Unbelievable But True!

Once I boarded the bus towards office that day, I dozed off within minutes. My son and the household chores had engulfed my energy completely. As I was on fast, I couldn't munch on a snack too!

After few minutes, I opened my eyes and saw that I was already very close to where I had to get down (Actually my workplace is an hour away from my home; so deep was my nap :P). I packed my stuff and got off the bus in a hurry. But something felt odd. I crossed the road and went into my office campus. The security at the gates asked for my ID (I generally wear them when it is time to get off; but hadn't that day, as the bus stop was very close).

I put my hands in and located my ID; showed it to the security and wore it.

My instincts suggested to look for my purse. I did and it was missing!

I closed my eyes for a minute and tried to analyze if I was picked or I missed it. The bus which I traveled was very sparsely occupied and hence the possibility of a thief was unduly possible. But still, as I had dozed of very soon and deep, I wasn't pretty sure though. But, I wanted to give it a try!

I located on my phone, the MTC helpline number. (Thanks to my habit of reading the newspapers, inculcated by my mother. Few months before, there was an article about extension of MTC bus helplines to be working 24x7. I had noted down the number then.)

There were 3 numbers; two were out of order. The last one was my hope!

The call did get CONNECTED. The lady on the other side wished me goodness and inquired what was wrong.

Lady: "How can I help you?"

Me: "I missed my purse in the bus."

Lady: "Do you know the registration number of the bus?"

Me: "No"

Lady: "What bus was it?"

Me: "170L. Running from XYZ to ABC."

Lady: "OK. when did you get off the bus?"

Me: "3-4 mins before."

Lady: "OK. Where are you?"

Me: "Olympia Tech park."

Lady: "Keep your phone available. I will update the status in few mins."

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The call was disconnected. Not sure, if the call was going to be fruitful. Within a minute, I received a call. The number that flashed on the screen, confirmed that it was a customer care call. I rejected it.

After a few more minutes that seemed to me like hours, I received a call and the same lady spoke.

Lady: "I'm calling from MTC helpline. We have located your purse. You can receive it from the conductor of bus 70. Go to the Tech Park stop towards Ashok pillar. The bus will reach the stop in 5-10 minutes."

Me: "...."

Lady turned angel: "Hello?" The voice sounded sweeter than honey!!

Me: "Thanks madam. Thanks a lot."

Lady turned angel: "Thank you for calling MTC helpline. Have a good day!"

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Indeed I was going to have a good day. My face was full of smile. The next instant, it struck me; I might not get the purse in its "full form". In spite of it, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my purse. A bus with the number "70" came into the bus stop. The conductor peeped out of the window and he immediately located me. I was the only one in the stop.

I looked at him with anxiety.

Conductor: "What does your purse look like?"

Me: A smile popped up on my lips. "A pink one. With a doll painted on it."

He lifted my purse. There it was!! Wow! That was unbelievable!!

Conductor turned God: "Do you have any ID?"

Me: "My SCDL ID card; in the top flap". My heart beat was raising.

He opened the purse; located the ID; scanned my face an compared it with my ID card; closed the purse and handed it over to me!

Whistle blew. Brooom. The bus moved out.

I opened the purse with extreme anxiety. Everything was at its place. All set and clean.
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Miracles do happen!