The Encounter

I have a sketchy memory of the incident but this is what I remember.

I was finally on my way back home to Jamnagar, Gujarat. On the train, it was not like last time (:D) Only some boring old people. Happily holding on to their newly issues blankets and white sheets and eagerly checking and shouting out if they had a faintest stain. Come Baroda station and at the adjacent local compartment, there was a sight to see. Not less than 40 young gujarati businessmen, trying to get in through the poor door. I wondered how would a lady passenger board that compartment.

I washed my face and then suddenly a young lady dashed into the compartment. In the yellow light of the bulb her face was shining from perspiration and she was violently gasping for breath. A fear gripped me, was I concerned? Is she all right? Is she putting up an act? I was caught for a second. And in that one second I captured(and assumed) her several details with such efficiency that id have made an instructor at CIA proud. She was wearing those faded orange tshirt and traveling pants like those foreign tourists wear. Her golden complexion and thin brownish hair. I walked back into the compartment but my thoughts left behind. Her huge brownish eyes looked so terrified. Is she all right?

Barely 2 minutes had passed. I had to go back. But I just came from there … humm … TOILET! … so I went back. She was still there, talking to someone on phone. Entered the bathroom, took off my glasses (nice greenish brown eyes dude, i winked) splashed water on my face. Came out, she was still talking … OOPS! … in not leaving. She kept staring at me while talking on her phone for some 5 minutes (or was it a second). Abruptly she hung up, and I asked her immediately…

AO: “Are you Okay?”

Gal: “Yes i …”

AO: “You really looked breathless, so i thought of asking if you were okay”

Gal: “Im fine, was just trying to get into the general compartment, but it was so crowded. I have this problem of heavy breathing when I get tensed”

AO: “Is your ticket on wait list? you can pay these Ticket guys and get a seat in Sleeper class or AC. They will consider your case cos ur not too well” (i thot she was from abroad, with a waitlisted ticket)

Gal: “hum middleclass ke log hain, nahi afford kar sakte“

She said this in a way that I have not been able to figure out to this day.

Should i speak in english? hindi … what does she …

AO: “Are you in college? cos usually (me smiley) college people get into trouble like this, last minute reservations and stuff” (she smiled back)

Gal: “No”

AO: “Ah, I thought you were, so wanted to offer you help or advice” (oh was I indeed!?)

A middle aged guy wearing glasses, standing right beside her all this time, who from his looks was undoubtedly was a gentleman who spoke only when required, interrupted our one sided conversation.

“She is not going far, will get down at Rajkot”

AO: “(me blushing) Oh okay! Take care then!”

I was still red. Dont know why. Did the AC guys turn down the cooler.

Rajkot passed 11:00pm. Its 11:30. She is still on the train, sitting inside the compartment now.

I felt so excited, yet I dont exactly know for what reason.