Morning peace was trampled with sudden loud exchanges of
words. I was listening to a jugalbandi through my mobile headphone, eyes
closed, head tugged onto the wall of the metro coach. As the train stopped at
Ravindra Sarobar a team of half a dozen thronged into. For few minutes, I could
sense some loud noise, maybe some discussion going on which simply got
transferred from the platform into the coach giving not much of pause.
Many of the fellow passengers were relaxing with closed
eyes, some lucky ones who could manage a sit were dozing sideways onto the
fellow passengers as we have already crossed five stations. Gradually almost
all eyes got opened, some turning their heads to look at the appalling young
group which included two ladies as well. I recognised the bunch who often share
the same timing and the same coach in the metro.
Me tried to concentrate on the music composition which is
one of my favourite, a blend of Gurudev’s treasure composition with raag Behaag
in the voice of my two favourite singers, and a favourite sarodist. But as the
loud voices continued and the pitch did not subside, I unplugged my headphones
to understand anything serious. They
were little away and number of voices were crisscrossing, so I waited to catch
some of them so that I can understand the topic.
As apprehended, it was nothing serious to be alarmed. I
could hear that they were discussing some planning on picnic. Differences were
on the account of food menu and the liquor they will carry! Reason of loud exchanges,
they must be excited. These days, we don’t realise that while travelling in
public transport we must respect fellow passengers. That one must respect the
liberty of others. Surrounding mass may not be interested to listen what matters
to other. Sometimes we forget that we are not in our club house or in our
living room that we are free to speak in any volume and others have nothing
else to do other than listen to you, willing or unwillingly.
Another gentleman tapped me from side behind. “Naapben?” I
said, “No! why?” He said, “I will get off in the next station”. Wondering if I
am obstructing his path to the exit, I replied, “Who stops you? You are free to
go!”
