Journey

"Passengers attention please, train number- 12841, Howrah- Chennai Coromandel Express, is arriving on platform number 22."

Too tired of the corporate world, tired of burden, tired of relationship, thinking about present, regretting about past, worrying about future, Nia, a 32 year old married lady, was immediately brought back to the reality with the announcement and started dragging her suitcase towards the end of the platform. With a loud whistle, the train entered the platform and within seconds, there was hustle and bustle everywhere. People started banging the doors, some screaming because they can't find there partners, some already started bothering the ticket checker for seats and change of coach and so on and so forth. The door of her coach opened and she went inside. Searched for her berth, kept the luggage beneath her seat and sat down finally leaving a deep sigh. Suddenly she remembered she hadn't informed Savir about this out of the blue trip. She texted, "Going to Pondicherry via Chennai. On a break for ten days." This was the break she had been longing for so long. With the commotion in her mind and silence in her life, she was getting more and more depressed by each passing day. Getting engrossed in the office work didn't help much. She wondered why couldn't she do this before.

"Excuse me! That's probably my side of berth!" Again an intrusion by a voice. A middle aged good looking man was staring at her. " Oh! I am so sorry." Nia exclaimed. "No, don't be, I guess that's foolish of me, It's a two tier coach and never makes a difference. I can sit here." He replied gently and smiled. That carefree innocent smile irritated her. She shifted towards the window uncomfortably and concentrated outside.

The wheels gradually started churning and accelerated. Nia pondered upon the things in the surrounding outside which vanished slowly and trees passing away just like rewinding in some flashback. A phone ring broke the silence. It was Savir. Even before Nia could have started there was burst of emotions from the other side, "How dare you go away without taking my permission? Didn't even have time to inform? What exactly are you thinking? And top it all, what do you mean by a Break?" His fury and screams were that loud she wondered if her co passenger could hear his words. Nia took a deep breathe and ended the conversation in one sentence, "Yes on a break. Will return after ten days. And you are not here in India, anyways, so I can actually decide for my own self." And she disconnected. After 10 seconds, she switched it off. She wished if she could vanish into thin air. Eyes started getting cloudy.

"Are you okay?" The co passenger asked. She nodded in a yes. And he smiled again which she thought was sarcastic again to her soul.

After an hour or so, at Kharagpur station, the ticket checker came. He called out the names, "Nia Sharma and Mr. Abhay Mishra." They finally got to know each other. Abhay smiled when the ticket checker called out her name, seeing which Nia now decided she would punch on his face if he smiled for one more time. How can someone smile all the time without any reason. They showed their identity cards and he went away.

Hours went by like this. Nia wondering on her relationship and dominating husband and Abhay watching some series over his phone. Suddenly, there was pattering noise over the roof and downpour started. Abhay looked out of the window and started, as if talking to himself, "I wish I knew the sky seems sad or clouds are happy whenever it rains." Then he stared at Nia and asked her, "Do you like rains?" Nia was so lost in her melancholies that the interruption seemed to annoy her and she replied rudely, "What's there to like in rains. They are spoiler for everything." Abhay was taken aback and she realised her mistake. She was perhaps exasperated more on herself. May be because rains always hold special place in any romantic relationship. Savir loved getting drenched in rains.

She replied sofly, "I am really very sorry. Something awful crossed my mind. No, rains are sad not because of clouds or sky but because they unnecessarily brings back memories which you cannot live anymore." Abhay smiled again, hearing this. But this time, she was relieved to see that happy expression back. "Okay, so rains are sad, but why are you so sad? Nobody gets sad on a happy break trip. Especially if it's a Ross- Rachel on a break kind of thing?" Nia laughed at this. She didn't remember when was the last time she had an informal laughter. "I don't know. I am escaping more from myself perhaps." "You should talk. A wheel can get puncture any time but that doesn't mean it can't be repaired." He replied. There was a strange motivation in his voice, For the first time, she looked at his face and wondered on herself how much willing she was to unclog her mind and notions she had been hiding in her voids. "You can share if you want. I am all ears." Abhay said as if reading her mind.

"I am a project manager in a private company. Savir was my team leader. I had always admired and adored him. His efficiency, presentation, personified looks, communication skills, attitude everything. I imitated him. I pondered over myself if I can ever reach wherever he is. He used to yell at my mistakes always, scolding on round tables but I really never minded them and worked even harder. This might have impressed him for gradually we became a little more than colleagues and later more than just friends. We got married. I used to believe that love should be there, even if it's one sided, unconditional love shall be enough to keep two person together, but I was certainly wrong. It does matter. The boss remained my boss even in my home. Spotting differences in every small insignificant indifference, my weaknesses seems to be belittling my dignity in front of him. We ended up in arguments and then he gave me punishment." "Punishment?" Abhay asked shockingly. "Yes punishment." Nia continued,"Punishment of not talking or replying or saying or asking for days. I promised every time after every fight to my self respect that I shall take a stand for myself. But I miserably failed. I don't know why, on those days, instead I returned early from work. He would come, say something sweetly and it all became normal. This is still going on. And I am tired of this,"

"To return is a good and worst nature of human. We return because we are addicted. All we need is a detoxification. And finally we would realise that it was still okay, if we stayed where we are or where we want to be. Take your time." Abhay answered like some scholar. He was too surprised on the fact that he can deliver such wise advice. It was almost midnight. And both retired to sleep.

Next morning, Abhay woke up Nia, "Would you like some coffee?" Nia half opened her eyes and then suddenly sat straight. She forgot she was in a train for more than 20 hours. "Yes, I would love to!" Abhay brought two cups and gave one to Nia. "Where are we?" Nia asked while taking a sip. "Almost near to Chennai Egmoore" said Abhay. "You know now everything about me but haven't mentioned anything about yourself?" Nia remarked. Abhay smiled and continued, "I don't have an interesting twist and turn like your story. A bachelor software engineer staying all by myself. Only had granny in my family who passed away last year. So now, all the way independent." Nia couldn't decide if he was lucky or deprived. The train was about to enter the Destination. Before leaving she said, "Thanks Abhay, for everything. Never thought I would take my cat out of the bag to an absolute stranger." This time, it was Abhay who was a little upset. "Are you going back?" He asked. "I feel like done with this marriage and everything else." Nia said in a depressed tone. "The game of universe is so bizarre and unfair. You are finally ready to unlove what you love the most. And I spent the whole night thinking if I could have a partner like you who could love me till eternity." Both got silent, lost in thoughts. After a minute or so, they bid farewell and departed.

Back in the bus to Pondicherry, Nia finally switched on her cell phone only to find 50 missed calls from Savir. She reverted. The call was picked up after single ring for the first time. "Have you reached? Tell me where you are staying I shall come too, I am returning to India tomorrow." Nia took a deep breathe and then replied coldly, "It's a break, you are forgetting that. And I don't want you to return to me. May be never." An awkward silence again on both the sides. "Nia, you know something" Savir continued, "I was reluctant for this break only because I knew that you won't come back. I shall accept this. This is all my fault. You take care. And I shall still have your back." With string of tears hanging on her eyelids, Nia replied, "Me too. And thank you."

And thus a new journey started......