I had a most interesting experience yesterday.Though I use the word interesting, I do so only because I am unable to find a more appropriate word to fit the scenario. I reckon the experience was irritating, frightening and immensely thought provoking. Definitely not amusing.
Let me recount the tale without further ado. Yesterday I was travelling in the bus journeying back to my home from office. A middle aged lady sat opposite to me. (The seats were facing each other). She shook my hand and introduced herself. I took her hand and responded with my name saying that it was a pleasure meeting her. Then I continued doing my work on my laptop. For almost half an hour the lady kept staring at me and doing odd things like peeking into my laptop, putting her face close to mine and looking deeply as if something amusing is happening. I was a little uncomfortable with her behaviour but I kept silent and proceeded with my work. After a while, she started to speak in Danish to some other fellow passengers. I understood that her conversation was about me but I did not bother much. When asked, I told her that I dont understand Danish. She soon became aggressive and started shouting "call the police".
I was a bit surprised. I did not know what the fuss was all about and anyway my destination arrived and I bent down to retrieve my bag to pck my laptop. The lady went wild. She roughly pulled the laptop out of my hands and I instinctively pulled it back saying "Excuse me!!! That is my laptop". It was probably a good thing. I was about to retrieve my bag again when the lady went berserck and shouted at me "what are you taking out?" I replied "It is my bag." She started to make faces at me saying "Oh It is your bag, ofcourse. Do you think I am stupid?". I was a little more alarmed and embarrassed. Everyone in the bus was looking at me and the benefit of doubt remained with the lady. I asked her to return my bag back to me. I said "This is my stop and I have to leave. Please give me my bag back." She ran amok and jumped out at the bus stop and started to shout "Call the police." She said something in Danish too which I did not understand but I caught the word "bomb".
To be honest, I panicked. Here I am, a stranger in a foreign land, with less then perfect English skills and very desi looks. Given the world environment we are in, it is my word against her and I was not so sure how the situation will develop into.
Thankfully, two youth got down the bus with me. They looked Afghan youth to me. They tried to reason out with crazy woman. They conversed with her in Danish and the more they tried to convince her the more frenzied she became. The two youth advised me to stay calm and offered me a cigarette. I was about to puff one and then my conscience kicked in. I can still recollect the words that went on my mind at that moment "This is the testing time for principles and should I break them at the first hint of trouble". I refused the cigarette as politely as I could manage at that moment. I hope have not offended them.
Meanwhile, the lady ran across to another bus driver and asked him to call the police. She talked to him in Danish and I once again heard the word "bomb". The driver messaged the police, got down the bus and stood gaurd for the lady. I resigned myself to meet the poice and clear myself from this mess and I took out my cellphone to inform my roommate that I am going to be late. I opened the phone and talked two words to him in Telugu and his lady threw herself into a crazy fit again. She pulled my hand away from my ear and would not allow to talk on the phone. I began to lose my temper. I shouted her "wait" and the two youth jumped to my defense. The bus driver came to the defense of the lady. She listened to the driver and let go of me and I stuttered something over the phone to my room mate. I explained him the situation as best as I could (which was not very good). I said that in case the situation worsens and I have to go to police station, then I will call him again and inform him. Till then I told him to stay at home.
It took almost 20 minutes for the police to reach. Till then I stood there holding my laptop in one hand and thanking the stars that she has not taken that away and that it is still safe after all the struggle. During the wait, for the second time in my life I experienced the courage offered by veracity and honesty. I had nothing to hide and nothing to fear. Still, I could not completely push away some nameless fears.
Till the time police have arrived, this lady kept shouting swear words at me. Sometimes in English and mostly in Danish. I leaned against the signpost both to control the tremble in my legs and also for the sake of doing something and relieve some tension. Almost every one in the bus stand was throwing suspicious looks at me. I tried to assume a Devil-may-care air and tried the NLP technique of body-over-mind. I daresay it worked.
Two cops arrived after 20 minutes and have interviewed me and lady separately. They have taken witness from the two youth and from the bus drivers. Tehy asked my id and I gave them my CPR card. They talked to each other and began to smile to themselves. One of them has given me a secret smile and both walked over to the lady. I realized that they cleared me and was much relieved. A desi bus driver (I guess a brother from Pakistan) stood to help me if needed. He was watching the situation from almost the beginning but did not dare approach me until I was cleared by the police.
The police tried convincing the lady to return my bag to me and when she was not convinced they overruled her. At the last moment, she furiously stood up and literally threw my bag onto my face. The police officer told me "If you want to leave, you are free to go. I apologize for this." I thanked him, collected my items and left the place as fast as I could manage.
This incident has given me much to think about. A number of points flash my mind as I think of various faces of this. My feelings range from a boyish thrill of new adventure to more sober thoughts about the paranoia being spread by terrorism. From a new outlook on principles and values to the significance of mind-over-body and body-over-mind.
Lots of food for thoughts!!!
