Oh! When will the traffic signal turn Red?

I was in hurry to rush home today, for I have to go and prepare food for my family.

Family!! Ah we are only two people now. Still travelling one and half hour in this traffic is definitely a daily terror I go through.

It was as usual rush hours. Lots of bikes, many cars, auto rickshaws and yes Buses; and I am in one of those BMTC Buses now, trying to take a glance of what others are doing.

Here’s what took my attention today - Two kids trying to cross the road in the heavy traffic of Bangalore.

Two young boys, the kind of care they share for each other, it feels as if they are siblings.

One is around 6 years and the other is... umm... would be around 8 years.

They were holding their hands tight and were coming forward to cross the road.

However, the high speed vehicles, rather the iron animals were filling fear in them every time they pass in front of them.

They came a little forward from the bus stop and looked to the right is some vehicle is coming.

Yes, there are … however, they are far away

The younger one looked at the elder one. However, the elder was constantly keeping an eye on the vehicles which were coming fast.

By seeing what brother is doing he too looked at the road.

They moved a little forward. Alas, the vehicle reached to them very fast and they again rushed back still holding each other’s hand a bit tightly now.

Again back to the same place from where they had started.

They waited till the vehicles pass.

Yes, now the road is clean and the vehicles are far away.

“We can move now!” was the feeling.

They held each other’s hand again and started to move.

Bad luck, within few seconds they were in the middle of the road and the vehicles rushed near them.

They are in the middle of the road, standing still as a statue.

If they move a little forward or backward, they will be crushed or at least will be throw away to a short distance.

The drivers without even taking the responsibility of their fault would start scolding them and would make a big mess out there.

They would stop every other driver and passerby and would make unnecessary noise so that no one could dare to blame the driver.

Murmuring God’s name they are holding their hands tight, very tight and are trying to control the other, not to move.

The wind is waving their little hairs; the fear on their innocent face is obvious now.

The only thing they can see now is the head lights of the cars, bikes, auto rickshaws and the busses.

Waiting for when the traffic signal would turn Red and they could cross the road safely is the only prayer they are doing now.

“Oh! When will the traffic signal turn Red?” - that’s the only thought going on in my mind too.

God save these poor little children, who have determined to face this busy and cruel world and their cruelty.

Ah! My Bus is moving now a little forward. All the passengers are in. God! Please turn the light Red.

RED

Phew… finally the children could cross the road. They are Relaxed now and thanked God by the usual gesture we Indians have, touching our throat and fore-head with our hand.

Thank God! Thanks for helping these kids in their start of their journey for the struggle they have to face in this fast paced world.

Catch you in the next blog...

~ Mili