Love in Train

I don’t have any Bus story. But i can share love story during train journey.

It started 10 years back on my way to Delhi from my hometown Varanasi in "Shivganga Express"

I was in my second semester of engineering and like most of guys of that age group I was careless and hungry for attention. I was returning to Delhi after Dushehra vacations & it's great time of the year in India as you can literally smell the upcoming winters & it's a lovely weather to fall in love.

So, as a consequence of that careless attitude my reservation was not confirmed and I was holding a waiting ticket roaming in sleeper coaches to luckily find a familiar face to crash on.

May be God was too kind on me that day as I found one of my school mate Tanu in one of the coaches. She was a good friend during school time but we lost touch after that as in most of the cases. We had a lot to catch up and moreover I was happy that now I at least have a place to rest my ass for the night. The only problem being "That compartment was reserved for ladies".

By the term compartment I mean the set of 6+2 berths and all of them occupied by ladies. Two of them were already asleep on the upper berth. The only good thing about sitting there was no other waiting list passenger is going to come there and ask to adjust a little.

Being a sleeper coach it was pretty noisy with strangers debating over nothing, some challenging siddhu with their laughter, arguments over playing cards and some flashing new Nokia multimedia mobiles & me busy talking to Tanu.

I was wearing a half sleeves shirt over a full sleeved T shirt (Lakshya effect) and was feeling little hot. I took off my shirt and was uttering "Kaha feku.. Kaha feku" (where should I throw) trying to be cool & then I heard her "Agar ap chaho to yaha fek sakte ho" (If you want you can throw it here)

I looked up to find that the sleeping beauty was awake and she actually was breathtakingly beautiful. For around 5 seconds I was just staring her without uttering anything & then somehow composing myself I said "no, it's fine" to which she replied I am coming down anyways so this berth is vacant for the sometime. I kept my shirt there as she sat in front of us.

She told us that she was listening to our conversation since past one our and was enjoying it as both of us were sharing our B. Tech stories and when finally when couldn't hold any further decided to come down. Turns out that she was also a would be engineer and surprisingly all three of us were in 2nd year. I was the one doing most of the talking before she was awake and after it I was flabbergasted by her pristine beauty and was trying to refrain from saying anything stupid to make an ass of myself.

I am not sure whether she sensed it or if it was natural that she shared some stories of her ragging and few other embarrassing ones. I was surprised by the way she presented herself. As if she loves every moment of what she does no matter how good, bad or ugly it may be.

Most of the girls don't show their true self in first meeting. They try to be sophisticated, mature etc & there she was carefree & ready for anything and everything. Me being conscious was a rare occurrence back then and she made me. But, the amazing part was how easily she brought me back to my normal self.

We were having a real good time and a healthy fun conversation. Other ladies around us were also enjoying out stories thereby giving us occasional smiles.

As there is a halt of around 45 minutes at Allahabad junction, I rushed outside station to get cigarettes because my dad dropped me at varanasi station & didn't had time to grab it then. She gave me a mischievous smile as I returned. That was the time I was falling for whatever she did or said.

As the train left Allahabad junction, the dinner was out on table of course not mine. They both gladly offered me their food and the desserts after that (thanks to Indian mothers) and our conversation resumed. We went on and on and the time fled and as the lights were going off. I guess it was around 1 AM when finally a lady said "are you planning to leave our spend the night in ladies compartment". Her tone was unarguably rude and sensing that I felt bad she replied why are you bothered, he is not sitting at your berth & then the argument began to heat up.

Being sure that whatever outcome it may be it's not going to be good for me, I calmed her down, asked her to go to sleep, put my shirt back on and went for the door. I opened the door and sat there enjoying the cool breeze, smoking a cigarette and thinking what to do next.

Even before I could finish my cigarette I heard the voice "Are you planning to finish the packet alone? Haven't you heard sharing is caring."
Even if I had asked for a million dollars that day I guess I would have got it. Anyways, surprised I asked her do you smoke?

She answered "No, but neither do I talk to almost stranger sitting on doorsteps of train at 2 AM in the night". I passed her the packet and matchbox & she took out one stick. After wasting around 10 matchsticks she asked me to light it up for her. Although, she was mouth fagging the way she smoked made me sure that this wasn't the first time she is doing it.

The cigarette & moreover the total atmosphere made her philosophical. She told me how she always wanted to do this. Sitting in a train, doing whatever she wants, playing guitar, singing songs, smoking, not worrying about tomorrow etc etc. I was just watching her most of the time. The twinkle in her eyes everything she shared some stupid dream or mischief made me fall for her everytime. I knew it would be utterly stupid to be Ted Mosby so instead I thought I would just ask for her number and take it slow. But now was not the right time for it. I decided I will ask for it upon reaching Delhi. Who knows may be by then she goes for it first.

As the night passed, we did a lot of stupid things like playing Antakshari, one of us singing and other one playing guitar (from mouth), it sounded awful. Giving each other dares like stealing someone's shoes (yes, we did keep it back), waking up someone and asking for lighter etc etc. She told me that she do not have a boyfriend at present & I took it as +1. I did not wanted that night to end ever. But, finally at around 5 AM, I insisted her to sleep for couple of hours as she had to attend college next day. She asked me to share the berth with her but I denied as I was pretty sure it will make such a beautiful connection weird. She assured me that she won't take advantage of me but then there was no point going.

She woke up 15 minutes before we reached Ghaziabad. Tanu was already awake by then and I was talking to her. By that time she had started teasing me with her name. While Tanu had to go to Delhi, we both had to deboard at Ghaziabad.

We both waved goodbye to Tanu and then I turned to her.
Me : So....
She : Ummm.... Nothing. By far this was the best night of my life.
Me : Ya, mine too and trust me I have had plenty of memorable ones.
She : I'm sure you have but guess what. It's time to say goodbye.
Me (In my mind) : Ask for her number you idiot, there is no reason she would deny. Ask for it else I will kill you.
Me (my mouth) : Yup, every good things comes to an end.
She : K then, keep in touch, take care.
Me (In my mind) : Keep in touch how?
Me (my mouth) : Sure, you too, bye.

We hugged and then we parted. I wanted to look back but did not. May be i was afraid what if she do not.

Three Days Fast Forward

I am sitting in my hostel room and suddenly her mischievous smile that she gave me on Allahabad station flashed before my eyes. I called my roommate. Gaurav, I need your bike right now. That's OK, but where are you headed.
Me : An important job is pending since last 3 days and I need to finish it right now.

Minutes later, I was headed towards her college.