bus number 4

when i was in school, we had these huge red coloured buses to take us to and fro. they didn't belong to the school, but were commissioned by Bihar Raj Transport. those big rickety buses now somehow reminds me of my grandmother. both were big, cosy and tattered. familiar, enveloping and protective. after school hours i never commuted in them, and if they were plying for commuters on street i never recognised it if i spotted one. the windows were big enough, because of the missing glass panes, to sneak in our bags before we could step in. and the seniors would invariably take the end seats. it was cool to be back-benchers in the bus too.