The reason why I remember this journey is one person. And, to dramatize what has happened.
It was the evening time. All Of us (Me,Shashi,Ramu,Murali,Ramya,Janaki & Santhoshi) and All other Who Came for Sendoff are Much tensed. Also everybody is in tears (Bcoz we r leaving all of our friends). The Charminar Express Came Slowly from the Nampally Station.We got into the Train Quickly. All 4 girls settled in S10 and We 3 boys got berths in S3.
We just left the platform, waving goodbye to everyone on the platform.
For those who do not know these train journeys in India, go and try….Get a new life!
Novembers in Hyderabad are generally chilly and occasionally Romantic. The cold breeze, light blue skies and white clouds decorates the city.
It gives me great pleasure when I look at those skies…, calm and peaceful. May be God always thinks how to paint that huge canvas.
After Setteling the Berth Issue of Janaki in S10. I was back to my seat. I am too selfish to leave the window seat to anyone and we were slowly leaving Hyderabad, 30 minutes into the journey. I was enjoying the air with my palm and the rest of the people are still working out on other stuff like who sleeps where, who eats what and when. Ramu was busy searching for another window seat.
We had our dinner around 8.30 and slowly the light started disappearing into the wild Forests. Most of the folks in the train were busy eating and there was a different and uneasy calm. I normally prefer sleeping on the upper berth. By the way, there are normally 6 berths on one side and 3 berths on other .I found the other two were still empty. I guess someone would either join us in the middle of the journey or they might just be ours to enjoy... :)
I was a great fan of Chandamama and since I knew we are going to have a long journey... It will come all the way with us till Morning. So I am watching it by peeping through window. I was habituated to the late bed Bcoz of Late night chats in STC, I felt bored… the train is in an unknown Station for a short time. I think it was close to 10 pm and I almost decided to shut my eyes down. I could hear odd noises at the time of the hour. I got up …disturbed by some noise in our side of the train. Two got into the Train for the other two berths that were empty. Both were females (hm mm!). I thought it was a grandma & grandchild combination and of course I found later that I was right.
There were some adjustments regarding berths. I acted as though I was sleeping….At last the grandchild had only choice was to take top berth, that to facing my berth. She might be in her teens just like me and for a second I felt that she might me little older than me or may be of same age. You now know my happiness, do you?
Chandamama, my favorite is Showering cool. Sometimes, you will be just lucky, you shouldn't ask why, it happens! All my fellow passengers went into deep sleep. The grandma is already sleeping. While I was watching my Chandamama in diff angles. I then saw her going on to the top berth, we saw each other casually and smiles were exchanged.
Luck favored me again; Ramu wanted my Chandamama, i.e. His lower berth I had reluctantly gave away my Chandamama. But, things weren't that bad. She spoke to me a while after settling-in Upper berth; "Hi! My name is …...". Now when a girl (she was really beautiful) says "Hi!", you normally give her a smile, I should say a funny face, but I told you that luck was on my side, so instant words came …. "Santosh" and gave a Stupid Salute (while she was giving a Shake hand) and I was happy that something has started.
She had a pillow and a blanket with her and she rested her lovely face in her palms with elbows resting on the pillow(like Bapu Bomma). If at all I was a poet, I would have written a Poem, If I’ve been a painter (of course I am), colors would flow from my brush, and it would be wonderful to watch. We slowly started talking to each other (remember, that rest of the train was almost asleep) and then came the little sad part. She told that she was doing her MCA 2nd year. Normally, girls look bigger than their age and I was misleader too and I should say that I was disappointed, a little. I decided to make this small journey a memorable one, at least for me… and we talked about many topics. One bad thing (actually good) about me is that... I will pour myself on everything and the opposite persons are normally impressed, but sometimes it goes over.
But now I wanted to listen only to her and not say anything, just listen and watch (actually I was staring) we spoke to each other about an hour and I was already a hero. Sometimes, we will meet few people some day in your life and we would like to spend the rest of the life with them, she was exactly that. Please do not think this to be a 'bada hero dialogue'. It may be, but that is what I felt at that time. However my thoughts were…, she was 1 year older than me and things will not work out. I am writing exactly what I felt at that time and my brain is now thinking about that.
I felt sleepy but uncomfortable, my eyes were staring outside and all of a sudden I’ve noticed the girl of my dreams (unslept) was right beside me. She said "Hi" and asked me if I am not getting sleep. I took few seconds to believe that she had the same sleepless condition and was searching for me. We spent least 2 hours at the door again chatting about everything below the Chandamama.
We finally decided to stop and go back to our beds. Now comes the real surprise of my life. She gave me wonderful good night gift, LITTLE HEARTS and I will never forget that moment.
We came back to our berths and started talking again.
I was continuing my stupid political talk.
I donno when she was slept but she is already in deep sleep.
I also went into deep sleep staring at my new Chandamama (her face).
Ramu Woke me up at 7AM. We are in the Outskirts of Tamilnadu.
I searched for her.....but it’s vain.
.
.
.
....
....
.........
Did She got down someWhere...??
Nop
Nop
:-( :-(....
I've come to Know …
It’s a DREAM……. :-P
Am Waiting for you my dear Chandamama.....Still VACANCY board in my Heart...
Memories are old books in our brain, Sometimes They may Cherish & Refresh us like this.
I know some or the other day our paths will cross again.