Overnight Bus Journey with an unknown lady sitting side by side
Yes, I traveled the entire night sitting side by side in a 2/2 microbus with a lady of 27 years old, Nepali seemingly newly married.
I remember the date, it was 29th December 2016, I took 5 pm bus from Birganj to Kathmandu ( Nepal).
Those who traveled long-distance journeys in Nepal that too in a public microbus, can easily understand, how terrible and dangerous that journey can be.
Nepal is a hilly region, hardly find a >2km long stretch of plain land. Most of the roads are with hilly rocks and mud. Multiple humps and potholes are key ingredients there. It will be very hard for a person to maintain body balance. When the bus plunges into a pothole, it will lean at 30 degrees angle or when it will cross any hump, the bus will jump accordingly.
Thus body touch between the two seated side by side in a microbus is inevitable.
Remember, each ticket has a discreet seat number, every person is supposed to seat on the assigned seat only.
Previously, I planned to catch a flight from Birganj to Kathmandu, but unfavorable weather conditions canceled the flight schedule. I had no other option left but to catch the night bus to reach Kathmandu. The bus journey is almost 15 hours.
The bus was fully packed, some of the passengers were even seated on the floor.
Most of the passengers were male and seemingly of labor class community., heavily drunk, and were uttering slangs in their vernacular language.
The lady was seated two rows before my seat along with a male person. Initially, I thought that a newly married lady ( wearing a red saree, Bindi, and having vermilion on her forehead). must be accompanied by her relatives. But ever since the bus started playing, she was screaming in a mild voice, I thought, it may be the reason for the frequently moving and jumping nature of the bus. But later, I came to know the real reason for her screaming.
The particular co-occupant ( aged greater than 60 years — seemingly of her father’s age, was intentionally trying to molest her). But the hard reality in Nepal is very much worried some. Ladies don’t enjoy adequate honor and prestige there. Had it been in India, some of the co-passengers would have risen up to protect that lady.
Around 9 pm, our bus took a halt at a place near riad side Dhaba, driver conductor said us to disembark and finish our night dinner by the next 30 minutes before the resume onward journey.
While I was talking about my dinner, that lady came to me and said in the Hindi language (“ can you request conductor to change seat beside you — since my co-passenger is constantly disturbing me”).
I was clueless, what to do, ( is it a trap for me — since I am a foreigner; will it bring any kind of peril for me, etc., etc.). Despite all anxiety and apprehension, I said yes. I found a sigh of relief in the face of the lady).
Anyway, after speaking to the conductor, I rearranged seating, provided the side of her window, and took the aisle for me.
It was the end of December, the winter season, the more our bus is climbing up, then I feel more and more cooling. Outside wind blowing like — piercing a needle into my body. The temperature was getting colder and colder, with the plying on the hilltop.
Although, it was not a soothing journey due to my fatigue, very soon I slept. When I woke up, I discovered that both I and that lady is covered up with a red woolen shawl and my head is put on her shoulder. The lady slowly uttered in Hindi ( can we get down to enjoy a cup of tea), I said yes.
It was around 5 am in the morning, the sun was about to up, faint white tender light rays were refracting through a cliff. For the first time, we exchanged our eyes, realized real feelings of calmness, mutual trust, and care. When I was trying to find a scope to start the conversation, she suddenly murmured ( you were looking shivering, your jacket was not enough to save you from the cool breeze, so, I expanded my woolen shawl to wrap up us. I put your head on my shoulder so that your head doesn’t get hurt. You slept the whole night on my shoulder, however, I couldn’t sleep just to ensure your sleep and good journey).
As long you are honest and modest in your intention and acts, such an incident generally takes place. I don’t know why did an unknown lady choose me as her safe and reliable co- passenger. I still remember that night and the lady, who left an indelible impression upon my mind.
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