Travelling solo!

1. Konkan

"Ganpati Bappa, Morya!!!!!" everyone exclaimed as they collectively broke a coconut at the commencement of their journey. In the group of approximately 20 individuals—15 boys and five girls—the evident engineering college ratio hinted at their academic background. The act of breaking a coconut in front of a vehicle indicated a forthcoming trip, given that they had arranged for transportation. This implied a journey extending beyond a single day, a substantial undertaking.

The unexpected element, however, lay in the composition of the group. With five girls among them, one might assume a different discipline. Contrary to expectations, this was, in fact, a Mechanical Engineering batch outing.

As the driver assigned to our jovial group asked "to fir chalein?", we started boarding the bus one by one. I had strategically positioned myself earlier, already seated and wanting absolutely nothing to do with the chaos unfolding outside. All I desired was to lay low—grab—my window seat, relish the cool breeze, and, well, just get the heck out of the city.

This whole escapade was entirely unexpected. If you had asked me just a day before, I would have scoffed at the notion of going on a trip. Semester exams loomed around the corner, we were in our final year, and placements were in full swing. Yet, here I was. I hadn't bothered preparing a resume or applying to any companies. Why? Because, in the department  of electronics engineering, core placements were as elusive as a cat chasing its own tail. So, why bother indeed? I just wanted to escape from all this for a few days.

Oh and... just a day prior, I had had a brutal breakup. Who am I kidding, this actually was the reason why I'd dumped my ass in that window seat within 8 hours of knowing such a trip was happening. 

The tale unfolded when I, an engineering student based in Mumbai, had a thing going on with a medical student located a thousand kilometres away. We'd met twice, chatted endlessly, and spoke over the phone enough to believe I knew her as well as any person possibly could. The catch? She was a medico, and I was an engineering student. Not my problem, but apparently, it was hers. Plus the physical distance in between obviously.

The friendship that once bloomed into something more hit a snag when she tentatively admitted she liked me. The very next day however, as girls often tend to do, she executed a perfect U-turn, claiming it was just a moment of weakness. Knowing this I promptly ceased all communication, "Go away" being my exact words. 

But alas, her friend thought it wise to inform me that she missed me terribly. Falling for the bait, I reached out again, only to discover she missed the attention she got from me more than she actually missed me.

In a moment of profound existential crisis, I mustered the courage to ask her if there was a future "us" possibility. She replied ambiguously. I wept like a character in a melodramatic soap opera. Ironically, this emotional turmoil occurred on the seashore. Drowning in the Arabian Sea seemed like a viable option, but I opted for the less soggy alternative. Wandering about 15 km from home, I realized my phone battery had given up entirely.

In my dire state, I decided to call the one person who could handle me, even though my phone had surrendered to the void. Funny how life takes you to the edge, and sometimes, the only way out is to dial up your most reliable friend and hope they have a charged phone.

With my phone battery rendered lifeless, I cast my eyes around, searching for any phone I can use,  when a passerby strolled into view. Judging by his worn-out attire and the visible signs of a day's toil, I could safely deduce he was a laborer, likely heading back home. Fortune favored me in the form of this unsuspecting fellow, and I seized the opportunity to resolve my communication problem.

Me: Bhai, my phone's dead . Can I use yours for a quick call?

Worker: (Nervously) Umm, I don't know. I've heard about too many phones snatchers being active in this area...