The girl I met on bus

She was the conductor (the person who gives bus ticket) of the bus I boarded that day. She was young and I had never seen her before so I assumed she was new. She took my notice because she was wearing the same type of jacket I had thought of buying. Weird reason to notice a person, you must be thinking. Anyway, I noticed her and that’s the essence.

I heard her complaining to the driver that she doesn't have 5 Rs coins for change and that it is a problem. I, beforehand, had decided to give a 500 Rs note for ticket as I was in need of 100s. After hearing her conversation with the driver, I wondered what she would say to me when she sees my 500 Rs note. I imagined her yelling at me for not giving her the exact amount. Well, that is path that most of the conductors resort to when given a chance to accept a 500 or 1000 Rs note. With a smile, she came to me. I thought, 'Hmm, this smile's death is near'. Seeing my 500 Rs note, she was disappointed a bit, but still held the smile. She asked me politely "Do you have 5Rs?” "Oh Yes, I do. Here it is", I said. I was more than happy to give her a 5 so that I can get the 100s that I desperately need. I gave her 5 and she gave me the ticket and the balance amount.

As I had nothing else to do, I started watching her. She was really sweet. Every time somebody entered the bus, she went to them and gave tickets with a smile. And every time she got the smile back. The bus was quiet and there were only a few people in the bus. The driver started talking to her. I guess this was her first day at office a.k.a bus. The driver asked her about her mother. She said "I don't have, sir". He asked "What about your father?”. She said "I don't have, sir". "So who do you have?” She said "Nobody, sir" The driver asked some other things which I could not follow. I was already lost in thoughts of her.

Despite having nobody in this world as her own, she was pleasant and was spreading smiles. My thoughts wandered to some people at office, the people whom I avoid if I can. Some of them, despite having enough (and more) money, family and all that they need, complain about something or the other always. Some people are so negative minded that after a few minutes of conversation with them, we will feel sick. I compared them with this girl. This girl had such a pleasant demeanor that I found myself carrying the same pleasantness along with me even long after getting down from the bus. I wish everybody was pleasant like her.