Chalna hai Bhaiya?

Nahi Madam, Bhada hai!

That would be enough for my temper to soar. What would follow then would be an enriching drama, much to the amusement of the onlookers. No amount of cajoling or throwing lines like, ‘I know the DSP of this area’ would yield any results. The autowalas would simply refuse to ferry me as I traveled short distances.

This was me in Delhi some four to five years back, where you could see me fretting on the road until some autowala sympathized and offers a ride at extra charges. There would also be days when I would walk long distances just to locate an auto, who would then refuse to go. This situation continued till I began using my car, vowing never to take autos.

Then imagine my frustration as I shifted to Mumbai and had to commute by auto once again. There seemed to be no choice unless you liked driving and getting stuck in jams. The auto-fear was so huge that I almost thought of not taking up a job.

However, the undying spirit that Mumbai is famous for made me think otherwise. I mulled upon the people here who would get up early, finish their household chores and rush to travel in over-crowded trains to their places of work, braving the people, the heat and the sweat. In front of their ordeal, were my attempts to catch an auto even huge?

No it wasn’t. But there was a difference, I debated with myself.

In a train journey, someone could burp right into your face or shove you hard, making you lose your balance or simply make you feel claustrophobic by coming too close. However amid all these discomforts, you have the assurance of reaching your destination on time, no matter what. An auto could never guarantee you that. Moreover, what frustrates you is the feeling of being cheated and made to look like a fool. The moment they say bhada hai, you know it is an excuse for not travelling short distance. It is this feeling of being subjected to something ‘unjust’ that becomes unbearable in this whole auto drama.

But after much thought, I decided to give Mumbai autos a shot.

First day of work

Gearing up for the usual round of arguments and vehemently promising myself to maintain my cool, I stepped out of my apartment to find an auto. I found couple of them standing. That’s a good omen to begin with.

Chalna Hiranandani?

Haan Madam.

Did he just say Haan Madam! Was I dreaming? I was jubilant to find an auto driver who agreed for a ride in the first instant. Small joys of life. That was day one that ended well.  

Next day I waked down wondering if I would be as lucky as yesterday. I heard someone call – Madam, idhar. It turned out to be the same driver. I got in smiling.

In the coming days, it became a ritual to find him waiting for me. I slowly got to know him, driver Satpal. One day I decided to thank him for agreeing to the small distance and saving me the pain of catching an auto.

To which he replied, “Arrey madam, aap acchha bhada ho! Phele din jab mein ne aap ko drop kiya, accha kamai hua tha. Aur har din ho raha hain. Acchha bhada ho aap” (Arrey, madam, you are good rental. The first day I dropped you, I earned very well. And it has been continuing that way ever since)

I did not know whether to laugh or to be shocked – me a bhada, a rental!

The bhada bit did not stop there. There were days when I would step out and auto drivers would shout, “Satpal, bhada ageya hai”(Stapal, your rental has come) or “yeh madam Satpal ka bhada hai.” (This madam is Satpal’s rental.) Once when Satpal was on leave, I could hear an autowala persuading another by saying, “Madam ko le chalo, accha bhada hai.” (Please ferry madam, she is a good rental)

For long, I was confused whether to be angry at being called a bhada or to be amused at the sheer audacity of the situation. But then I chose to be amused, for it is not every day that auto drivers think you are a good omen and agree to short distances. Moreover, from bhada hai to accha bhada hai, I have come a long way!