The Auto Driver

I woke up to another scorching day in Delhi, harsh sunlight screaming through the door and the hot, sultry wind killing what little calm I had in me. After finishing my daily chores, packing my lunch, filling water in the cooler, I got ready for work.
“Off to office in this sweltering heat,” I spoke out loud.
Now, anyone who has lived in Delhi and uses public transport would know there is a strange section of people called auto drivers. They have the magical ability to make even Gandhi violent.
I have had my share of such creatures on a regular basis and a day doesn’t go when I don’t have to negotiate the fares with them. “Meter se chalo:” That’s my mantra. “Meter nahin chalta”: That’s their mantra. (Surprisingly their meter is working fine since the auto fares have been increased).
Now I can go on and on about these Devil’s gift to mankind. And believe me, there is a lot I can say about them. But this is not my story.

***

The auto driver waited near the small lane, as the hot wind blew around him. He felt too lazy to go towards the main road, where he would probably get more passengers. But he just sat in his auto, smiling wistfully as he saw the busy shopaholics passing by. He noticed a girl walking fast and carrying a big bag, two bags actually, deftly manouvering her umbrella, her mobile phone and a packet of mangoes.
“Auto! ITO?” I shouted?
He nodded. We negotiated, luckily he agreed on a decent fare and we started. Now there are some auto drivers who like to talk. This was one of them.
As we gave our expert opinions on the latest fare increase, he asked, “How much do you get in office?”
I was a little taken aback. “Rs 20,000,” I lied for some reason. Maybe to justify the fact that I am a poor girl and therefore cannot pay the new exorbitant fares. “Savings per month?” he asked.
“Around Rs 5,000, on a good month,” I said.
“How much have you studied?” he seemed interested.
“Well, I have done my M.A.” I said, not sure where was this going.
As I said that, he turned to me and smiled proudly: “That’s good, very good. People who let daughters go for higher education are good people.”
I smiled and said, “I am an only child, but yes, my parents are good people.”
Now, I work for a business daily, I am surrounded by news about investments, expenditure, revenues blah blah blah. And blah. But here in front of me, readers, was a budding entrepreneur. And for the next 20 minutes, as we passed Lodhi Road, Pandara Road, India Gate and proceeded towards Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, the Auto Driver chose to share his grand business plan with me.
“Beti, I have three sons,” he said proudly. “The elder one is doing his MSc in Chemistry, the second one is doing BA in Physics and the youngest one is in 11th class and he will study Math.”
I nodded, impressed at his studious sons. (I sucked at all three subjects).
He continued. “After finishing his MSc, the elder one will take tuition classes for a couple of years, till the other two brothers finish their studies. The money won’t be much, teaching doesn’t really pay that well. Look, how much you are saving in spite of being so educated.”
I nodded again, sad at the unpleasant truth.
“So!” he beamed, “You know what my plan is? I will open a Coaching Centre!” he shouted over the traffic horns.
“My elder boy will teach Chemistry, the second one Physics and the youngest boy will teach Math. Physics, Chemistry, Math!
“Then if we get up to 100 students also, we will have a decent income. Of course, there will be salaries for the receptionist, one or two other employees, bills and taxes. But still we will earn up to 20 lakh per month!
“The revenues will be divided into three equal halves among my three sons, after all they are teaching one subject each. That way there won’t be any conflict between them.
“Then I will make my own house, I will stop driving this auto, gradually we will earn in crores and we will be Rich!”
I was totally engrossed in his plans. I like people who plan their finances well. And he explained everything so systematically. But we had arrived at my stop and so I wished him all the best and left. I think he was still saying something.
There are times you meet interesting people, who may not say anything new, but you still remember them. He was one of those guys. After all, everything starts with a dream, doesn’t it? I smiled to myself and walked inside the office, as the cool wind of the AC greeted me.
But this is not my story.

***

The Auto Driver saw the girl with the bags rushing inside the big building. He again had that wistful smile back. He started his auto and started towards his house as his shift ended for the day. He thought, “She seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say. Nowadays kids don’t have time for anything. I wish I had a daughter… Or three sons.”

The End


** The last paragraph was a figment of my imagination. I really hope for the Auto Driver’s sake that what all he said was true and his dreams do come true.**