Love to Travel(firdouz) LOVE TO TRAVEL

The dumpster was filled with leftover food. It was a perfect picnic spot for him. Of course it was a crowded terrain, but this fellow is not one who alters away from any unwanted consideration. It is not like he had to pull out a stunt right now to survive a striving life. It is just what he is. He is expecting the influx of his beloved who gave him many off springs, but still in shape, mind you. That might take a while though. He could just sneak in and do his thing before that. No big deal. So he placed himself on the dumpster and started picking away on the cuisine. "Bon appetite," says our dear friend. Few of the people who walked by were staring at this as if some crime was taking place. Yeah right… like they are some superior creation without any urges. He would be the last to care about the people.

He suddenly ceased doing his thing. This is not where he was supposed to be. He could almost sense her nearing the railway station. He flew swiftly, with a piece of junk in his mouth, to the roof of the over bridge that lay above the tracks. A piece of this junk fell from his mouth to the shoulder of a gentleman. He is capable of handling his own problems I guess. Our guy reached there just in time before his partner cawed her way in. They had a brief conversation and then rose to the sky heading north. Well… that’s that.

Our guy will be here any minute. It is almost 11:13am. The train leaves for New Delhi in two minutes. Traffic on a Sunday won’t be a problem in Trivandrum; the capital of Kerala, a southern state of India. It’s just he has had a very late Saturday night and a sleep till mid day on Sunday. The Kerala express train to Delhi may not wait for this hunk. It has 3036kms (1885.7 miles) to travel in 50 hours and 25 minutes. It makes 39 halts on the way and passes through 396 intermediate stations. There are 24 coaches on the train. It motions on an average speed of 63kms (39.1 miles) per hour.

It is now exactly 11:15 am. He is nowhere to be seen. The siren has been heard by the Loco pilot. He pulls the lever, turns the knob and honks the horn. The machine slowly starts moving, gradually gaining speed. He will make it… no worries. There he is. Running with a huge bag pack on his back… pushing away people who are blocking him. He knows he is reserved to be seated at the coach S5. So instead of getting on any coach nearby and then making his way inside, he relies on his sprinting ability to enter S5 itself… which he eventually does. What an idiot.

The very second he steps in to the coach; a substantial amount of water is sprayed on to his shirt. It turns out to be the wash basin in the coach is right next to the one piece heavy metal entrance door which is manually operated and not like the ones you find in developed countries that close automatically as the train moves. A very old gentleman who was gargling by the basin, instead of spitting inside the basin, he took a short outside. You know the rest.

The man was non apologetic and our boy couldn’t do much more than smile discomforted. He slowly walked towards the toilet on the train and changed to another of his black t-shirts. His seat number was 32… a window seat. He slowly made his way towards his seat with his luggage that consisted of a huge back-pack. You could tell that it wasn’t neatly packed.

The train would have mostly 72 seats in a compartment. Two long seats facing face to face that could seat 3 people each and then two seats at the other end parted by a walking path that seats a person each. That would be one section. Like that, there will be 9 sections. The larger seats will have a mica plated wall behind them that divide each section, making it semi-closed. Each non-air conditioned compartment will have three ceiling fans.

As he made his way to the seat he found it occupied by a lady with two kids… two small girls. She smiled at him. She realised that he was the rightful owner of the seat and that she has to vacate it for him. It is a usual practice in India that local travelers occupy seats reserved for long distance travelers, or should I say that local travelers take-over the seats of people who have made all the strain in getting a reservation among hundreds of competitors.

“I will be getting off after two stations,” she said smiling. “Would you mind?” she asked. "Does it matter?"

“No, it’s alright,” He replied. “I will just put my luggage under the seat and then adjust somewhere until you get off.”

“Oh! God bless you, young man,” she said.

It is either a blessing or curse in such situations. God is needlessly dragged in to it. All the seats were occupied and he had to wait till the lady got off at the station Kollam Junction. The train arrived there by 12:18pm. Three minutes late from the usual expected time. He slowly went to his seat and got seated after seeing her off. He looked around his cabin to see who all would be the ones he was going to travel with. There was a Punjabi man with a green turban, white shirt and grey pants on seat number 30. That would be the seat on the edge. He was big. There was a French couple right in front of him taking seat numbers 25 and 26. They had their hands held together. They seemed to share lot of compassion for each other. He had long wavy hair and beard. But he must be not more than 24. He had very attractive green eyes. She had blonde hair curled. She seemed to be a year or two elder to him and probably an inch taller too. She looked more like a wax statue in Madame Tussauds. They were both dressed in cream colour shirts. He wore Khaki pants and she wore a denim Capris. Right next to them, at seat number 27, was a young man who was probably a college student. He was sleeping with his specs on. He was wearing a red t-shirt that said ‘I don’t care’, and a ripped jean to go with it. He had his head set plugged on. At seat number 28, that is the single window seat on the right 1 o’clock corner from where he was, there was a beautiful mother and her infant child… cheerfully looking out of the window and absorbing the scenery that kept on changing rapidly. She was dressed up in a beautiful dark green saree with embroidery of possibly a golden peacock… the national bird of India. Her baby had hair that curled up like springs. She was dressed in a red polka dress. Right in front of them, at seat number 29, was an elderly man who was busy reading his book. His hair was all grey, he wore thick glasses, white full-sleeved shirt and black pants. His shirt was perfectly ironed and tucked in. He seemed to have all his hair on the head intact… a sign of a healthy man.

1:58pm… the train arrived at its 8th stop, Changanassery, 19 minutes delayed. He slowly opened his eyes as the motion of the train got slower as it approached the station. He must have dozed off at some point of time. He looked out of the window yawning to see where they had reached. The platform was on the other end and he couldn’t properly see the station board. So he just sat idle not asking where it is. He was still sleepy and continued his disrupted sleep. His eyes were slowly closing. He could hear the sound of a girl making her way through the inside of the train, asking others to make way. The girl approached their cabin. He rinsed his eyes to view her properly. His eyes widened as he saw her. The woman was gorgeous. His eyes almost popped out. It seems she was walking right towards him. He was staring at her like an owl. She stood right next to him holding her heavy bag. She said something to him which he didn’t respond to. She repeated it again.

“Sorry?” he enquired. “What was it?” he asked.
“My bag…” He took her heavy bag and lifted it above his shoulders standing up. Before she could say anything he threw the heavy bag on the top berth as he couldn’t handle the weight.
“Ayyyy…” cried someone from above.
The Punjabi man was sleeping on the top berth. It seems our hero threw the bag right on his sweet spot. The man started cursing. He apologized straight away and told him he wasn’t aware. She stood there watching this in utter confusion. They finally made peace.
“I was asking you to move your legs slightly so that I can put my bag under the seat,” she said to him.
“Ooh! A-am sorry… let me get that for you,” he said reaching for the bag.
“Ooh no, u don’t,” she said. “I will do it myself before you break either the stuff I have in it or kill someone without letting them know what hit them.”
He smiled sheepishly. She took the bag with the help of the Punjabi and put it under her seat… which was next to him. Then she got seated.
“Aren’t you going to sit?” she asked him.
“Y-yes” he replied and sat down… still staring at her. She was busy getting accustomed to the seat and people around. She saw him sitting on the edge of his seat and staring at her with his body partially tilted towards her. He looked here and there as he was caught staring and sat properly and turned the other way.

The train reached its 9th station, Kottayam, by 2:18pm… 13 minutes delayed. It is then that he remembered that he didn’t have his lunch. He must have over slept when the lunch served on the train. He thought of getting out on this station and buying himself something to eat. There is a 10 minute halt in this station. That would be plenty enough.

“Excuse me?” she called him as he was making his way out. He turned to look at her. “Can u get me a Pepsi or something if you are going out?” she asked.
“S-sure,” he replied. She gave him a 100 rupees note. He took it and bought one for her. She thanked him and he sat on his seat. It was only when the train started moving that he realized he has forgotten to get something for himself, once again.
“Did you forget anything?” she asked.
“No, I am not hungry anymore,” he replied.
“What? I was talking about my balance money,” she said.
“Oh, I am sorry… I just… here is your balance,” he handed over the money. She took it and smiled at him. He seemed nervous and restless. His head doesn’t seem to stay still at all.
“So… what is your name?” she asked.
“Mine?” he asked. She nodded. “Abhay,” he replied.
“I am Neha,” she said lending her hand. They shake hands on that. “Where you from?” she asks.
“Trivandrum,” he says.
“I did my engineering from there,” she says.
“Oh, I see. What engineering?” he asks.
“Civil,” she replies. “And you?” she asks.
“I also did engineering. Mechanical, from Kollam,” he says. “Where are you from?”
“Well… I am currently working in Delhi. My parents are here in Changanassery. What about you?” he remained quiet for a bit.
“I am planning to start an automobile… showroom very soon,” he says.
“Oh… fine,” she says. “Which means you haven’t got a job right now?” she asks.
“I guess…” he replies a bit mortified.
“Let me guess… you are going to Delhi. May I ask for what?” she asked.
“Marriage…” he says.
“Woo! You are getting married?” she asks.
“No not me… my friend. My best friend is getting married,” he says.
“See… friends all getting married, Abhay. You better secure your future and settle down with a girl, buddy.”
“How can anyone be settled with a girl? That would be like petting a snake knowing you will get strangled.”
“Is that what you think? Then what about the couple in front of us?” she asked indicating to the French couple in front of them. The girl was lying on his lap. He was brushing her hair. She had a scarf on her face that covered her mouth and nose. She kept looking out, watching the trees that passed by.
“Vous voulez dire un monde pour moi et j'aime même les plus rares de mauvaises fois avec vous,” he said to her in French. She smiled hearing this and then closed her eyes to sleep pressing her cheek against his stomach. Abhay laughed all of a sudden.
“The guy is hilarious,” he said.
“You know French?” she asked him.
“Oh yeah,” he said.
“What did he just say?” she asked.
“He said… that… sleep for sometime so that he could have that rare peace ever since he took the vows. That’s what he said. Poor chap,” he remarked. She slapped him tenderly as he finished. The youth sitting next to the French couple saw this and giggled.

The Punjabi got down the upper berth holding his stomach and ran to the toilet at that very instant. The thud of him landing on the floor and the sound of the slap was of all in perfect timing. It gave the youth a feeling that the slap was a good shot… which he enjoyed. “What was that for girl?” he asked rubbing his cheek.
“Hey… it is better than him slapping you,” she said. Abhay looked at the French guy. The guy nodded his head with a mocking smile. It seems like he overheard him. Abhay smiled nervously.
“Guess I should thank you in that case,” whispered Abhay. “So… what did he say to her?”
“What makes you think that I know French?” she asked him. “Aren’t you the one who is the master?” she mocked.
“All right… I admit my mistake. Now tell me what he said,” he enquired.
“He told her that she means the world to him and he loves even the rarest of bad times that they have,” she explained.
“Wow!” he remarked. That’s all that they could say. That seems to have touched both their hearts. What is transpiring between them is very special. And I guess they have realized it too. Just in an hour or more she felt as close to him that she could give him a slap on the face. And he could find it okay to be slapped by her. That is one smacking beginning to wherever they are leading to.

3:40pm… the train arrived at Ernakulam… one of the major cities of the Kerala state. They are 5 minutes late from the usual. The eleventh station of the journey. They could hear a small quarrel outside, on the platform. A big huddle had been formed… nothing visible to make out. So Abhay got out, aware that there would be a 10 minute hold up here also. He got out of the train and slowly made his way in through the crowd of people. He saw a woman holding a teenager by his collar and shouting and arguing. It seems to be that the boy had begun to tease her daughter. She wanted an apology. The boy seemed to be in denial of the situation and was defending his innocence. The arguments were getting more heated by the second. It would have been unusual for Abhay not to get involved.

“He should be handed over to the police. What does he think of himself?” commented Abhay aloud to the lady. She became quiet for a second. She turned to look at him.
“And who would you be, hot shot?” she asked sarcastically. Abhay was getting embarrassed.
“I am… just…” he stammered.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah… mind your own business kiddo,” she said to him. His face became almost pink in colour. He marched slowly back to the train and went to be seated in his place.

Neha had two cups of tea in her hand. She handed one to him as he sat down. He looked at her and he could tell from her expression that she was certain he would have committed another mockery of himself.
“I saw it all,” she said. They looked face to face for a moment as if someone was dying. “Drink…” she said to him. He still looked embarrassed by it. She couldn’t hold it anymore and she started laughing all of a sudden. He also found the lighter side of it then and laughed along.

****

It was almost 8pm now. The train was now going through the state of Tamil Nadu. Most of them have now changed in to a much more comfortable dress and nicely settled on. The dinner has been had and people are planning to get on to their respective berths and then sleep the rest of the night off. For some among the 72 travellers in this compartment, it was a night of singing and cracking jokes. But they would have to be quiet soon when most of the passengers decide to call it a night.

“So… how come you are going to Delhi by train?” she asks Abhay.
“What do you mean?”
“You know… you don’t seem like the guy who would like to take the long route,” she says.
“Well… the thing is, I have aerophobia.”
“Oh, I didn’t see that coming,” she remarks. “Then why couldn’t you take the higher class tickets?”
“Because I am a poor guy who can’t afford to,” he answers with a smile.
“I understood that… from your expensive mobiles and accessories and the scent of Chanel perfume. You must be poor,” she mocked. He smiled.
“It was not planned. I was not expecting to go today. But some changes in plans here and there and so… without any tickets available, this was the best I could get on such short notice. And I say I am lucky,” he says.
“Why is that?” she enquires.
“I wouldn’t have got to meet such a wonderful person otherwise,” he says. She smiles.
“If I were in your place, I would have gone all the way on road. But you don’t look that adventurous,” she says.
“Don’t be so sure woman. I once travelled 500kms (310 miles) on my bike without stopping anywhere. And that too… alone,” he says.
“Which bike?” she asks.
“Royal Enfield Classic 350,” he replies.
“That is one impressive story and quite amusing too. With a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 litres at a mileage of up to 35kmpl (21.7 miles per litre) I am not sure how you managed to travel such a long distance without stopping in between. It doesn’t add up you know?” Abhay seemed to be stunned listening to her. “What? Didn’t expect a girl to know about bikes, did you?” she mocks him.

It was 8:07pm now and the train approached its 15th station, Coimbatore 12 minutes later than the expected time. Abhay went towards the Pantry and got themselves two cups of noodles and some hot water to pour in to the mix. They were just about to eat it and there was this huge cry. Someone was shouting and running towards them. Someone was being chased inside the train. Neha clutched to his arm in fear.

It was that young man who was seated next to the French. He was taking a visit to the loo and he found these hermaphrodites who asked for money. It was not something unusual. It was not as if they were robbing you. You couldn’t call it begging either. Hermaphrodites are people that have put on a social stigma for many. But they are seen with respect by many too. They would embarrass you if you don’t pay them. They would bless you if you pay them. And their blessings are seen with great admiration by people. Their curses are heavily feared too.

This chap had no idea what they wanted from him. He ran with at least 5 of them behind him. He tried to jump on the upper berth above seat number 28 and 29. They caught him midway by his pants and pulled him down exposing his behind as his pants came down faster. It seems he didn’t consider putting on underwear.

The old man on seat number 29 helped him make peace with them and explained to him the situation and resolved the problem. The hermaphrodites got their money and in good spirits they threw some blessings for the kid. What more would he possibly want?

“What’s your name son?” asked the old man. His infant granddaughter was now weeping as she got scared from all the commotion.
“Nihal,” he replied still in the aftershock. Someone shouted ‘nice ass,’ from somewhere. The old gentleman could tell he was bought up from abroad judging from his accent.
“I am Prakash. I hope the eunuchs didn’t scare you,” he says with a hand on his shoulder. “I am a retired professor who tried to teach Economics,” he said shaking his hand. “What do you do Nihal?”
“I am doing my degree in aeronautics from Delhi,” he replied. Professor helped him forget his mishap fast and their conversation stretched for a long time. It seems that they found a perfect traveling partner in each other. They would talk on all those possible topics they would know of.

By 9:30pm most have found solace at sleep. It was like bunk-beds of 3… lower berth, a middle berth and an upper berth. There were 2 rows of a set of 3 beds on one side and another 2 beds on the other end, one over the other, perpendicular to the two rows. The middle berth is supported on two chain hangers. This can be put back in the morning by just taking out the chains. There wouldn’t be enough width for a person to sit when all the berths are spread.

****

27th November 2011. 7:08am on the second day of journey. The train has passed Nellore station exactly 30 minutes ago. We are now passing through the state of Andhra Pradesh, the 3rd state on our path.

“Boo!” screamed Neha on the ears of Abhay who was asleep on the middle berth. He opened his eyes in shock and then shut them stubbornly.
“Wake up lazy boy. I am bored and I want to sit down on my seat. So move it.”
“So sit… what’s stopping you,” he said in half sleep.
“You!” she said. “I can’t sit without you putting down your berth, remember?”
“Oh, alright,” he said and slowly got down to his feet. He helped her take the chain out and put down the berth. Then he sat on the lower berth covered in blanket and tried dozing off.
“Wake up, sissy,” she said shaking him. Once again there was a thudding noise… that surely woke him to his senses. It was the Punjabi jumping off mid way from the top. He had this look on his face that would give you a stroke if you aren’t as big as him. It was all meant for Abhay. The Punjabi walked towards the toilet within the compartment.
“You guys should settle it and make up, buddy,” said Neha.
“You think?” he asked.
“Of course you should. Go show your magic,” she said pushing him gently. He got up on his feet and started to head to the toilet. Then he turned around and looked at her head to toe.
“You took a shower on the train?” he asked.
“Is this important right now?” she asked.
“Well… in that case I should consider brushing,” he remarked and bent down to take his brush, paste and face wash from his bag under the seat and then walked toward where the Punjabi went.

15 minutes passed. Both are not to be seen. She was getting a little concerned by then. Then there was this sound of people laughing. The two appeared to their place with hands on each other’s shoulder and huge grins on their faces.
“Hey Neha,” called Abhay. “Guess this guy’s name. It is Happy Singh,” he said sarcastically and both he and his new found buddy started laughing. Neha was wondering what transpired.
“So sweet,” she said nervously. He introduced him to her and they all sat together. Happy Singh then introduced himself to the French and they also opened up within no time. It was a riot after then and everyone was starting to open up. It eventually became the noisiest part of the compartment.
“Hey Abhay,” called Happy. “You know what… I would love to get you married to my sister. But you are lucky. She ran away with my daddy’s driver.” Everyone was quiet for a moment. Abhay and Happy were looking face to face. And then both started laughing aloud with perfect synchronisation. The others also joined. “No, seriously… it wasn’t cool of her,” said Happy stopping the laughter all of a sudden. Everyone returned to being normal then.

The train staff delivered breakfast to everyone by 9:00am. He gave Happy two sets of breakfast as he was asked to.
“You a glutton?” asked Emile, the French girl?
“Mutton?” asked Happy with food on his mouth. She laughs.
“You love to eat, don’t you?” she asks.
“Yes, of course. But I am on a diet now,” he says.
“So Happy… you married?” asks Pierre, Emile’s boyfriend.
“Yes brother. We are blessed with 7 tigers,” he says.
“You have 7 kids?” asks Neha.
“Now what can I say, sister? My wife is… very giving. She is so generous that now I have to work extra every day to feed my tigers and tigresses,” he says. “But I have these 8 people to live for… 4 boys to protect me when I become old and 4 women to nurse me when I fall ill. Happy is always happy because of them,” he says with warmth and affection. “But I can’t always be there for them. To secure their future I have to travel the world,” he said with emotion.

By 10:00am, the train reached its 26th station, Vijayawada jn on time. Abhay was given the responsibility of taking care of the baby girl Krishna, as he seemed to have the knack with children more than anyone else there. Krishna’s mum wished to take a small bath. The baby had long curly hair like springs. She looked outside the window while laying on his stomach. She was calm and she seemed to be enjoying his fingers running across her hair. She held on to her rattle with her left hand. Neha was chatting with Emile and Pierre was on the upper berth indulged to his reading.

“You like him don’t you?” asked Emile in a low voice.
“Yeah, he is a good guy it seems,” replied Neha.
“That is not what I meant,” said Emile. “You really like him don’t you?” she asked again. Neha looked at her for a second with a confused smile seeming she didn’t really make out what she meant.
“No, not at all,” she replied smiling.
“Why not?” asked Emile holding her hand firmly.
“Look at him,” she said suggesting her to look at him.
"He seems to be enjoying the company of that baby girl. They seem to be bonding well. It is very hard to find marriage material men these days. And I know you like him. A girl could tell, you know?”
“It is not that,” said Neha. “I just can’t afford to be in a relationship right now,” she said with a little concern shown on her face.
“Be sure where to find him whenever you are ready,” said Emile, still having a firm grip on her hand.

“Help!” shouted Abhay. “Guys, help!” the baby was trying to throw the rattle in her hand out of the window. He was holding on to the baby with his left hand and had a bottle of Pepsi on his right. He tried to sway away from there but he couldn’t find that easy at the moment. He was asking the girls to help him get the rattle before she threw it out. But for some reason the girls just looked on. He moved away a bit and the rattle was now on the window frame. Somehow it didn’t fall out. The baby seemed to be calm now. So he tried to move back to get the rattle. As he moved closer the baby just flicked it with her finger and it fell out. He tried to catch it with his right hand and poured the Pepsi on her in process. She could taste it on her lips. She gave out a titter.

“What’s going on here?” asked Urmila, the girl’s mother who just returned from a bathe. Krishna and Abhay looked innocently at her. He doesn’t stand a chance of taking care of this baby again.

****

By 1:00pm, the train had stopped in an intermediate station for possibly what looked like a train crossing. It has made this stop for more than 8 minutes. Abhay was standing on the entry door of his compartment... probably catching some fresh air.
“Hope I am not disturbing you,” said Neha from behind.
“How can a boy get disturbed by such a beautiful girl?” he asked.
“Hitting on me, eh?” she asked punching him on his arm. “Wow! It is beautiful,” she remarked looking out and seeing the sun rays penetrate through the branches of the tall trees that were everywhere. There were at least 20 cows masticating on the open fields that were a bit beyond the station.
“Neha… I am going to do something which I've never done,” said Abhay.
“Oh! No. That doesn’t seem right,” remarked Neha.
Abhay got out of the train and ran. Neha shouted to him "don’t!", but he speeded away and went beyond the station towards the open field. He scared a few cows as he was running in. He took a bunch of hay from a bundle lying down on the ground and slowly offered it forward to one of the cow’s mouth. She could tell he was scared seeing the way he was approaching them with it. He was slowly attaining confidence and was now more convinced in his own actions. He fed another cow that walked close to him. He was enjoying this. He turned around to wave at Neha. He was jumping in joy with the hay in his hands. She couldn’t stop laughing. And then he felt a small push from behind. He wondered what it was. Then he felt another push. He turned around slightly and then ran screaming. He fell on the way, but was quick to recover to his feet. He jumped on to the platform of the station and still kept running until he jumped inside the train. He was puffing heavily. He put a hand on her shoulder and grasped for air.
“What was it?” she seemed concerned. But he couldn’t reply as he was out of breath. “What is it damnit?” she asked again.
“Few of them where bulls,” he said grasping for air. She took a moment to realize what happened and then busted out laughing. “Shut up, will you? I feel molested,” he said. She laughed harder. “What kind of people leave bulls and cows together?” he said in humiliation.
“This is also a free country you know?” she said mocking him and still laughing. “You better get yourself cleaned cowboy,” she said looking at his dirty clothes.
“Can you just get my stuff from my bag?” he asked her.
“Too embarrassed eh?” she asked. “All right,” she said.
He gave her his bag’s number lock and she got him a pair of clothes to change and his bathing kit. “I must say… your bag is very neatly arranged and packed in like all bachelor,” she said sarcastically and handed over his stuff.
“Please don’t tell this to anyone,” he requested in shame.
“Oh! Chuck it man,” said Neha.

Abhay freshened up and returned to his seat. Neha was reading a book and she didn’t look up as he came and sat beside him. He looked around and smiled at everyone as if nothing had happened.
“Hey Abhay,” called Neha still looking at her book.
“What?” he asked coming close to her.
“No fast moves. Your fly is open,” she said still not looking at him. At first he thought she must be kidding. He slowly looked down and saw his pants unzipped. Luckily there was some inner wear. He slowly raised both his legs on to the seat and then without making any swift moves he put back the zipper of his pants. The entire process took him three and a half minutes. He was relieved and looked up to the heavens to thank the gods who avoided any further embarrassment. Pierre was on the upper berth and he gave him thumbs up as he looked up.

****

It was now 5:25pm. The train is now stopped in Balharshah Jn. A city named after an old emperor. It was the 29th stop the train has made. The train is now passing through the state of Maharashtra, the fourth state on our route. Professor Prakash and Nihal were having tea from the pantry.
“Urmila is my daughter in law,” said Prakash.
“Sorry?” asked Nihal.
“The young mother in the seat next to mine… she is my daughter in law. We are going to see my son,” said Prakash.
“Your son is in Delhi?”
“He is lieutenant colonel Sathya Prakash… a glorified army officer. Now, a victim of blood cancer,” says Prakash.
“I am sorry to know that,” says Nihal.
“My daughter doesn’t know this. She thinks we are making a casual visit,” he says with a smirking face.
“I don’t know what to say,” said Nihal.
“I have always prepared myself for the worst news when it comes to my son. But they were all meant to bring me pride. His death would have been on the line of duty. Maybe god didn’t want me to think of my son’s death. Now he is giving me a chance to pray and strive for his life. I know not how much I have to go. There is a girl growing up in the house. We need someone to keep her home after 10 at night, don’t we?” asks Prakash. Nihal just smiles without saying much. “Urmila is a soldier’s wife. She will be strong. But I still dare not tell her anything, myself. I might not be as strong as her.”
“It doesn’t mean your son will die, sir,” says Nihal. “I am sure there will be enough fight in him and fortune in his daughter that he will overcome this obstacle just like the many hurdles he would have gone through. Have faith…” he says. Prakash smiles and puts a hand on his shoulder.

It is now 8:20pm and we are approaching Nagpur station, 5 minutes late from the expected time. A man who seems to be handicapped is crawling on the passage of each compartment, cleaning the floor with a cloth and asking for a little alms in return. Neha could see him from distance. She was very much touched by it. She took out her purse and withdrew 50 rupees from it.
“Don’t,” said Abhay trying to restrain her.
“Oh, come on… be generous, now,” she said. The poor man was now beside them. She lends her hand forward and gives him the money. She couldn’t be stopped from showing humanity. She had pride in her face and she sat there with folded hands, looking out. Her expression started to change very shortly. A man appeared just a little away from the window. He took a bottle from his under pants and drank it. His face could not be made out in the dark. He was looking far on the station platform. Then he came closer to the train to get a better view further on the long stretched platform. His face was now more evident to her. It was the same old man who was handicapped just a little while ago. He then ran away to darkness as he saw the station police. She was embarrassed by it. She could just sense that Abhay was looking at her. He was ready to let her know what he felt. She tried to stay cool as if she hadn’t seen anything. It is not her fault that some men would do anything to buy some liquor.
“Told you so,” whispered Abhay in her ears. She held her position and didn’t move a muscle. She pinched him hard on his leg after 5 minutes. Scores had been settled.

It is almost 2:47am now. Everyone seems to be sound asleep. The train will reach Bhopal station in the next 10 or 15 minutes. It is in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Bhopal is the victim of the world’s worst industrial catastrophe that claimed the lives of 25,000 and still counting after 27 years. The air was still toxic with the blood of the innocent. It was getting very cold. Abhay was not sleeping well. He got out of his berth and came down. He looked over the sleeping Neha. He looked at her uncovered feet that were getting wet in the slight drizzle. He bent over and closed the window, and then pulled her blanket down to cover her feet. Then he climbed up and slept peacefully.
“Wake up,” called Neha, shaking him.
“It is morning already?” he asked looking out of his blanket with his eyes half open.
“It is almost 8:10 in the morning,” informed Neha. “We will be approaching Gwalior soon. Happy Singh gets off there, remember?”
“Oh, yeah!” said Abhay. He got out of the berth quickly and got ready to give Happy Singh his send off. Everyone there helped him pack his luggage. They all exchanged phone numbers.
“I have been traveling in this train for years. I never made so many friends before,” said Happy. “This boy right here,” he said pointing at Abhay. “He reminded me of my young days. Even I met my wife for the first time in a train journey at Mohali.”

Neha was a bit surprised by what he said. She noticed that Happy was looking at her when he said that. She became a little uncomfortable. Abhay was quick to realize the change in her face.

By 8:55am the train arrived at Gwalior station. Everyone came to the exit door to bid the big man good bye. They all waved hands at him as the train started to leave the station. Everyone returned to their seats, except Abhay. He sat beside the door steps. This time, she didn’t come for him.

By 10:29am the train reached Agra station which is in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The train was running 9 minutes late. Abhay could see glimpses of the greatest symbol of eternal love, the Taj Mahal itself, from here. In 3 hours, the train will reach New Delhi. This will come to an end. People will go their separate paths. The train started motioning after a 10 minutes stop. Abhay got up from near the exit door. He went back to his place.

“Neha, can you please come over to the door way?” he asked her in front of all and then went away. He waited there for 5 minutes. She finally came in slowly. “Hey,” he said to her. She looked down… didn’t say anything. Her hair was flying in the air. “You joined Trivandrum Engineering College at the year 2006,” he said. She seemed a bit surprised to hear it. “I was in the same college the final year when you joined,” he revealed. Her heart beats got heavier. “I fell in love the first time I saw you,” said Abhay. Neha was about to say something but, Abhay raised his hand to show her not to speak for now. He continued, “It was always you, Neha… always. If you don’t know, I was among the four students who found a breakthrough in a new 6 stroke engine in the course of our studies. Life was moving in another dimension since then. And we needed it to be as we all had causes at home that needed to be considered. I thought I missed you forever running behind all those things that were important for me to make ends meet. Eventually, days got lonelier with your place being only in my dreams. And then I decided to chase my dreams and find you and hopefully live a life with you. I have to admit that you have the chance to make me feel fortunate in life. And I know this is not the time to say this but, I guess we know how to make a bike give a better mileage that could take us 500kms without stopping,” he says smiling. That also brings a smile on her face. “For instance, if you fill the gas full tank before sunrise then the air expansion inside will be less and hence more mileage. Did I sound like a geek now?” he asked. She nodded in agreement. “So…” he said waiting for a reply from her.

She raised her head and looked at him… looked deep in his eyes. “I need to tell you a story of three women,” she said.
“Really?” he asked. “Like right now?” it was she who raised her hand now suggesting him to be quiet.
“Many years back an 18 year old girl ran away from her rich father to live with a man she loved. She knew she wouldn’t be allowed to marry this man who was from another caste and a businessman in Bombay (now Mumbai). Her father believed that this man made his money from doing dirty jobs such as smuggling. They got 'married' very soon. She was blessed with a baby girl. But the man doesn’t seem to care for her anymore. He was growing more distant each day. One day she decided to speak about this to her best friend who was her neighbour. She went inside her friend’s apartment, which was the next door. The front door of her friend’s house seemed to be unlocked. She went inside and saw her husband sleeping with her friend. Her whole world shattered. She shouted and cried and threw whatever she got in her hand. Her husband tied her up with the help of the other woman. He was so angry by her reaction that he pulled a few strings and got her admitted to a mental asylum saying his maid has gone mad. She couldn’t prove anything against him. They never legally married.”
“Is this…” said Abhay, who was stopped in between.
“The woman was later rescued by her rich father who was always making sure of her well being,” she said. “The second woman in my story is the baby who was sleeping in the cradle while this entire travesty was taking place. Her father might have found many women to share his bed but, he didn’t succeed in finding her even one mother-like figure. She however found a friend who also was raised without a mother. They went to school together. They exchanged the roles of mother and daughter with each other. Nothing could affect their friendship. One day a lady came to meet her at school. Can you guess who it was?” she asked.
“Her mother?” asked Abhay.
“Yeah,” confirmed Neha with a smile. “She had to come to be with her daughter after her father passed away and so she had no one to restrain her. But her daughter was only 12. She couldn’t make a decision of her own to be with her mother. The law wouldn’t consent to it without proof or consider a minor’s opinion no matter how much money you throw in to it. So they waited… and on the day she turned 18, she also ran away to the person she loved. Just like her mother… but this time it was a daughter deciding to live with her lonely mother. They got settled in New Delhi.”
“And what about the third woman?” asked Abhay.
“The third woman was her best friend and school mate. She used to visit them at holidays and they were one happy family. However, that happiness was short lived. Her friend’s mother was falling sick. Years of struggling and undisciplined life had ceased her kidneys from functioning properly. Her rare blood group of AB negative made it tougher for her to find a donor. They searched and advertised everywhere to find a perfect donor. But it was all in vain. It was then that the third woman thought of testing her own blood group. She was scared of needles. She has been scared of doctors and hospitals forever. It reminded her of her mother’s lat days. It was then that she found out that she had the same rare blood group that her best friend’s mother had. A further few tests showed that she was the perfect donor. Convincing her friend and mother was even tougher than going under those tests all alone. They finally approved. She knew her father nor her family would never agree to this. She also knew that no one might want to marry a girl who doesn’t have a kidney no matter how healthy she is. Above that she is scared to go through this and can’t show this fear even to her best friend,” her eyes now started to shed tears. “So, after a vacation at home she is going to Delhi, giving her father the impression that she is returning to her working place. And currently… she is standing in front of you,”
“What?” he said in utter shock. She just looked down, controlling her tears, leaning against the door. They didn’t say anything after that. They just stood there like that.

****

It was 1:35pm. The train arrived at New Delhi station 5 minutes earlier than the expected. Emile and Neha exchanged hugs after getting down. Nihal carried the baby girl Krishna and walked alongside Prakash and Urmila to the exit of the station. It was time for departing and for some it was just a start of a new friendship. Neha was about to step out of the station exit. Someone held her by the arm. She turned around to see Abhay.

“I thought it to be a coincidence when I saw you in the ticket booking counter at Trivandrum a few days ago. And I thought to be lucky when I checked the status to see that you were reserved to be right next to me. And when you told me the things you did… I realized that it was all just destiny. And I love the script god has for me, here. So… take this invitation card,” he handed over a card on a white envelope. “This card has the date and venue of my friend’s marriage. He wouldn’t mind you to come over with whoever you want to bring along. But remember… you coming over would mean that we are going to be married whenever you are ready to be… even if that is after a year from now. Is that clear, now?” she nods. And he runs away.

Almost a week had passed away. It was the day of his friend’s marriage. Abhay was standing in the front of the convention centre with his college friends. He is dressed richly in a cream Sherwani (a dress with a long over-coat made of suiting material with a lining as design… often worn with a pyjama. It is a traditional south-Asian dress which has become more fashionable and party wear through the years.) He and his friends were eagerly waiting for her to show up. Abhay was losing his hope. But his friends asked him to be patient.

Abhay was informed that he was required by the groom to help him get dressed. So he asked his friends to keep looking for her. They could recognize her as they were all from the same college. Abhay went over to help his friend to dress up. The groom’s father bought an old priest who was known for his divine powers. He was asked to bless the groom. Abhay went out of the dressing room, as the groom was all dressed up now and in the process of being blessed by the high priest. It wasn’t like he was going for a war. He walked ever so slowly to his friends. Instead of finding his friends in the lobby or entrance, he found them in the hall. They were all huddled together.

“What’s going on guys?” he enquired. They all broke the huddle and formed a semi circle. In the middle are two women. One of them is Neha, who is beautifully dressed in a beautiful light blue Lachcha (an Indian bridal or wedding wear which is done on various materials with embroidery. It will have a blouse and long skirt of the same colour). Abhay almost froze seeing her. He walked close to her. His friends huddled again and both Neha and Abhay were in the middle of the circle.
“Hey,” said Abhay with a smile.
“Hey,” she replied smiling.

** FIN**

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