AMIDST STRANGERS



Mom and I were packed and ready, waiting for the cab, these trips to Palghat without dad was a bit heavy on the heart. When he was around he made sure we reached the railway station 2 hours ahead of time, so we didn't break the tradition and left home early. We reached the station with 90 mins to spare, the train was on the platform but the a.c. and lights were not switched on, so mom and I sat on the platform talking and enjoying the sights around. 

As we boarded the train the coach attendant got things in motion. A tall guy with an old lady who looked his mother and a small girl of 5 yrs in tow came over with loads of luggage and settled in our bay.I was worried as always, seeing a small kid and dreaded my night, slowly we got on talking. The son was going to drop his mom and daughter to his hometown for her vacation. He was a Malayali  born and raised in Kanpur as his dad was an air force officer, and fluently spoke Hindi, English and Malayalam.His daughter Ruth was a quiet sweet kid, much to my relief. Another 2 people boarded the train later, a young couple. Ruth's dad who was very friendly asked the young couple to take up the upper berths to which they readily agreed. We all sat and were easily conversing with each other as though we knew each other for years, sharing details of our work, place of stay and many other things .
All of us had our dinner, each his own and decided to get ready to sleep...the guys helped us get the berths set and we retired to the berths  ..Ruth wished us all a good night and suddenly realized her mom was not with her and cried a little. I got the sick feeling that my night was going to be terrible, but sweet Ruth didn't trouble us for long.
Early morning we were the first to disembark from the train. We scurried out with our luggage, the others were all peacefully asleep. We had a good night's sleep and a good conversation and as mom and I walked away from the train we saw Ruth's dad stand near the door  and wave us goodbye.
All of us shared so many details but none of us felt the need to know each others' names....this is what is a journey friend...one journey in our lives spent amidst strangers.

 - Sangeeta Vallat

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 1, 2018 at 10:03 AM

    Awesome start!!

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  2. UnknownMay 1, 2018 at 9:16 PM

    V good write up, keep writing more. All the best
    - Raja

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  3. UnknownMay 1, 2018 at 11:56 PM

    Nice, Sangu. Most train journeys are blog-worthy, only if we choose to keep our eyes open (metaphorically speaking, that is)

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  4. UnknownMay 2, 2018 at 12:08 AM

    Good one Sangeeta.. Take care..

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  5. sundar ramMay 2, 2018 at 12:19 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMay 2, 2018 at 1:21 AM

    Very well written Sangeeta..looking forward for more...

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownMay 2, 2018 at 2:39 AM

    Good one sangeeta..keep going...

    ReplyDelete
  8. sundar ramMay 2, 2018 at 3:26 AM

    Welcome to the world of blogging,good one,make more longer journeys for more blogging,good luck.

    ReplyDelete
  9. placesinpicturesMay 2, 2018 at 4:59 AM

    Thank you everyone for the very nice comments and encouragement.......look out for more stories!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownMay 2, 2018 at 9:56 AM

    Love them train journeys. Sanguchech sounds like a beginning of a new journey ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sorna priyaMay 3, 2018 at 10:02 AM

    Wow very good start ..
    Keep rocking
    Waiting for more kahani 👍☺

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownMay 30, 2018 at 11:19 PM

    I could read today only. Too good

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anuradha SayeenathanJune 18, 2018 at 4:07 AM

    Felt like I was travelling with you. Good one.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sangeetha.July 3, 2018 at 9:13 PM

    Thank you everyone ....hope to keep writing more !

    ReplyDelete
  15. UmaAugust 7, 2018 at 10:18 PM

    Rail snegitham that is what is expected. We need to consider the people we meet for that moment as friends. Sometimes we are lucky that new found friends become BFF but other times just enjoy the company. Good one Sangeetha. Hope you had a wonderful time in your hometown with mom

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  16. UnknownAugust 7, 2018 at 10:56 PM

    Lovely experience of urs in a lucid language

    ReplyDelete
  17. Shruthi S MenonAugust 20, 2018 at 2:52 AM

    This was a lovely read...Can't wait to get to the rest...

    ReplyDelete

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