Oh,Kolkata!

As the train made its way to Howrah station,the rain gods were in no mood to relent. It still poured. There was water-logging even at the car shed and the train trudged on slowly bearing the burden of scores of hapless passengers like me. Time was running out and I had to reach office on time.

After a patient wait of 20 agonising minutes,the train finally reached Howrah station. Keeping in mind the time constraints and the inclement weather,I took no chances and made my way to the taxi stand instead of my usual journey in the launch to Babughat. However,the gods had other plans as when I reached the taxi stand,there were no taxis around. Another 10 minutes of wait and with the help of a friendly cop,I managed to get a taxi. As the taxi left the station premises,I felt relieved. I may be a little late but finally I will reach office,I assured myself.

They say man proposes and god disposes. For as the cabbie approached Strand Road,the taxi came to a screeching halt. As I curiously tried to find out what was amiss,I soon realised the reason for this abrupt halt. Taxis and cars,buses and mini-buses were standing bumper-to-bumper. The poor traffic sergeants were trying their best to clear the logjam. Another painstaking 20 minutes later,there was some headway and the cars were finally moving. I felt as if I would end up in office at last,albeit an hour late!

As luck would have,it when the taxi was meandering its way along NS Bose Road near Dalhousie,the cabbie very apologetically said,“Didi amar taxir meter ta kharap hoye geche. Aar niye jete parbo na apnake.” (Sorry,sister. My taxi meter is not working. I won’t be able to take you further)”. At this I felt completety devastated. How could all this happen? First the rains,then the traffic jams and now this…?

Fed up,I took out my brolly and started walking towards my office. As I crossed the General Post Office I realised another ordeal was waiting to happen. The streets were flooded and I had to wade through almost knee-deep water to reach my office.

Left with no choice,I rolled up my salwar and started walking. The water was as dirty as one could imagine. It was filthy and looked almost as black as soot. I felt I would soon throw up in such unhygenic conditions.

Buses were passing by. They splashed all the slush around leaving me all wet. At last I made my way to my office.

My joy knew no bounds. I felt like a sailor who had just discovered land after being stranded in the high seas for months on end. As I took the office lift,I said to myself : “Oh,what a day!!!”