Roli packed her clothes and catch an auto to Central Railway station to catch the train to Delhi.
Roli was tensed as she is travelling alone from Chennai to Delhi for first time. She usually travel with her friends for the college holidays and return with them. This time she is going alone. Roli remember what friend said her before buying the ticket.
Roli: Neetu, I am tensed as I am going alone this time.
Neetu: Roli, what is there in getting tensed.
Roli: Normally we go in groups so all the people in that complete 6 seats will be we all friends. But this time I will be going alone and not sure who will come next to me.
Neetu: If that is your problem, this time you better buy 1st AC ticket. Then only 1 person on one side & another will on the opposite side.
Roli: In that case also another will be there in the opposite side no?
Neetu: Above that nothing can be done. We cannot vacate the complete train for you.
Roli: Ok. Let me take the 1st AC ticket & see. Atleast I wont have anyone beside me to disturb.
Roli came back to consicous on horn sound of auto.
ROli was thinking, i have taken 1st ac ticket. But i am still afraid who will be in the opposite side.
By now ROli reached the Central station.
Roli paid the auto fare & got down.
ROli rushed towards the station entrace.
Few feet away, Siddhant got down from Call taxi.
Siddhant too need to catch the same train to Delhi from Chennai.
Siddhant took his bag and rushed towards the entrance of the station.
Due to terrorism threat there were severe checking happening in the station.
All the passengers were thoroughly checked before getting in.
Roli was standing in the Ladies queue fo checking while Siddhant was standing in the Gents queue for the same.
The time was running.
Inspite of both reaching on time, delay has happened due to this checking.
Roli & Siddhant were tensed.
They were looking at the watch then & there.
After few minutes finally their turn came for checking.
Once checking done they rushed towards the platform where their train is standing.
Roli & Siddhant reached the platform.
Roli was in compartment door on right side while Siddhant was on compartment door on the left side.
Roli wanted to buy some books while Siddhant wanted to buy water as he was feeling thirst.
Only couple of minutes left for train to start.
Roli rushed towards the left side where book stall was found while Siddhant rushed towards the right side where he found the water bottle.
In the middle they dash against each other.
Roli: Dont you have eyes on your face.
Sid: How dare you can talk like this? If you have face on your eyes you too can go without dashing on me.
Roli: Oh funny! I dont have time now to fight with you.
Sid: Yes its funny! I too dont have any time for you.
Roli & Siddhant went to the stall nearby to purchase those items.
Siddhant gave the change & buy the water bottle and kept in the bag while train gave the sound to announce its starting of the journey.
Siddhant rushed towards the compartment & kept his leg inside the compartment.
Roli after purchasing the book was running towards the compartment as train is about to leave.
Siddhant noticed ROli and stopped near the door.
Train just gave its first jerk movement & started its move.
Roli got tensed that she will miss the train.
Roli increased her speed and reached near the door where Siddhant was standing.
Siddhant forward his hands to ROli for helping her to get into the train.
ROli even though not interested to take his help, forward her hands to Siddhant which she thought better than missing the train itself.
Siddhant pulled her inside the train and ROli almost fell on him.
Roli tried to go behind to avoid falling on him.
Siddhant pulled her inside again so that she will not fall down from the train.
Siddhant took his bag and went inside.
Roli too went in search of her seat.
Siddhant entered into his seat No. 1 while ROli entered into the same row for her seat No. 2
Roli & Siddhant were shocked to know that they are going to travel together in the opposite seats.
Roli kept her bag below the seat & sat near the window.
Siddhant too kept his bag below and sat on his side window.
Roli was thinking, oh god! why you have put me in such difficult situation where I need to travel the whole journey with this person.
Roli's face expression changed as if irritated.
Sid noticed her face expression.
Sid was thinking, oh god! i have welcome myself this difficulty into train by giving my hands and getting into the train.
Sid too was irritated which was also shown on his facial expression.
Roli & Siddhant turned towards the window to avoid looking at each other...
Writers Corner: Books, Stories & Poems
Anupamaa
