That night, then I realized that there is trade strike on
that day. No buses run that day. RTC staff are on strike to fulfill their demands.
I was checking my mobile.... what happened no data. I was able to browse 5 mins
ago.. Wanted to book a cab. Without wasting any time called Jaypal for help.
Told him that I will wait for cab at Sankarmath and send
cab. I was waiting at Sankarmath around 10:30 pm. suddenly there is a conference
call from office. Kumar has added me to the Conf call. I am aware of it but
thought I would be in cab by then so asked to add me to the call. Call is in
progress on major issues.
I was checking if the coming taxi is for me.. hmm.. No luck
at Jaypal’s end. None of the drivers accepting the request from the booking
app. I was really wonder how my data is down suddenly. No second thoughts...
walked to a shop open opposite to Sankarmath. They don’t have any recharge. My
mobile battery is going down. Don’t know what I am doing. Restarting mobile. Went
back to the Sankarmath gate. Sent text to Jaypal. Time was 11:15. So my senses
told me that there is something going to happen today. I told jay pal to take it easy. I will make
an alternative.
I cut the conf call and decided to settle first.
Took an auto to Koti bus stop, Auto driver just said "
Sab ko ghar jana hai.. I will drop you at Koti no issues". Thank god auto rickshaws
are running that night on a strike day.
Got down at Koti bus stop. I got the Data back on mobile. Hmm..
I realized it is a network issue. However my mobile is dying with just 4%
battery. There are some Rickshaws coming close to me
Enquiring where I need to go. They all are going on different
ways. I quickly opened Uber cab app and searched for a vehicle. One is
available. The place at bus stop is very silent except the auto's sound. One elderly
lady is going from auto to auto and asking if they can come. In the dark
shadows there are 2 others also sitting at bus stop. I hear one of them talking
on phone. She is explaining that it is very difficult without city buses.
The old lady is asking the auto drivers if they can come to
Lingampally. Exactly where I wanted to go. I stopped her and asked for confirmation.
Then I told her that i will book a cab and leave her at Lingampally if she can
share the bill. She went to the people sitting at bus stop and told my offer.
Then i realized that the 3 are together one elder lady, her
husband - seems to be retired employee, and a 30+ lady who is very very fat. They
said okay to me without any doubts.
I selected the cab and spoke to cab driver in next 2 mins. Cab
is on the way. Meanwhile I had answered few important questions from them.
What would they charge? I said could be 300-400.
For each 300? I said altogether but after reaching there
they will give bill, it would be Rs. 6 or 7 per kilometer.
The lady started explaining everything on phone to the other
person on phone. Then she said on phone “yes 4 people ".
I learn that they are okay to pay 75% of bill because they
are 3. I understand from their discussion that they are new to the city and
never took a taxi in city.
Considering their non-city behavior, I said to myself if
there are not here I need to pay all 100%. As they are sharing it is okay for
me to accept 50% from them.
I said out that they
can pay 50% if the bill after reaching destination. Called the cab driver again
and he just reached.
We settled in the
car. Driver started meter in his mobile app. the 3 are sitting in backseat. I
am next to driver. Full AC inside. I plugged in the charger pin. The fat lady
is giving updates on every movement to their relatives over phone.
While in journey, they started saying 'you came like a god'
God, well I don’t know. It’s a partnership deal and the cab driver came as god
for me. Because when Jaypal was trying continuously none of the cabs are
accepting the request. They enquired about my where about. I also asked their
details. They are from devarakonda. Their son is opening a shop in tellapur. Suddenly
they had to start to attend some puja. Driver
said he will not come to tellapur. They made their arrangements to go to
tellapur. I understood that their relatives will come to Lingampally to receive
them. Hmm updates coming in on phone.
Uber cab driver is very polite and friendly with everyone on
the ride. We are close to Lingampally. I need to go to railway station because
I parked my vehicle there in the morning.
We went to railway station. Got down the cab. The bill is
zero rupees.
Yes it is zero rupees. It is my first ride on Uber and first
ride on uber is free. I realized and driver smiled and said no need to pay a
single penny.
He resisted to accept my tip. I put a 50 in his pocket and
turned to my co passengers and said that they don’t have to pay anything.
They are surprised happily. They thanked me saying Namaste
with two hands. They blessed me, my 2 kids and family for the help. I thanked them.
I took my vehicle from the parking and told them to go safe
and disappeared.
I don’t know their names. They don’t know mine. I just know
the Uber cab driver is G Gopal.
Keep riding for the good cause Uber!!
