An overnight Bus trip 1

Is it possible to get a last-minute train reservation, especially from Kolkata to Siliguri? And who can explain this to the office manager?

He didn't say anything in the morning. At 1 p.m., he called me into his office and said, "Sumit, there's a big order opportunity in Siliguri. Do one thing: leave on tonight's train. I've had all the documents, our offer, and catalogs put in this file by the secretary. Go through it, and if there's anything you don't understand, ask me. Withdraw some money from the cashier, buy your train ticket, and go home to pack. You might have to be there for three or four days. Catch the 8 p.m. train tonight. I've scheduled your meeting with the customer's Materials Manager for tomorrow afternoon after lunch, so you can rest at the hotel and go fresh. If you need anything, just call me." With this long lecture, the manager left the office.

He just gave the instructions and washed his hands off. Now I have to rush. Suddenly, I have to go on a three- or four-day trip, and that too, tonight. This is the hassle of a sales job.

Oh, I haven't even introduced myself to you. I just kept babbling on. My name is Sumit, as you know. I'm a Senior Sales Executive at a good private company, now based at Kolkata. I'm 32 years old. No, I'm not married yet. Why? Well, there's a reason, but now isn't the time to discuss it. Maybe I'll tell you later when I have some time. Right now, I need to reserve a train ticket first.

I sat at my desk, opened the computer, and tried to make a reservation, but there was nothing available, just a waiting list. 

Since I have to go, I tried for a bus ticket instead. I don't usually prefer long-distance bus journeys. I can't sleep properly at night, and with two people sharing a seat, if the person next to me is a bit healthy, he takes up both the armrests.

 But there's no other option. I opted for an AC sleeper bus where at least I can recline a bit. I managed to get a seat somewhat towards the front, though not a window seat. Oh well, since I have to go, there's no choice. I booked the ticket and went home to pack my bag.

The bus will leave at 8 p.m. and reach Siliguri early tomorrow morning. I arrived at the bus stand a little before 8 p.m., found my bus, and boarded it. But when I located my seat, I was shocked to find a lady sitting in my seat. 

It's hard to guess a woman's age, but she seemed to be between 30-35 years old. I politely said, "Ma'am, this is my seat. You might be sitting in the wrong one."

The lady smiled a little and said, "Actually, this window seat is mine. If you don't mind, could you please take the inner seat? I have a bit of difficulty sitting there."

I was quite pleased because I had wanted the window seat anyway. I immediately agreed, "No, no problem at all. I'll take the inner seat."

The lady smiled broadly and said, "Thank you!" and stood up, because I couldn't get to the inner seat while she was sitting. As she stood, I realized why she had a problem. She was quite tall, unusually tall for an Indian woman. Standing next to her, I guessed she must be about five feet ten inches or maybe a bit more. My head barely crossed her shoulders and was even under her chin level. Yes, I'm a bit shorter than the average man, just around five feet three inches. I'm also of average build, weighing about 63 kilograms.

I was trying to lift my bag to the overhead luggage rack, but the space was crammed with other bags, and I wasn't able to reach it properly. The lady, standing behind me, noticed and reached over my head, moving the other bags slightly to make room for mine. Then she took the bag from my hands and lifted it over my head, placing it on the rack. With a sweet smile, she said, "Now you can go and sit inside."

Obligingly, I went to sit by the window, and she sat down next to me. She smiled a little awkwardly and said, "I’m sorry, because of my odd height that I have this problem. Sitting on the side allows me to stretch my legs out a bit."

I interrupted, "What do you mean by 'odd height'? Your height is fantastic! How many women in our country are so tall? For that matter, how many Indian men are so tall? By the way, how tall are you exactly?"

The woman hesitated a bit and replied shyly, "I'm five feet ten inches barefoot, and with shoes on, I appear about five eleven."

I couldn't help but say, "Wow, I'm envious of you. You're a woman and you're five ten, while I'm a man and only five three. Can you believe it, you're seven inches taller than me! I wish I could exchange heights with you!" I laughed.

"I'm willing to trade. If I were five feet three inches, I’d be the happiest. Want to exchange?" she said, laughing. The lady had a good sense of humor.

I said, "That's not in my fate. Anyway, it's nice to have met you. I'll have someone to talk to during the journey. I can't sleep on buses, you see. By the way, I've been talking so much, I haven't even introduced myself... My name is Sumit. I'm going to Siliguri for work."

The woman said, "My name is Jyotika. You can't sleep on buses, but I can. However, I don’t fall asleep until after midnight, so we can chat until then." She laughed.

I asked, "Do you live there, in Siliguri?"

She replied, "I'm currently living there for work, but my home is in the outskirts of Kolkata."

By this time, the bus had started. Most of the seats were filled. The AC was turned on, and soft music was playing. The lights were still on inside the bus. The conductor was checking tickets. Soon, the main lights would be turned off, leaving just a faint green glow inside. These buses are pretty good.

I was observing the lady. She wasn’t just tall; she was well-built. Not fat, but solid, like an athlete. Her complexion was a bright dusky shade, the kind they describe in marriage ads. Her face wasn’t conventionally beautiful, but there was a sweetness to it. She was dressed in a simple, light-colored cotton salwar kameez with a plain design.

I noticed that even while sitting, Jyotika was almost a head taller than me.

There was a lull in the conversation, so I started again, "Do you play any sports? I mean, your physique suggests so."

She smiled and answered, "I used to play volleyball and was in athletics, like long jump, javelin, and heptathlon. I played at the state level, though I didn't win any national medals. I couldn’t progress beyond that."

I said, "That's impressive! Aren’t there jobs available in railways or other sectors for sportspeople? Didn’t you get one?"

Jyotika smiled and said, "Yes, I got a job in the police through the sports quota. I work for the North Bengal Police. I was home on leave, and now I'm returning to my posting."

I said, "Wow! You're in the police! And a national-level player too! So, do you stay in the police quarters?"

Jyotika replied, "I used to, but now I rent a small room with a colleague. We can live more freely, eat what we want. The person I live with is about ten years older than me, Mala didi. She was a weightlifter."

I said, "She must be really strong then?"

Jyotika laughed and said, "Yes, even at almost forty, she’s in great shape. She can still beat me at arm wrestling."

I said, "So you're about thirty? Ohh so you are two years younger than me? I thought you were older."

Jyotika asked, "Why? Did you think I was older because I'm taller and bigger than you in size?"

I laughed, "You’re almost double my size. I must have looked like a little boy standing next to you. When you lifted my bag over my head, I was so embarrassed."

Jyotika laughed and said, "Really? I'm much taller and heavier than you. So even though I'm a woman, I'm stronger than you too. What’s there to be embarrassed about?"

This hit my pride. I said, "You may be taller and heavier than me, but I'm still a man, and you’re a woman. I'm definitely stronger."

Jyotika burst out laughing. "Did I hurt your pride? But how can we prove it on the bus? Come to Siliguri, I'll take you to our place. Then we’ll see who’s stronger."

I wasn't going to back down either. I joked, "How do you plan to prove it?"

Jyotika, enjoying the banter, said, "However you feel comfortable—arm wrestling or wrestling. I’ll beat you easily."

I challenged her, "Alright, I’ll bet a thousand rupees. Are you in?"

Jyotika said, "No, not money. I can't take your money."

I quickly said, "Oh, you're scared you'll lose the bet, aren't you?"

Jyotika laughed, "Afraid of you? If I scooped you up in my arms, you wouldn’t be able to get down unless I let you."

After entering the highway, the bus dimmed its lights significantly. It’s almost dark now. The air conditioning has become quite cold. With music playing, you can’t hear the other passengers' conversations—just the ones you're having with your own companions. 

Jyotika took out a large shawl from a bag under her seat and said, "They turn up the air conditioning so high that it gets chilling. That’s why I brought a shawl." She wrapped herself in the shawl and reclined her seat. Everyone had started reclining their seats, so I did the same, getting into a half-reclined position.

Jyotika said, "If you’re feeling cold, come under my shawl. It’s big enough."

She lifted the armrest between our two seats. With the armrest out of the way, there was a bit more space. She draped her shawl over my back, and I wrapped it around myself too. I said, "Yes, now I’m not feeling cold anymore."

Jyotika smiled. Our shoulders were now touching. She was sitting to my right. She reached under the shawl with her left hand and grabbed my right wrist. I looked at her face in surprise. She was smiling slyly and said, "Now try to free your hand from my grip."

I realized that she was testing her strength. I thought it wouldn't be too difficult—I’d just give a little twist and free my hand.

Oh no. I couldn’t even move my hand, let alone twist it free. I tried really hard, but I couldn’t break free from her grip. Jyotika’s smile widened with each passing moment. She then pulled my hand onto her lap and held it straight there. Bringing her face close to mine, she whispered, "And this is just my left hand. What kind of man are you? You can’t even free your right hand from the grip of a girl younger than you? If it hurts, just let me know, and I’ll let go." She started laughing.

I put all my strength into trying to free my hand, but she kept it trapped on her lap, laughing mockingly as she brought her face close to mine. Then she said, "There, I’m letting go. Otherwise, I might break your wrist with my grip." She released my hand, and I started rubbing my wrist. She really did make it hurt.

Then, placing her left hand on top of my right hand under the shawl, she said, "Now you try holding it, and I’ll try to free it. Your right hand against my left hand."

I saw my chance. I had to break her arrogance. Even if it was her left hand against my right. I grabbed her wrist tightly. But what was this? Her wrist was so thick! I couldn’t even wrap my fingers completely around it. When she held my wrist, her hand and fingers had wrapped completely around it. Nevertheless, I held on as tightly as I could.

She observed me with a faint smile and asked, "Ready?" I nodded and said, "Yes."

She counted, "One, two, three," and with a single twist, my grip broke, and her hand was free.

Jyotika pulled my right hand back onto her lap again, gently caressing my wrist as she looked at me and said, "Sumit, I really like you a lot. Will you be my friend?"

I replied, "Jyotika, you’re a girl, yet you easily defeated me with your strength. You’re taller, heavier, and stronger than me. Am I really worthy of being your friend?"

My hand was now completely enveloped in her large palm. She said, "You know, Sumit, I don’t have any male friends. Boys don’t even like talking to me. Just because I’m so tall, they get an inferiority complex. But you, you didn’t feel any inhibition about my height. You even complimented me on my height and figure so much. You’ve accepted me like a true friend. I’ve been waiting for someone like you—someone who would be my friend despite my unusual size, who would look beyond my height at the real me."

I said, "Jyothi, if you call your beautiful tall figure 'unusual' again, I’ll lift you up in my arms and won’t let you go."

Jyotika laughed and then wrapped her arms around me from behind, pulling me onto her chest under the shawl. She placed her hand under my thighs and scooped me onto her lap. She was so much taller and broader than me that she could easily hold me in her embrace, making me feel like a child sitting on her lap. She pressed my face against her chest under the shawl. I felt like I was half-lying on a large, soft cushion. She enveloped my entire body in her embrace. I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and security, being held in her lap. I realized she had gently tucked my face into the crook of her neck. It was so soft and cool. My nose and lips brushed against the skin of her neck. I was completely covered in the shawl, lying on her lap, pressed against her chest, with only Jyotika’s face visible outside. Her eyes were closed. It seemed as if holding her cherished one so close had fulfilled a lifelong dream for her.


I must have dozed off. The bus hit a bump, waking me up. I was still curled up under the shawl on Jyotika's lap. The bus seat was reclined, so I was practically lying on top of her. My head was resting on her chest. She was so much taller than me that I could feel that my feet didn't even reach her ankles. I shifted around on her body, but she seemed completely unaware. Jyotika was asleep. I was lying on her long, broad body, turned to my side. I gently shook her hand and whispered, "Jyotika, wake up."

She responded with a sleepy "Hmm," then pulled the shawl away from my face and looked at me. 

I said, "Can you please let me down from your lap?"

Jyotika replied, "Why? Stay here on my lap. It's not bothering me at all. I even fell asleep with you lying on me. You go back to sleep too."

I laughed and said, "I fell asleep too, lying on your soft lap. But I think the bus is about to stop for dinner. Let me sit in my seat now."

Jyotika carefully shifted her body towards the inside of the seat, gently lifted me, and placed me in my seat. She then tidied up the shawl a bit.

I asked, "Will you eat something when the bus stops?"

She replied, "I had a proper meal before boarding the bus. I might have something light. It's not a good idea to eat too much on a bus journey. Will you eat?"

I say, "No, I won't eat much on the journey either. Let's see what light snacks we can find."

Jyotika pulled my hand and smiled mischievously, saying, "How did it feel sleeping on my lap like a baby ?"

I responded, "What were you doing? You actually had me lying on your lap. What if someone had seen us?"

Jyotika gently squeezed my hand and said, "How would they see? I had you completely covered under the shawl. And you're so small that you fit perfectly on my body even under my face level."

I said, "Wow! And you fell asleep with me lying on your lap like that. What if the shawl had slipped off? Or if neither of us had woken up and the bus lights had been turned on? Then...?"

Jyotika laughed. "Honestly, it was so comfortable having you on my chest that I fell asleep. I'll sleep like that tonight too."

I pretended to be angry and said, "No, you can't sleep like that at night. You'll lose track of things. What if someone sees?"

Jyotika said, "So what if they see? I'll say we're husband and wife."

I looked at her with wide eyes.

Jyotika squeezed my hand again and said, "What happened? Did you get scared?"

( To be continued…)