As I crossed the bridge over Yamuna river, I wasn't surprised to find the traffic moving at snail's speed that allowed drivers to maneuver their vehicles not beyond second and third gear. I had till then mastered the art of enjoying slow drive in traffic, a situation I faced every day. As I was soaking up the myriad sound emitted by the vehicles around me, a loud thud pushed my vehicle forward almost overthrowing me from my seat (for the first time in my life I realised the importance of wearing a seat belt!). It didn't take me long to understand that a car had hit my vehicle from behind. After making sure that my injuries weren't too grave, I walked out of the car and confronted the culprits.

"Don't you know how to drive?" shouted a man, probably in his mid-twenties, as soon as he saw me approaching them (there were two people in the vehicle).

Still shaken from the incident, I wasn't expecting such an outburst from the faulting party. "Hold on. I didn't hit your car. It's you who banged into my car from behind!" I was shaking with rage then.

The man, who looked a little drunk, was taken aback. Maybe, he never imagined a frail looking girl replying back with authority and demanding an explanation. Seeing his friend lost for a reply, the other man who was still inside the car, shouted back, "You pulled the emergency brake and so we crashed into your car. Being a woman driver should should be more careful."

"Emergency brake when the car was moving at first or second gear? Are you kidding???Just for argument's sake, even if I pulled an emergency brake, that does not mean you will hit the halted car," I was almost shouting. "I am going to complain to the police." Saying this I started dialing the helpline number 1095. Unfortunately, the line was busy and against all my will, I stood there looking almost helpless.

 

Seizing the opportunity, the duo charged at me and started hurling slangs before getting ready to drive away. Fortunately, I quickly took a picture of their number plate before they drove away saying, " Karlo jitna complain karna hain ..." (Complain as much as you want to.)

I was dumbstruck. I could not believe what just happened. But not giving up hope, I continued dialing the helpline number. After almost half an hour, I got lucky and someone from the other end registered my complain and took down the registration number of the errant vehicle, promising they would alert the police check post and will seize the vehicle. Relieved, I reached home thanking my stars and waiting for authorities to do their duty.