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Saturday, September 5, 2009

Delhi, O Delhi…

I stretched my tired limbs as I got off the train. But I couldn’t take too long to stretch like a lazy cat. I had to watch over my precious luggage. After all, this was Delhi.

After wading through rows upon rows of seedy, betel-chewing men, offering rides in autos and taxis, I made it outside. (The tone in which they spoke made them more likely to be pimps than auto-drivers, so I stayed clear of them. After all, this was Delhi.)

Eventually, once outside, I breathed in the fetid air, and caught hold of a somewhat non-shady auto-driver. After bidding goodbyes to all friends and peers, this friend of mine and I sat down in the auto, having negotiated the necessary fare. (The auto-wallah claimed that the meter didn’t work. After all, this was Delhi.)

Right next to the station, there was a massive traffic jam with people honking all around. The prompt and worldly-wise auto-wallah promptly mouthed a few obscenities aimed at someone’s mothers and sisters, looked at us for support, and proceeded to carve out a route by going against traffic in a one-way lane. After all, this was Delhi.

The next day, at the bus stop, I saw the usual urchins leering at the pretty girls, the crowd rushing to get on to the already overflowing bus, the conductor trying to fit everyone into the bus, and passengers shoving others in. After all, this was Delhi.

And now, at midnight, as the dust settles, I look at the city lights twinkling merrily at me. I hear the sounds of the city, as it whispers to me. I hear its heartbeat, I hear its plaintive cries asking for relief from what we are doing to it. I feel one with it, I feel as if I belong…for, I am its soul.

After all, this is … Delhi!

10 comments:

Vinita Apte said...

hey nice post :) you have changed the layout too....looks really great

Sumit said...

Thanks Vinita... :)

Unknown said...

That was some Delhi-bashing! :D After staying here for 81.8181% of my life, I couldn't have agreed with u more! :)

"The prompt and worldly-wise auto-wallah promptly mouthed a few obscenities aimed at someone’s mothers and sisters" Hahaha.
There was there this auto-wallah who kept honking right behind inspite of it being a red-signal. Once it went green, he brought his auto right next and started hurling mother-sister obscenities at me. Now what sense does it make saying this to a girl. :D So once he was done, I said, "Ye ho sakta toh tum is duniya mein nahi hote. Ghar jaake muh phenyl se dho lena" and brushed past. It's a strange world. :)

Welcome to THE city. :)

P.S. I wonder why your auto-wallah had to mention about the meter not working. The meters never work here. We work on 'Whatever he quotes' minus Rs. 20 basis. After all, this is Delhi.

Sumit said...

ROTFL!! Phenyl, ugh!! Btw, brilliant repartee by you. Kudos! :)

N said...

oye o...maana kaafi kharab hai, par hai to saadi dilli yaar. kuch achha bhi bol dete! :P

Sumit said...

:o Arre Nikita, last para mein bola toh! :| (even though it is in the same tone as "sau mein se 80 beimaan, phir bhi mera bharat mahaan")

A journey called Life said...

nice write up.. bittersweet in ur inimtable style

Anonymous said...

Very nice post Sumit. Welcome back! To blogging that is :)

You not very fond of Delhi it seems... :)

Sarsij said...

nice post......
but itna gussa kyun hai bhai......maana ki ye Delhi hai....jisme Dil nahin hai...but still..... :)

Nandita Mathews said...

:),super!