I have this irrational fear of dogs. Something which dates back to the day I was a single cell old. Back in good old Chennai, I used to meticulously skirt past the scrawny beleaguered and perennially thirsty low-breeds, rampaging the empty streets of a sleepy Chennai, cursing passionately the way too early (by my terms, of course) of the college bus. Some of them got so used to my chastisement that they chose to leave me alone to mind my own business. But still these pampered poodles peeping out of their kennels in the neighboring bungalows, got an inane kick out of barking and sending me racing from their gates…  Gave me a taste of ragging even in my final year  of college..

Now in Bangalore, I stay in an area so infamous for its teeming canine community matched in numbers only by the IT professionals who reside here. The road I stay in is in no way less in stature than my area in Chennai, when it comes to the snob squad. An absolutely silly looking long bodied duo, a dumb bully as big as a calf, and an obnoxious sadistic spoilt brat, all democratically taking turns in harassing the scared-of-dogs, over worked, and pre-occupied by passer. But its not these guys who rob me of my peace, because I know they are there, and they will scare me day in and day out. It’s the rowdy group of street dogs, who feed on the scraps from the multitude of “juice junctions” and “bakeries” that I lose my sleep over. Polar opposites of their Chennai cousins, these dudes and dudettes are well built and sturdy. They amble around with an air, stirring fear in the depths of my heart. All of a sudden, from nowhere, someone picks up a fight and there is pure, unadulterated commotion in pack, and I either stay put, paralyzed or try something stupid in an urge to flee. This is my lot, every time I venture out alone on the streets.

Today was exceptional. I woke up early, smartly got ready ahead of my usual time to work, and was tempted to take the early morning bus. I made it to the bus stop without much ado, but it is here that the catch lay. The number of people in the stop, were few, and scattered. The Ruffians arrive in full style, parading their silken coat to their dames.. Fear of the mortal kind, started to build up. Carrying more bags than I could manage, the realization that an attempt to flee was ruled out, was more than painful. Despite the chill, sweat began to pour down my face. Though my hands were full, I was desperately searching for my nails, biting them always calmed my nerves. Praying fervently for heaven’s grace, I was edging towards the nearest human, as surreptitiously as I could manage with all my bulk.

“Bark!”, “Wham”, “Howl!!”… The much anticipated pandemonium broke out. I almost saw doom leering around the corner, when my knight on white horse came by, the office bus swished past the warring factions and stopped in front of me. Pushing people around, (although, there weren’t any people to push around) I scrambled on to the bus..

Setting my many bags in an intricate fashion adhering to the tomes of feng shui, I took a deep breath. Immense peace engulfed me. The sweat evaporated as a cool breeze blew. Looking out through the window, I finally fell safe. They cant reach me here. Nothing can harm me.

Just then, the driver applied a sudden brake. And I hit my teeth. On the same metal bar. Again*.

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*: I had a nasty accident, sometime back, last year in the same bus to office.