It was a last minute programme. I was getting back to work, Ajay had to catch his ship, but Dinu having nothing else on the agenda, decided to tag along. We were to take the train from Delhi. I already had a reservation as my program was pre-planned, but Ajay and Dinu didn't have any. But we had learned of these agents who typically hung outside the reservation counter and who had longer hands than 'kanoon'. These guys sniffed around like the lady pimps on the juhu beach looking for a lonesome soul who sought for some solace in the arms of a stranger. The only difference was that these agents looked for troubled kids like us who were incapable of traveling by general compartment, and excellent face readers they were. As soon as we stood in one corner in that dingy reservation hall that morning, they surrounded us and asked us with a grin whether we wanted reservation. Before we could make up our minds, the thick wad of money somehow slipped from our hands into theirs. At first we remained hopeful, but after an hour we grew impatient. Even after repeated urges, muffled threats, and corporate style managerial talks by Mr. Rawat, we neither got the reservations nor our money back. We did get penetrating glances from the agents standing motionlessly, combing their moustache and plotting on how to steal our money without having to give us the tickets. But Mr. Rawat's political tricks did work in the end, and when it was only 10 minutes left for the train to depart, the agent handed over the tickets to us and told us that our names were not on the charts yet, but the TT knew about us and would accomodate us.
Next -> Is it TT or TTE? Whatever!
7 comments:
online from Singapore, at Faboulos Changi airport boarding back for India and availing one of their fine services.
Random thought that how we travel now,its easier but easy thrills cheasp or otherwise come from other things, Travelling in train these days even if no reservation its so easy for us to manipulate TTs but those days challenge was to get reservation without having to shell out any money.
online from Singapore, at Faboulos Changi airport boarding back for India and availing one of their fine services.
Random thought that how we travel now,its easier but easy thrills cheasp or otherwise come from other things, Travelling in train these days even if no reservation its so easy for us to manipulate TTs but those days challenge was to get reservation without having to shell out any money.
But these guys looted us even after we shelled out so much money. But eventually it gave us a story for our blog.
Alok! you always got duped.
It was'nt January infact thick of summers, Gulati had accompanied us from doon to Delhi he vomitted in between and than smoked caling 'Its his style'.You stayed in YMCA it was 1995 or 1996.Ajay had a freind called DOPEY who was fond of GRASS, i came back early and this trip was after i had made trip for interview for O& M and was before the trip of summer of '96 when i went with Mayank and satyed at your Borivali flat.
I am thinking January because I think this was right after our engagements. Yes, Gulati accompanied us as well. We sat on the back bench in the bus and chain smoked.
Maybe if its engagement than you must be right people do not misplace such events.
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