The Man Who Sat Beside Me

I kept my bag beside me and looked around me. As expected, there was no co-passenger. I was alone. The train started 10 minutes later. I made myself comfortable. I was getting more and more excited about meeting Jatin after such a long time. Three stations passed after which four people got in and sat around me.

College memories of Jatin flooded my mind. I gazed out of the window at the world that ran by the fast moving train...I was starting to feel drowsy when I first started to listen to the conversation that was going on among my four co-passengers. Apparently, they were talking on what can be the most shocking incident in day to day life. A person claimed having a good mother-in-law should account for the first place. A roar of laughter followed. I also found myself smiling when the man well sat beside me remarked, "Imagine all the members of a family dying at the same time " and looked at me. And smiled. Everyone got silent for a moment and then shouted at him for being so morbid. I closed my eyes and concentrated on getting some sleep.

The sun was setting. Birds were returning to their nests. And there were a group of people, trudging across a dusty path, chanting something. They were carrying dead bodies.

I woke up. It was such a dreadful dream. Seats around me were again lying vacant. My co-passengers had got off somewhere. I got up and prepared to get off. I reached Jatin's place at noon. His parents were so happy to see me after such a long time. I enjoyed a heavy meal and then trodded around the place. There was a river nearby and I spent some time there. Then came time for my siesta. I fell asleep quickly. When I woke up, it was due to a loud crashing sound. Dust blew all around me. Debris was lying here and there. A part of the terrace had given way. Jatin! I ran out. The servants were running to and fro. I stood there, helpless, as they, aided by the neighbors, pulled out the bodies one by one.

The sun was setting. Birds were returning to their nests. And there were a group of people, trudging across a dusty path, chanting something. They were carrying dead bodies. And I walked along with them. Thinking. Thinking of the man who sat beside me. Thinking of his smile.