(Y)en Route No. 7

Till recently, I used to travel in a bus - Route No. 7, one of the most wonderful buses this blogger has ever seen, in my life and times at SSN, not because we used to party everyday in it or have interesting females to gawk at, but beacuse of its sleep-inducing cushioned seats - a rare privilege enjoyed by few students in the entire population at SSN.

My sweet spot in the bus used to be a two-seater, mostly occupied by me, during first two years there. It was midway, amongst all the two-seaters. I used to feel that I had my own place in that bus. I used to feel happy. I could read any book, lech at pretty girls, if any, outside, hum a tune, and most of all sleep, without anyone nudging me and giving me vibrations in addition to those produced by the bus, thanks to the shocking shock-absorbers it had.

Seniors were a pivotal part of my college-bus-life. I must say, I had the most wonderful of the lot in my bus for four years. Fourth year, I was a senior. But that apart, I had a great time vibing well with most of them. The most significant part of a person's college life, I believe, is to have a great rapport with his/her seniors. Its a really good feeling to know them, the things they tell you, their perspectives, and experiences, despite the fact that you yourself will be a senior one day. But that is not the heart of the matter. I just can't say enough. If you haven't known your seniors, atleast some of them, during your college life, you really missed something, and didn't live through the experience fully. Thats my opinion, atleast.

There used to be a time when I used to be so 'in' their circle, that I even used to rile one or two among them and get beaten up(in a friendly manner). Gawdd, I miss those times!

Our college is located at the far end of humanity, so long, so apart, that you cannot help but sleep. The thing with sleeping inside the bus is that, even though you might hear horns honk, and girls giggle, if you have a silent partner(sadly I had only males sit beside me) beside you, and if they aren't too bony, you can rest your head on their shoulders and slumber comfortably. Head & Shoulders!

I'm reminded of a really hilarious incident that happened way back in my first year. Wouldn't seem so funny if told. You had to be there to laugh your guts out. Anyways, there was our bus going through Nelson Manickam road, as always. It stopped at this usual bus stand, that was opposite Food World. Immediately, a very old paati climbed up the stairs and found a seat besides one of the students in a three seater. Driver says - "Hayyo !!" and hits his head in despair. Just then everyone realises what happened and we all burst into laughter. Driver to cleaner - "Dei, atha erakki vidu da" ("Get that out of the bus"). We must have laughed nonstop for atleast five minutes.

One other feature of every other bus, leave alone Route No. 7, was 'Bus Day'. Its one of those days wherein you find an excuse to have fun, throwing colours at one another, and whatnot resulting in colossal wastage of pepsi, chips and cake, all by pouring and smearing over each others face. Damn! One of the reason why I didn't take much to it. Its orchestrated entirely with the help of juniors, with contribution of money and whatnots in this way:

1st Years - 60% :((
2nd Years - 30% :(
3rd Years - 10% or 0% ;)
4th Years - Middle finger! :))

It is the general policy of 3rd years to collect money from the other juniors and appropriate appropriate amounts from it and use the rest to run the show. Sadly, I never got to be the collector when I was in 3rd year. Bad math and management skills, I guess.

All that is now over and long gone.

- Posted in the nostalgia of all those wonderful seniors and juniors that I've jostled alongwith en Route No. 7 . You ROCK guys!