Dry Spell

It was a loco Friday. Most gas stations were hit by the strike by oil n gas firms and were running dry and typically more than half the Mumbaikars were caught unawares. Most of those who travelled by buses/trains and then took an autorickshaw to reach their work places were left pondering over the predicament. I for one couldn't decide which queue was the longest the one at the bus stop, the one at the railway ticket counter or the one outside the petrol pumps. Most people who weren't too far off placed like me decided to walk it out and it wasn't altogether unpleasant. I for one loved the fact that the roads had thin traffic and the air smelt less of exhaust smoke. Then there was the fact that money-otherwise-spent-on-rick saved and a great morining exrcise accomplished however involuntarily. Rumors flew thick as some said that the piped gas was next and soon we would all be either starving or eating raw rice and raw pulses for mere survival. Most people left for their homes early citing the long walk ahead.By the time i reached my place there was the all familiar long - now longer- queue for share-rick with exhausted, angry people waitin patiently for the few ricks that were still plying (it ain't easy walkin out for another half an hour after u have spent well over an hour atleast, squeezed tight in a crowded train or bus, standin on one foot or the other or maybe hanging out on the footboard for ur dear life). People were exhorted to lug it out esp. the young ones who could, the old, infirm and far off residents were allowed to stay in queue for the ricks. But the ever resourceful Mumbaikar is never far behind and soon we heard the quite welcome clippity cloppity sounds of a horse cart comin over. Now this horse n buggy is a familiar sight here in my place havin graced many a wedding ocassions over the years and to put it to such good use was such an ingenious thing to do. everyone appreciated it not jus the ingeniuty, also the novelty, afterall how many Mumbaikars do get an opportunity to ride a horse cart. The fee charged was quite nominal too. The whole turn of events brightened our day, all is not lost we can still fight n probably well survive the no-gasoline age yet.