“The next metro with destination Jahangirpuri is now arriving on platform number two. Please allow the passengers to de-board first…”
But how can they? All middle aged ladies would rather elbow their way into the metro fighting the people getting off in order to get a seat. Yes I’m talking about the ladies coach of the Delhi metro. Overweight aunties fighting their way inside, just so that they can squeeze into the seats, which are a little too small for them. What they would otherwise have done is ask men to offer them the seat but that couldn’t be, as here there are none. So instead when they see a teeny tiny opening they ask the people around to shift and they butt in. Like literally slide their butt in! They don’t seem to care about the amount of space they get as long as they get to sit. And the rest of the travelers may get squeezed to death for all they care.
For those unfortunate ladies who don’t get to sit, they eye the people sitting with the most menacing stares. If looks could kill…poof! Girls cower under such stares and stand up for these aunties. It’s as if they could make you explode with their minds. As soon as you get up they would give you the sweetest smile and insist that they are happy standing! Such pretense I tell you. On the other hand, girls who don’t stand up and put up a brave front are met with a different fate. They get the prestigious task of holding the auntie’s baggage. Be it her purse or her shopping bags and sometimes even her kid!
The real pursuit begins as soon as one seat gets empty. All standing aunties would lunge towards that seat knocking down whoever comes in their way, profusely apologizing after being seated. They would even offer their seat to the closest aunty out of politeness knowing that the offer won’t be accepted. It’s kind of an honor among aunties to fight for your own seat. Once seated, they give that triumphant smile to all their poor counterparts who couldn’t get that vacant seat. Ah the satisfaction of winning is so clear in their faces.
I guess that’s the quest the metro puts up to all its travelers! A trivial thing like a seat becomes a life changing phenomenon. Weird eh? It’s like once you enter a metro station, one goes in some sort of stance and an empty seat becomes the most important thing, a thing worth fighting for. So be it. It’s not all that bad fighting with aunties after all, especially if you win!
2 comments
NIDHI says:
Jul 10, 2012
true that :D
Prabhas Tiwari says:
Jul 27, 2012
Loved it! It feels henious, being a guy, when aunties, who should try to first fill the ladies compartment, ask me, ” beta yeh ladies seat hai”.
Sometimes on a long tiring day I wish there was a gents reserved seat too.
Nice article! :)