Those Little Train Stations

Weather like today always reminds me of train journeys I undertook growing up. Those little stations that passed by. The smell of coffee and tea - the din, the sea of people...

I so vividly remember one of those journeys after all these years...

On a foggy cloudy late afternoon...the engine blew it's whistle and chugged out of the little train station situated on the outskirts of our quiet little town. I settled myself at the window and looked longingly at the green fields that belonged to people I knew and grew up with, all my life.

The train chugged away at a reckless speed...

Ah! The compartment. Always held a special place for me. Because I see it as a place where there are a myriad of characters that come and go. There is always a story, a drama that is happening right there. It is education I get for free! And a treat for me to simply watch...

People who seem to travel for eating - loads and packets of food is consumed. People who chat, laugh, fight and everything else. It is most interesting to get into the drama without really participating..that's the fun part :-)

I saw people busy in getting their luggage arranged. Above them was a single guy already immersed in a book - he didn't seem to care about all that happened around him. On the farther side sat a middle aged lady, and along with her sat a young girl in her mid twenties. I saw that she was average in her looks, wore glasses and had a beautiful smile. Behind those glasses I saw big brown eyes- curious, ready to smile and happy!Everyone seemed to have found their favorite spots and had settled in. Suddenly I heard a commotion, some arguing and then a thump of baggage being unloaded right next to me. I looked up and saw a fat man in his mid forties, carrying at least 3 bags and a big large suitcase - he had also managed to hold a cup of coffee with one hand. He was precariously balancing everything and he finally sat down carefully. Within 5 minutes of sitting, out came a packet of chips - he seemed such a friendly person with a very cheerful disposition. He turned to me and said "Has the ticket collector been here already ?" I nodded my head. He offered his pack of chips to everyone - I refused. He again said " what's the fun in travelling if you don't eat ?". I laughed - I hated to eat even a single bite even on the longest of my journeys! We were at least 3 hours into our journey. The young man who had buried himself in the book was alive to the world again - he had gotten down to stretch. He kept standing at the door and I noticed that he kept smoking and looking out for a long time. A thinker, a writer, an artist ? who could he be, I thought. He was unshaven, dark, tall, rugged and handsome in a very uncommon way. I shrugged - what do I care who all these people are.

An hour passed, and when I decided to get myself a coffee, I saw that the young man and the girl with the lady seemed to have gotten to know each other, and were busy chatting up. Young blood I thought - never waste a moment. Talk, talk all the time!
The guy seemed to have a good sense of humor - for everything he said, the girl seemed to be bursting into laughter. He then brought out a harmonica and played it for a while. He then set to teaching her how to play the harmonica.

Night fell, and everyone quietly ate their dinner. The fat man next to me had been a munching machine, and must have eaten at least a few pounds of nuts, crackers, candy, chips and god knows what. He had additionally guzzled a few quarts of soda, coffee, and water. Would he finish up all the food on planet Earth if left lose I thought. I laughed at my own imagination ! I was funny - at least I made myself laugh !

I glanced at the door, and on the steps I saw them - still chatting away. The girl and the guy were busy discussing - probably the most important topics they thought they could never find time to catch up on. Did they have to resolve world issues right this night sitting in that cold on that doorstep ? Why was I so bitter ? Why did it upset me that they were having such a good time? I chided myself at those unwarranted thoughts. The soft sounds of the harmonica continued into the night.

I woke up a couple of times in the middle of the night - still could hear their quiet banter, interspersed with soft laughter. I finally sat up at about 5AM in the morning. It was my usual time to be up. I peeked outside the window and saw that the train had stopped at a big station. There was the aroma of coffee!

I saw that the guy had gotten down to get them both some coffee. Will make a good husband to some girl one day I thought! I got myself a cup and watched the sunrise through the crack of the window. Watching a sunrise and a sunset has always been very special for me - I feel very raw and primal in my gut when I see the elements of nature resplendent in it's true colors!

The friendship between the two seemed to have grown.They were very comfortable, and the girl seemed to have picked up playing the harmonica. I saw the girl's mother tell her to catch some sleep and that it was enough. She turned a deaf ear and on went their chat.

A day into the journey, I was ready to throw up at the sight of any food - my fat neighbor had done that to me !

That night I saw them talk again on the door step - everyone in the compartment was fast asleep. I had nominated myself to be the watchdog ! well, the truth was that I couldn't sleep with all the coffee in the evening.

As I watched them, I saw the guy hold her hands for a brief minute - she seemed to be listening to him - very intently. Certainly they were discussing something very important to both of them ! I wish I could move closer to hear. I then looked at her mother and thought - why can't she tell her daughter to go to bed now ?

I woke up the next morning, and found the guy ready with his bags to get down. The train was at a station. The guy and the girl were saying their good-byes almost at the top of their voices, and at the very end, there was a quiet quick exchange of glances and the guy got down.I immediately saw a couple, who seemed like his parents come to receive him.

Since the train had a long stop at that station, I got down and walked to the news stand.

The guy seemed to have forgotten his book - the one he hadn't had the time to read since the first day. He had run back to the compartment to get it, and seeing his parents standing next to me, I smiled. His mother smiled back and began a casual conversation and told me that she was so happy to see him back home. After all, he was to get married that month! It stirred up something in me.

The guy had come back by then and they left.I silently began to walk back to the train.

I went back to the train and saw the girl at the window. She was busy talking to the fat man and the old couple now. The train moved on, and another day passed before we reached our destination. I was irritated with the girl - I now wonder why ?

The girl seemed to have moved on too - she did not waste another minute getting to know the entire compartment, and had ended up eating many packets of chips with the fat man ! And that night, I saw her sit at the door step - she had the harmonica ! She began to play the notes I heard them play before. He had left his music behind for her.

She seemed happy - so, why was I not ? why was I feeling as if something beautiful that could have happened did not happen? Why the restlessness in me - someone who was only a passive by-stander?

But a few years later when I think back, I always smile and think - if it was meant to be, it would have. And I also believe that nothing can ever stop it from happening again!

Such is Life isn't it? These little journeys are always something you can smile about when you think back...

Enjoy this song for the weekend:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vo1MykK4u8U