Hands tied and mouth shut!!...

I could have taken a thrilling ride on my bike than sitting drowsy in a KSRTC, to my way home. Even though the journey takes about 1.5 hrs to cover just 40 kms, i prefer to enjoy the scenario than a dash on my bike.

As usual, the rush was awesome. I was tired of waiting for the bus, while passengers kept the terminal busy and crowded. Most of them were students, and we have our on strategies to get a seat, no matter how crowded the bus was.
After much awaited time, came the mighty creaky KSRTC bus. It took a curve as it entered the terminal, and everyone would be surprised by the way in which it defies gravity..
I saw a battalion running towards the bus, obviously, towards the door side. Me, on the other hand ran towards a window on driver's side, and handed over my luggage to a guy sitting by window side.
There was no need for hurry. I got into the bus, and looked for my seat. I saw the label,"LADIES ONLY" right above my seat, even though it was striken with a dull coloured paint.
Unwilling to take a chance, i moved to a seat one row ahead, which was right behind the driver...Driver's side is an advantage. The journey will be headed towards South, so that i won't get exposed to hot burning sunlight, as i occupied the Eastern side.
I didn't get a window seat, and to be precise, i was just behind the engine.Still i felt happy..I talked with guys seated near to me, and a while later, the bus moved out of terminal. And i, as usual, fell asleep in no time........


I was awaken by a tickling sensation that ran over my left arm..What was it?!., A spider?...A giant ant?..I looked around. Journey had reached half the way, but i was still looking for the creature. Again!!.... the same thing happened..
This time, i got a glance. It was the dangling end of a ladies' "shaall" (so called dupatta), which whirled along with the wind. And should i mention that i was curious to see her face?..
But all my curiosity was blown off with the flagging on her forehead, which we call "Sindoor"...Still she was beautiful...But there was a cue of worry on her face.Well everyone have problems, right?

I got astonished when that lady was joined by another one, more or less of her same age, with the same expression on her face...They seemed to murmer and looked at me, and everyone around them.
Moments passed, as i heard a set of arguments from a man standing besides us. He began with a tone of pleading, followed by arrogance. So was a lady, but she spoke English. Things are strange when you hear a foreign language while in a bus.
Either they want to conceal some secret from common illetrate passengers, or they want to speak out their frustrations, which may sound absurd if told in our mother tongue.
I got the situation.

A Man standing right near to them was taking advantage of the rush, and found a good time, playing some mischievous acts on both the ladies. Sounds so silly, but worst of the worst.
And this bloody fellow kept on arguing,..on and on and on.....While arguing, men have advantage. They raise their voice loud and clear enough for the entire crowd, while ladies maintain a low profile.
My blood was pumping faster and faster (as usual, an adrenaline shoot up ), that one more word from his mouth could make me stand up and bang my fist on his face.
But i stood still....With my hands tied, and mouth shut....He kept on arguing...I sticked to that same old position...To be sincere, i couldn't speak out, or do something favorable to the ladies.
Did i behave like a coward?...

TINNNNnnnnn!!!......

The bus came to a halt..
The bell sounded louder, and sustained until the silence was broken by the conductor's voice. Even though the conductor warned the man to stay away from the ladies' side, he was in th very same position for a very long time.
It was this what made the conductor ring the bus bell like a church bell. No surprise - he handled the situation well. No abusive languages, but the firm and polite dialogues compelled the man to obey what the conductor told him. 
For the first time, he agreed his fault, and stayed away....

While sipping coffee from the next terminal, i was thinking and criticizing myself. I witnessed one of the worst deeds that should not be done by a man to a lady.
As a man, i realized the seriousness...
I saw the worry and fear on both the ladies' faces. I realized its seriousness too...
As i am a brother,.... as i am a son.
Then what the hell caused my hands to be frozen and mouth shut?...
Tomorrow, i will face another situation. May be i would be an officer responsible to the public. How is it justifiable if i keep my hands tied and mouth shut?.
I should respond. I should react...Otherwise, i would belong to a group of citizens incapable of raising voice against injustice. Today i belonged to that group.
Right from this moment, i belong to the another group of individuals, who are fearless, smart and intellectually enlightened....
Guys and gals,...lets join our hands...

Don't keep your hands tied...
And mouth shut!!......