Memory Speaks : An autowallah about Bangalore and girl from Baneras

"I have been driving auto from last foury years. There was no signal in bangalore during those days. Around 1970 the first signal came at corporation. Minimum fare during those time used to be 40 paisa, and used to have the turn over of about 10-12 rupees per day, house expensewas about 5 rupees.

In those days education was not considered important so i studied only till 5th class, and whatever I studied i did fine, but spend my childhood doing nothing, just played, therefore had no other choice but to drive autos. I still regret that. We used to go for movies once in a while and wahida rehman was my favourite heroin. Apsara was the first airconditioned cinema in bangalore.


Got married at 22, but i did have an affair with one girl, she had come from baneras and used to stay next door. She used to sing very well and we used to sing songs together. Never got to kissing her. We used to hold hands and roam in a park in bysandra. This itself was a big thing in those days. She left for baneras one fine day and then we used to communicate via letters, there were no phones then. She used to write in hindi, but i did not know hindi (I only know urdu), so i used to get the letters read and written from one of my friend. But slowly it died down. Eventually I got married, my wife found out those letters after marriage and burned them, but I have kept one photo preserved. The funny thing is that the girl returned after 20 years and now she stays quite close to my place, she also has her kids and I also mine. But we dont talk about the past.

I still cherish the time I spent with her, woh baat hi kuch aur thi,

Have got my son to study in english medium, because i do understand the importance of education. And he is doing a job in government office now.

"
There was a glow in his face when he was talking about his lost love and lot of pride when he told me about his son doing a government job. And when finally I got down from the auto near my house, he took my phone number. He said "I do come for a hair cut at the shop next street, when I come next I will get her photo, and you can take a look".

I could not help but smile at him. Went home feeling happy. :D