The Unanswered Questions (#YourStoryIndia)

The Auto Ride

I stepped out of the college gates as the 3 o'clock sun blazed on my face. It was hard to believe how hot it could sometimes get in Pune. This place is know for its decent weather. But, for the past couple of weeks, the weather has been pathetic. Surprising us with unpredictable rains and sun. It was unusual for me. On top of that, I am not very comfortable with sudden weather changes. Today was one such day. I had taken an early leave due to a throbbing sensation in my head. I felt nauseous. Part of the reason also being that I had only slept for two hours the night before. I wasn't used to sleeping at 4:30 and getting up two hours later just to finish off my assignments.

I winced at the sun which only sent a sharp shooting pain in my head. I groaned while blocking the sun out of the way and waited for an auto rickshaw. Our college buses normally started to ride just after 5:00. So, I had no choice except to either walk to the hostel or take an auto. Clearly walking was out of the question.

"Maidam! It's would be 40 rupees!" The rickshaw driver argued with a senior from my hostel.

"And why is that?" The senior argued back.

"The roads were blocked so, I got you through a different route!" The driver exclaimed.

"Ugh! Fine! Here. I am done arguing anyway!" The girl snarled at him and stomped into to college. I didn't bother to even rethink as to why the autowala took a longer, different route. I just hopped in and ask the driver to take me back to the hostel.

"There is a bloody road block! Why can't people get it!" The driver mentioned in utter frustration. I didn't pay the slightest attention. Instead, I hummed away to Stitches by Shawn Mendes through my earphones. The driver kept quiet until he started the speak again. I was pretty sure he couldn't figure out I had my earphones on considering the fact that they were hidden my waves. I wanted to ask him to shut up. But, I unpluged my earphones instead. And believe me, I am happy I did.

"These people you see in these slums live here for ages now. These poor people have this as their home now. I do agree it was not allowed at the beginning for them to settle down here. But, no one stopped them. And that these people have settled here, the government has ordered the police to take action and break these house." He said nearly in tears. Something clenched my heart. I hated this feeling. Sure it was a blessing but, I had other issues to handle and if I start thinking about the people living in the slums, I don't know what will happen. I might overthink about the dread the people living in these areas must be going through. And probably drink-up my silence. I didn't want that. That was one thing I didn't like. I didn't want cry looking at other people's pain and sorrows.

"First, you don't question their settlement and now that everything was becoming better, you cut off gas, water, rashan and salary?" The driver said while waiting for an answer by me.

For the first time in a while, I didn't have anything to say. I was dumbstruck.

"People didn't question their settlement, And now, when the government wants their land or something, they forget their promises and commitmens. Our governments need to learn a lot. First is definitely commitment." I tried just hoping that my not-so-good answer didn't make me look like an idiot.

The driver just nodded. I sighed knowing that he didn't understand.

I wave of relief washed over me as I paid the driver and entered the hostel gates. However, I couldn't stop my mind hovering over the people who were standing on road to protesting and protecting there homes.

Will our society not get over the fact that people are people regardless of class, cast, creed, gender, nationality etc? Or will we still demean a fraction of the society just because of their status and "untidiness" within the so-called majestic gates we fondly call as society?

Where in the world is humanity now?