The Train

Travelling in a train has its own advantage.

Apart from being one of the cheapest and widely used transport mediums it also brings people closer,  even if for a short span of time.

For me , it’s kind of a temporary,  make -shift family with everyone having one destination yet a different agenda. 

In a train journey one can meet different people , listen to all the hustle and bustle around himself, and witness various human behaviour.

There’s a huge rush, with swarms of people coming out of the Train compartment, while at the same time people trying to enter into it.

An old lady is requesting a passenger, trying to enter forcefully into the train, to first allow her to get down. 

I wait for a while to let  others come out before enter into train.

It’s crowded inside with people standing and keeping their luggage in the luggage cabin.

Somehow manage to reach my seat and put my luggage in the cabin.

Once all settled down, railway staffs start circulating news paper.

“Sir water.” Railway staff handed over a bottle to me.

“Thanks “. I respond.

I look outside through the glass window. People keep moving with their luggage in a hurry, not to miss their train.

Slowly train starts moving, leaving behind the platform and those luggage laden anxious people.

It’s good to see moving people, places, trees. Somehow it always keep my brain quiet.

Train keeps things leaving behind with gradual speed.

Passenger next to me keeps on speaking on his phone. In spite of my strong dislike to eavesdrop, I can hear his counselling.

By profession, he may be a dietitian/ nutritionist.

A group of people most probably travelling together with family keep chitchatting.

‘Sharma ji , have some snacks. It’s home made”. Someone is saying from backside.

“I love to have. But doctor suggested to avoid fried food” . 

“ Nothing will happen if you eat one.”

I try to focus on outside scenes. Landscape change to paddy fields. It’s early morning and sun is still young. Few farmers already working in the fields.

There are few fields with marigold flowers. It looks pretty colourful in contrast to the paddy fields.

A kid is crying. Father trying to console her. 

“Sir, this is your snacks.”. Railway pantry staff handed over a plate to me.

Passengers suppose to off board the train, take out their luggage from luggage cabin.

Train slows down. Passengers starts off boarding. The person sat next to me also leaves the seat to get down.

I turn my face to see him once, out of curiosity.

Few people starts onboarding the train compartment. Another person now occupy the adjacent seat, a boy in early twenties most probably a student.

Train starts for the next destination. I start eating my snacks. Within few minutes my destination will arrive. I mentally take a note of my arrival time at home from station and pending works to be completed.

My neighbouring boy , is speaking with someone quite loudly. 

I feel bit distract due to some sound coming from some commotion inside the compartment.

It seems group of elderly people having some fun and chitchatting loudly. Probably all of them are retired person travelling in a group. 

“Sir, can I take your snacks plate please” . Sure, I handed over the plat to railway staff.

Through window , I can see the rising sun, a more crowded surrounding, few school going kids in cycle waving hands to us.

Still watching outside oblivious to others, I Feel like reels are moving in front of me with changing scenery. 

I come back to my surroundings, at  hearing the announcement of my destination . I get off from my seat and collect my luggage.

The train starts slowing down to finally halt at the destined platform . I start moving with other passengers to get down,

When steping down from train at the platform, I look inside. Still few people are there whom I recall from my just finished journey. 

Another  journey finished. I just bid adieu to my train till next journey.