I ran. I was already late and did not want my friends to wait. On reaching, I found no one. It was a hot day and I waited. Looked around for shade. Found no tree. Finally, I walked further and discovered a bus stop. Waited under it.

Finally after 20 minutes, my friend arrived. “Sorry” she said. And I sat in her car and zoomed to our destination. There was a sour aftertaste of remorse but we kept quiet.

After all, nearly Thirty Minutes were wasted. I could have helped my mother, a little longer or read the newspaper. Argh!

I am sure, many of us have had such bitter experiences or would have friends who are punctually challenged. (This term was coined by a friend) I am usually punctually challenged and most of the people I know in Hyderabad are. We call it the `Hyderabad Nawabi’ style. Be it for movies or a play, we reach at least 15 minutes after the scheduled time.

Others would complain, “you don’t care for us” or say “time is not valuable.” We would brush off such comments with pride, “We are Hyderabadis” or “As if we are going to office..why run..Chill ”

This habit of being slower than the clock usually starts early.

Situations like these: 1. When we don’t submit assignments on time and our lecturers delay the deadline. 2. We reach the exam hall by 10:15 am when the exam starts at 10 am. We coolly tell the invigilator, “exam rules say we can be late by 15 minutes.”  The invigilator would look at us and retort “That doesn’t mean you come late everyday..”

Hyderabadis say “Light, Mama!” 

But, that day, the pain of being punctually challenged was difficult to bear. Watching strangers walk past. They stared at me. I looked at my watch more than 5 times in 60 seconds and made irritating noises like “Baah….Umm..” Called the other person more than twice. The other person’s phone was busy or vague answers like “On the way..” “two Minutes..” were given.

I now know what a hassle it is to come running, leaving your chores just to wait, hopelessly. I suggest :

1. Do not ever speak to any friend while you’re running to meet others. Tell them with a  smile “I will talk to you later, I have to run.”
2. If you’re walking to the meeting point, do not speak on the phone while walking. You tend to wait and talk and thus wait further before you reach to the destination.
3. If you have to meet a friend at 11 am at a destination which takes 15 minutes to reach. Complete all your work half an hour before [by 10 30 am], so that you get sufficient time to get ready and reach the destination.
4. Keep your friend informed when you “actually” start.

urL: http://www.tsr.net.co/profiles/blogs/punctually-challenged