Ridin’ the Rails…. – Chapter 1

There’s something about the sound of a train that’s very romantic and nostalgic and hopeful…

The sound of the alarm clock was like six different annoying sounds put together as one. It was blaring and unceasing and crippling one’s thoughts from a peaceful sleep. Hearing the ear-splitting sound, she jolted up and smashed on the snooze button as hard as she could. “It’s Monday", she told herself, cursing as she headed to finish off her morning routine and rush to work. Monday is the most difficult day of the week, and yes it indeed is, after a hell of a weekend, you’ve got to go to work to pay your bills. That’s when we realize that money just doesn’t fall from the tree.

After an hour or so she got ready and she picked her bag to leave when her mother yelled from the kitchen “So you are again skipping breakfast, aren’t you?”

“Mom I’m already 10 minutes late and I don’t think I will catch the usual train” She responded as her mom kept staring at her. After few seconds she responded “Fine, pack it,” and in minutes her mom handed her the breakfast box.

She half walked and half ran because she had to take an auto and then catch the train. Time was fleeting she had already missed her usual train but she still had hope that she will make it in time to the office if she catches the next one.

She reached the station and while she was getting her ticket she heard the sound of the train coming to a halt. She rushed past the crowd, running on the stairs and then she zig zagged past the crowd and finally made it to the train. It felt like an achievement for her because the train only waits for 3 minutes. She was almost out of breath and was sweating profusely, Monday trains are usually crowded than the other days. The train started to move and as the breeze touched her, she started to relax. She took the corner of her dupatta (that compliments an Indian attire) and wiped the sweat on her forehead and that’s when their eyes met.

He stood in the far corner of the same compartment which they shared but a small divider separated them. There was something in him that made her to turn again, to have a second glance. The instance she turned she knew why. “OMG! he is reading,” she said to herself. In a world of technology, he stood there holding a book and reading it. Her eyes scanned to read the name of the book but the crowded train never gave her chance.

She made glances at him now and then and often got caught by his gaze. When that happened. she immediately turned away. The crowded train slowly started to become deserted and she finally got a place to sit. This time she took out her book and started to read while he closed his. He kept gazing at her and sometimes at her book. She still tried to read the name of his book when he wasn’t looking at her way but luck wasn’t by her side.

There were only four more stations for her to reach the destination. She looked at her watch and thanked God as she will reach on time. She didn’t want to be late on a Monday morning.

The train slowly halted at a station, almost all of them got down and so did he. She bent and saw the name of the station and thought to herself “I wish I get to read the name of the book” and as she turned towards the window for one last glance at him. He stood there close to the window holding the book right against his chest, showing her the name of the book. Seeing his gesture her eyes opened wide and her cheeks flushed red. As the train started to crawl from the station she heard him say “Until next time” and he walked away with a smile while she sat there thinking “Damn, that’s an awesome book”

Would there be a next time…?

TO BE CONTINUED…