Personal Experience: "Most Embrassing Moment of My Life"

It was April 13, 2007 friday evening (I remember this date exactly because i have to leave to US on 21st night), i was to catch my bus to Hyderabad 8:00 pm @ Majestic (In bangalore we call Bus Stand as Majestic). Completed my work early and went to room (I used to stay in a room @ Electronic City), Packed my luggage and started to Majestic. Had good amount of luggage so had to take an auto, i had not other choice.

Reached Majestic @ 7:00 pm and was waiting for my Bus (Volvo Bus which leaves at 8:00 pm). I had gone for this specifically as it goes directly to ECIL. I stay near to this area. At around 7:30 i started enquiring about Bus to one of the APSRTC official (They stand near APSRTC stand in completely white outfits). He said that theres a huge traffic and buses will arrive late. Again enquired at 7:45 and got the same answer. When i got the same reply @ 8:00 i panicked but had the confidence as the person saying this was a APSRTC official.

Later at 8:15 i wanted to make sure whether the bus has arrived. I asked him whether 8:15 bus arrived, he showed the bus in front of him. I was shocked and told him that i was looking for a 8:00 pm volvo bus. He said that volvo buses stand opposite to this place. I requested few of the passengers waiting for antoher bus to look after my luggage. I hurried there and found that i missed the bus. I came at 7:45 and left @ 8:10. It was first of its kind for me and didnt know what to do next. I went to the apsrtc office and told the same. They told me to first cancel the ticket within one hour of scheduled departure of bus. If i cancel it with in one hour i will get 75% money back.

And again requested the same people to look after my luggage. By the time i got to know about this, it was 8:45. I went to the counter took a form and filled all the details and stood in the queue. at 8:55 i requested people ahead of me told them that situation they agreed. I gave my form to the person to cancel the ticket and refund my money. He said that its already past 9:00 pm and i am not eligible for refund. I showed him the time and all the people in queue agreed that it want 9:00 still. But that guy arrogantly said that in his watch its past 9:00. I had a quarrel with him. But all the people consoled me that he is like that and told not to obstruct the people standing in queue.

I wanted to get a ticket to hyderabad for ordinary bus. To my horror i didnt had much money. I enquired about ATM's near by majestic. There was only State Bank of India (SBI) ATM near by. It was over crowded, if i try to withdraw from that i will miss the last bus to Hyderabad. I was sweating heavily (when ever i am tenses i sweat a lot). When i went to collect my luggage, the poeple who were looking after my luggage enquired about my situation and felt sad. I didnt take help from them, but the one of the girl came farward and gave me 400/- rs. I wanted to say no but how can i. I have to go to hyderabad to do pruchases for my "First US Trip". I accepted the amount and told her that first thing i will do when i come back to bangalore is repay your amount. I asked her cell number, she refused started walking. I followed her and took her number. I said thank you for all the people who looked after my luggage and left to catch a bus to hyderabad.

I got another bus to hyderabad, luckily there will be 2 seats available (These seats are always available in APSRTC buses, these seats are some quota seats where driver and conductor can sell during departure time). When everything was set, i sat in my seat relaxed. I thought i shoudl talk to her and get to know her. I tried to search her number, this is where i cruse myself even now. I lost her number. You might be thinking how i might have lost her number, when its stored in my cell.

The cell phone which i was using at that time was my birthday gift from my brother. I didnt know exactly how to operate it. It is a sony ericsson 810i model. When i dialled the number and pressed more which will be on right hand side. I got the save number option, but in nokia when we say save it will ask the name and it will save immediately. But in sony ericsson it asks for further details. Thats where i thought i saved her number and pressed back button few times to clear the screen. This way i lost her number.

When i coudnt find her number, i was dijected. I felt really bad and the pain was unbearable. I felt really bad as i have done one of the worst things in my life. I still fear that they might be thinking me as a cheater and might not help other people in need.

After completing my shopping during weekend, i came to back to bangalore and send out a unanimous mail to all the friends i know. But still i havent got any reply from the person i am waiting for. That weekend i left to US for the first time. This should have to be one of the happiest moment of my life, but throughout my stay in US i coudnt forget this incident and still i cant forget the thought of cheating good people who helped me.

These are the Important thing i learned from this incident:
* When you wait for a APSRTC bus check the service number and enquire with more than one person

* look for appropriate place wrt ordinary or volvo. Because APSRTC ordinary and Volvo buses stand separately.

* If you miss your bus dont forget to cancel the ticket within one hour of ur scheduled departure.


* Keep extra money when you are travelling even though you have confirmed ticket and you reached the destination before hand.

* When you ask any person their phone number, dial the number and then once call that person and then try to save the number. If incase you havent saved the number you find the number in recent call list.

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