uniform

i chased the bus

and somehow managed to get into it.

inside

it appeared as if the entire city was there!

but perhaps that was a daily scene for everyday commuter.

i wriggled through to the center of the bus

and got lost in my thoughts...

--

i must have been in that lost state for several minutes

till a heavy voice over my shoulder brought me back

"excuse me!"

i bent on one side to let the man get ahead!

but when i saw the police uniform

i bent much more and abruptly

"i'm sorry" slipped out of mouth!

the bulky policeman smiled

and moved ahead!

i must admit that i had seen a policeman smile after a long time!

--

a youngman

seated near the place where the policeman was standing

got so much unnerved by the standing beat-man

that he stood up and offered his seat.

but to every onlooker's surprise

the policeman refused

politely but firmly.

the youngman didn't know whether to sit down back again

or keep standing.

"please be seated" insisted the policeman!

--

at the next stoppage

the nervous youngman got up and got down the bus.

the seat became vacant

but none around dared to claim it

in the presence of the man in khakhi!

"please come and sit here!"

to everyone's amazement

the policeman asked the elderly lady in his front!

the elderly lady blessed him

and occupied the seat.

--

conductor came

and asked everyone for the ticket

but

not surprisingly

skipped the policeman.

the policeman called him from behind

"one ticket for cannaught place, PLEASE!"

the conductor looked back

and gazed into the policeman's eyes

to check if it was a real offer.

but when he saw the seriousness

he quickly produced the ticket

but hesitated to take the money

till the policeman pressed it into his hand.

--

what a sight it was!

all kind of good thoughts started running through every commuter's minds!

--

suddenly

at the next turn

the bus driver slammed the brakes hard.

everyone was thrown off balance

including the cop.

he lost his balance

and fell on the man in front.

--

"i'm so sorry!"

came a voice draped in genuine apologetic soft tone.

not surprisingly,

it was again from the man with the authority!

--

the discomfort could now be seen on every face around!

none was used to all this!

--

at the next stop

he finally moved ahead

and

to everyone's big relief

got down!

the driver took extra care that he didn't move the bus till he had completely got off!

"thank you!" said the cop after getting down

leaving everyone shell shocked one final time!

--

when the bus started to move again

my head was still turned in the direction of the amazing policeman!

"what a cop!" i couldn't help saying

"no, he is not a cop" said a youngman standing behind me

he is an undergraduate in St.Paul.

They have a dress rehersal for the drama fest today!