5 Reasons why I love/hate Riskhaws/Rikshawalas

While Rikshawalas are most hated for their habit of rejecting customers, there are also a few reasons to love them. At least I have some reasons. Some, I repeat. In this blog, I am listing down 5 reasons why I love or hate Rikshaws and Riksha drivers. Last one is super special to me. No, don't be lazy. Read everything, okay?
Super Power to Attract Rikshas
Everytime Mom and I head out to go somewhere in the city, all of a sudden, there's a ricksha either standing right in front of the gate, or coming towards us from a distance. I don't know how to thank the universe for this coincidence. Okay, but this happens only when I am with Mom. Not when Mom and I go out individually. This is strange. For the very same strange reason, Mom has given me the title of 'Riksha Magnet' and I take pride in it. It's been years since I've been working part-time under this unofficial Job title and it is yet to be listed in my C.V.

Monsoon Dates in a Riksha
I remember in 2014 or even before maybe, I was returning home from a Birthday Gift Shopping Spree with my best friend. We are so passionate about the art of gifting and nailing it that we often forget to see what time is it, or how far are we from our homes. Sometime in the late evening that day, we got out of our bubble and luckily got an auto. In no time, our riksha was standing in knee-length water, unable to move ahead. Plus, we had traffic for our company. Ignoring the curfew stress in our minds, we sat there to chitchat, eating emergency snacks from our bags which we were luckily carrying. We had such a good excuse to delay the welcoming speech from our parents. You know what I mean. As the traffic started moving, it felt like someone was taking away that precious time from us. Anyway, moving on to my next reason, which is a bit embarrassing. Don't judge.

*Bathroom Singers Prohibited*
This is during my school days. It was my birthday. Unlike other days, on this particular day, for some reason, I was traveling to school alone in a riksha. Everyday I had two friends with me. Since I had nobody to talk to, I was looking outside and humming a song. My school friends always appreciated my singing. I don't know how much of it was true. That day, I got an instant feedback. I don't know when and how my humming turned into loud singing which obviously bothered the riksha driver. With no hesitation, he told me to stop singing immediately. Yes, and that marked the end of my singing career before it even started.

Mini-tragedy Alert
This one is a memory that has carved itself on me in form of a wound which denies to disappear. It's been six years now. I remember, that day very clearly. I was going to the station in a share auto around 6.45 a.m. There were four passengers in the vehicle, two to my left and one beside the driver on his left. It was evident that this three wheeler can lose balance anytime, but like any other day, having faith in the driver and our smooth roads, I decided not to get down from the riksha. We were five minutes away from our destination when this riksha's right wheel got stuck in a pothole and it fell upside down, almost taking one roll towards the right. Yours truly was sitting at the extreme right. Calf of my right leg got stuck under it. I was now carrying the weight of the whole riksha, as in my leg was. Many people gathered to lift the vehicle and helped us get out of it. The riksha was now standing still. People were telling me to get out of it and I was sitting there shocked. In a situation like this, my main concern should have been taking care of my leg and myself. But all I was looking for was my bag and new shoes which were lying scattered on the road. I put my leg in the shoe,a white ballerina, to notice blood flowing over the white faux leather. Good part was everyone else was fine. The driver's face was painted with guilt clearly. He helped me catch another riksha from another side of the road. I reached home with the news of my first accident and footprints of blood all the way till my bedroom.

If you're feeling eww about this, the next story will make you do 'aww'.
Here's my favorite one:
Chocolate worth a million bucks
It was my 20th birthday. The day was already brimming with surprises. A cute house party was arranged at my friend's place with almost 1/4th of my classmates or more ready to scream "SURPRISE". After all this gala time, and a few more mandatory birthday celebrations, small and big, I was returning home with one of my best friend. In the riksha, we were talking all about how the day went with a lot of oohs and aahs. I dropped her home on the way as usual and was heading home now with a lot of stories to tell Mom and Dad. I reached near my building and was paying the driver when he said, "Ma'am, Happy Birthday!", handing me a chocolate he had in his pocket. This was not it. This was followed by, "Sorry, I just had this much to give you". I smiled and thanked him and said, "Kya aap bhi". I had no words for this heartwarming gesture. I know Rikshwalas overhear all our drama, but didn't know something so kind could come out of it. My face was wet with happy tears until I reached home. This was undoubtedly the best moment of the day. Rare, Unexpected, and Beautiful.
These were few of my many memories in a Riksha. I must say you have a lot of patience to read through this entire blog. Thank you. Comment below if you have such stories to share. Also, tell me which one of the above did you like the most.
Keep smiling :)