For the first time I feel releived because we have a protocol called 'bribing'.Well I am not exactly proud of being a benefactory of corruption.But still.Now before I start a lecture on 'corruption' and your fingers itch for the Alt+F4 combination,let me relate my goof-up with the traffic police.
It was just another 'I aint doing anything productive' day.I woke up late and my parents were visibly angry.It was an ordeal for me to place a smile on their faces.I decided I needed to do something praiseworthy.I tried pursuading myself that my summer project deserved a hard copy.A month had passed.It was high time. But you already have a soft copy on your comp?Think about how many trees you can save......Lets see Friends instead", quipped my other self. I had had enough of debating already.I will do it today.I resolved.Dad gave a smile.Wow,things were working out.And before that smile could wear off ,I set out to get the job done.
Mom quips, "Aaj suraj kahan se nikla hai?"
Dad suggests,"Beta, bike ke papers le lo.checking ho sakta hai."
I get a premonition.Is Dad's words an omen , one that The Alchemist preaches to look out for.The other self tries to pacify me as I voice out," Dont worry.I will manage."
So I set out for the main market place.Clad in clean formals,helmet on my head,a driving licence in my pocket ( I only brought it along because I wanted to get a Xerox of it done. ),and an idle sun overhead.Nothing could go wrong.I comforted myself and the speedometer touched 40.
3 hours pass.
Finally,I have a bound copy of my project in my hand,sweat on my forehead and a wallet 300 bucks lighter.I seek forgiveness from my other self.I should have saved the trees and myself too from all this trouble.Anyways I start on my return journey. Now before you proceed let me tell you that traffic situation in Ranchi is really getting worse with the vehicle density going off limits.
Vigilant,I slowed down my bike. I take a U-turn and suddenly I see that I am the only one on the road.Wow..some accomplishment.Am I that smart?But the next thing I see is a traffic constable coming towards me.Everyone wants a free ride in this place. I smile . I get ready to welcome the constable but he speak first.With a mischivious smile,he says,"signal tod ke bhag raha hai.chal gadi side laga."
I turn stone.Am I being caught by the traffic police?Is this actually happening?
I am paraded up to the police incharge.Now interestingly, this guy is strikingly similar to the corrupt Bihari policemen they show in movies.I smile.It aggrevates his anger.Clad in a khakhi, a body like Hagrid with a near-falling stomach, thick white moustaches and betal juice dripping from the sides of his mouth,he sure looks intimidating.
I find out his name is 'Bade Sahib'.
BS-kya ji!! gadi chalana nahin aata?
I - Sir,actually sir mujhe pata nahin chala sir ki signal nahi mila hai sir.sorry sir.
Wow.How polite I am.I must have given a good impression.
Now I dont know whether it was one of their tactics.He takes out his walkie-talkie and speaks into it.Check post 7 reporting.Sab theek hai.
I sweep off beads of perpiration that had appeared on my forehead.I feel like a terrorist.
BS- aaj kal ke ladke bhi..chalo licence dikhao. ab hum kya karein.
I give my licence.Thank goodness I was carrying it.
BS (dissapointed after seeing the licence) - paper laye ho?dekho rule to rule hai.aur main hun rules ka pakka.
I - Sir actually papers to actually ghar pe hain.Aap bolo toh le ke aa jaon sir.Actually Sir main college student hun sir.yahan report banane aaya tha sir.
BS - tab bike ki chabhi de do.Hum kuch nahin kar sakte.
I- Sir fine kitna hoga Sir?please sir thoda consider keejiye sir.main student hun sir.NIT mein padhta hun sir.Bahut help hoga Sir.
BS - hum kya kerein jee.dekho agar fine lagata hun main toh signal todne ka 900 aur paper nahi hone ka 900....tum 1800 de do aur chale jao.baat karte ho...
He looks up to me.I make the most pathetic sympathy-asking face.He comes to the point.
BS- kitna paise hai tumhare pass.dekho hum acche aadmi hain.student ho chod deta hun.100 rupees de ke chale jaao.
What a relief.I feel as if I am acquited from murder charges.
BS - beta,hum bolte hain theek se gadi chalao.Ab dhyan rakhna.
I -thank you very much Sir.Main aapka help nahin bhoolunga.I am sorry.
(Read **@#@ &*&#@#&****)
As I drove back,I realised how foolish was I not to read the omens.How lucky was I to evade punishment.I realised how easy and alluring is bribery and corruption.I disparaged my conviction to fight this social evil.
I needed to grow stronger.
