More than just a ride

The wave of happiness that set in at the sight of an empty bus was simply unexplainable. | Photo Credit: Getty Images As I sit back and picture my college days, the endless and crowded bus journeys vividly cross my mind. What started out as the most tiresome part of the day soon became a routine with a tad bit of comfort. With a huge crowd huddled at the bus stop during the peak hours of the day,it truly felt like the survival of the fittest, those who were strong battled their way into the bus while the meek were left behind on an endless pursuit of waiting for the next bus.Amid all this chaos, the wave of happiness that set in at the sight of an empty bus was simply unexplainable. Yet, the fight for the window seat remained eternal, the calculated moves people made to secure a seat in a crowded bus was something to be appreciated. The most memorable rides were the one with friends whose presence made me forget the long journey as we chatted our way through the rides filled with gruelling traffic.A mode of transport that brought to light people from different backgrounds. One could see college students in their own world with ear plugs blaring music loud enough to cancel out the hums of human activities, school children clinging to their parents hoping not to be squished by the crowd, corporate employees lost in their thoughts, flower vendors bringing a beautiful scent into the bus with a bag full of blossoms large enough to block the aisle and then came the conductor tirelessly shuttling back and forth through the packed aisle making sure everyone gets a ticket; which was almost a live example of how determined humanity can be.It was not just a ride but a lesson in resilience and patience. Consumed by my college life such things often went unnoticed but deep down inside subconsciously it had a profound impact that would be cherished forever more.shreyasundar1104@gmail.com Published - August 13, 2026 12:37 pm IST