Travelling in a train is mostly a great experience unless
you are not travelling alone. Recently I had to visit New Delhi, for which the
plan came up at the last moment. As expected there was no ticket available so
playing safe I took a waiting ticket in the Golden Temple Mail from Mumbai.
The day came when I had to leave. Luckily, I came to find
out that my ticket had been confirmed. I had a Side Lower berth. Like most of
the normal Indians if you get a window seat you are no less than a king and
here I had two of them.
Having had a hectic schedule of work, I started dreaming of
myself sleeping without any tension and the train running at a steady pace and
the cold winds passing by. Excited I reached the Mumbai Central Railway station
and started checking out the reservation chart. I thought God must be really
kind to me that day as I saw 3 females of similar age group were also
travelling together till Surat.
(Disclaimer: This is not to hurt any one’s sentiments :P
)
Living in a metro city and single at the age of 25, you really get
optimistic towards any opportunity to find a girl who can also be your friend.
Anyways I reached my berth and the train started. To my luck
the girls were really pretty and especially the one in the blue dress. Her
friends were calling her “Niki”. She was so pretty, I thought that finally I have
found someone special.
I lay down on my
berth and started reading a book while looking at her secretly. Though quite
filled with enthusiasm I was also afraid that the public will beat badly if she
gets annoyed. My eyes were at the book while ears were listening to what they
were discussing. At that moment our
section of the compartment was empty as people were to board from Borivali
after 30 Kms. They were talking about doing something for the poor kids, I
thought this is the opportunity for me to break into the discussion as I had
been involved with social work now for quite long and atleast can make someone
feel that I am really good at it.
So gathering courage I broke in, at first they looked at me
as if I had entered a prohibited zone but then they got interested in the work
we do. I introduced myself along with the Social Work I do and the conversation started, I left my berth to join them. Few minutes
later we were discussing all sorts of things in the world. Now I knew their
names and thought of moving ahead to ask more. However, till then Borivali came
and people started rushing in a family of four came in our compartment along
with an old lady.
After we broke the conversation and started moving our bags
helping the fellow passengers keep their luggage. After settling down the old
lady asked me “Which is you berth?” “Are you travelling alone”. I replied
politely as “Yes” and then she asked me to exchange my berth with his relatives
berth in the next compartment.
It struck me like a lightning bolt, My love vehicle hadn’t even
started and here I was being thrown out. I wanted to say No but I thought how
will the girls feel and also the lady was old. It will not leave a great impression
on them. Hmmm after a deep breath “I Agreed”. I started to pick up my bag, took
the berth number from the old lady. She blessed me and thanked me. I smiled at
her and then waived my hands towards Niki and her friends. I thought of asking for her mobile number but thought it was too early and also din't had the courage.
I wanted to say a lot but din’t had much of an option.
Unwillingly I went two coaches ahead at my new berth. The train moved ahead and
I laid down thinking of her. Being tired, I slept instantly and the next thing
I realised that it was Surat. I woke up at once and got down to rush towards my
previous compartment in a hurry to atleast say a Good Bye to her. But they were
gone and everyone else was sleeping.
I stopped running, it was a lovely weather I bought a cup of
tea, sipped it, smiled and moved back towards my berth in a hope of seeing her
again if ever the luck stays with me.
Thank you Indian Railways for such wonderful memories.
Note: If this story hurts anyone’s
sentiments and it’s not intended and I am sorry in advance.
