[Let me pause and
explain something interesting about the folks who board the bus at my stop. I
have never seen any of them talk to each other. Neither have I spoken to any;
until today. The interesting part is that most greet each other only by a
faint facial nod accompanied by a faint smile. And in the last 4 months that I
have been taking this bus, all I have done is adopt this way of greeting making
no attempt to change or greet better. Regarding the facial nod greeting we do,
I have often wondered if my eye lids travel a longer distance in their usual
blinking activity compared to my face when I greet others at the bus stop every
morning.]
We greeted each other with our usual faintest facial nod
possible and stood there to wait for the bus. The bus which is usually on time
did not come even after 10 mins of its scheduled time today. As we stood, I noticed that this colleague
seemed anxious. He would glance at his watch every few seconds and would look
in the direction of the bus. I thought he was late for a meeting or a client
call. Wanting to start a conversation, I looked at him and said -
Me – The bus is late today
Colleague – Yes
(I had not expected a Yes/No answer from him. I thought
since we had been greeting each other for the last few months, he would give an
extended answer which will lead to a good conversation. But his ‘Yes’ lead me no where. Having made up my mind to talk to him, I did not want to give up so
easily).
Me – It’s usually on
time. Haven’t seen it this late
Colleague – Yes…(after
a brief phase) You can expect anything
today right?
Me – today? (I was
confused)
Colleague – Yes, today.
You can expect anything to happen and you have to be prepared
(Now I was really lost)
Me – Okay (I gave a puzzled look at him)
Colleague – have you
forgotten? Today is Friday the 13th
Me – Okay (I wanted to ask
“So?”)
Colleague – Moreover the
year is 2013. So it’s Friday the 13th in 13.
(Suddenly it occurred to me that there is some taboo
associated with Friday the 13th)
Me – Oh correct..
(Not wanting to show my ignorance, I nodded my head)
He did not say anything and I had no clue what to say.
Actually what could I say? I don’t believe in these things and I had not
expected the conversation to go this way. If Friday the 13th was really a dooms
day, the earth should have evaporated by now.
Our office bus arrived in the meanwhile and we both headed
towards it. As we reached the bus, he looked at me and said –
Colleague – Be careful,
today is not a good day. Don’t think its superstition; the whole world believes
it.
Me – Okay (I smiled at
him)
Once inside the bus, I tried to recall what had just
happened. He was right in way. All I wanted to do was to talk to a colleague
whom I see every day. But of all the days in the year, I had initiated the
conversation on Friday the 13th which ensured I never initiate a conversation
with him again. Friday the 13th is truly a dooms day.
~Narendra V Joshi