The Last Seat on the 5 PM Bus: A Lucknow Story
The clock on my office wall finally hit 5:00 PM, releasing me from a day of deadlines and endless emails. Like every other office-goer in Lucknow, my next mission was simple: get home. This meant braving the bustling streets and conquering the final boss of my daily commute: the city bus. As I pushed through the throng at the bus stop, the familiar blue and white bus pulled up, already packed. I squeezed my way on, clutching my bag to my chest, my eyes scanning the interior with the precision of a hawk. My gaze landed on it—a single, glorious, empty window seat. It was like finding an oasis in the desert. I started to move towards it, a triumphant smile forming on my face. But from the other end of the bus, another person had spotted the prize. A guy, probably around my age, with a messenger bag slung over his shoulder and an equally determined look in his eye. Our eyes met for a split second, and an unspoken challenge was issued. The race was on. He had a shorter path, but I had the a...