LOST IN A BLUR

It was getting late as I waited for my cab to arrive. City is a hard place for the cab drivers and its even worse when festive season starts. I had plans to spend Christmas with friends in city but then there was some special programs at home and Mom was so adamant that I must come. There I was, carrying a light bag but with a heavy heart. I was hoping that I will miss my train. Alas! It wasn't to be.

The Cab driver was a good man, a rare breed in this area. His smile was a testament to that. City drivers know the road quite well and he took me to the station in no time. He wished me as I payed him and he was off.

Railway station has never looked this shit to me. My train was half an hour behind, nothing to be surprised in this part of the world. I kept my bag, took my phone and called Mom. She jokingly said "You might not be bringing us anything right?" Even though I was pissed off with her I managed a smile. She said she was really happy that I was coming. I said I would board the train soon.

I loved train journey's as a kid, there was something special about this noisy dirty ride. Trains,books and rain I loved that chemistry, something that always took me to a peaceful place.

Railway stations aren't the prettiest of places but you may often find a pretty face around somewhere. And there was one right in front of me, in the opposite compartment holding a big bag. As our eyes met there was some rush in my blood. It felt like that this plan of going home wasn't afterall a bad idea. I chuckled as I thought. And then reality came in front of me and took her with it. Of all the trains that came, she had to get on that! Oh it went from magicial to abysmal in an instance. Life shows you many faces but the faces that come and go in a blurr often clings onto the heart. They bring with it a wind of bliss that cant be felt nowhere else.

Train arrived after 10 minutes than announced. I settled myself near the window as the train slowly drifted away from the station and my festive plans. I took out my phone and texted my friends. Slowly replies came in, with sad smilies and swear words. Argh! I switched off my 3G and tried concentrating on the book. I had taken a Nicholas Sparks book. Damn! Not the time to read a love story! I kept the book back and looked outside the window. It was like a whole different country, hardly 5kms from the Electronic city and I was in some slum with hardly any electricity. Uff! Romance is better than reality, Its better to be with the book.

I was alone in the block, there were  some bags in front of me. It had an Army sign on it. Maybe a Jawan going home I thought to myself. And I was not wrong, a strongly built man, darkened by the northern sun. He sat in front of me, and looked my way. I raised my eyes from the book and looked his way. A pleasant smile from a rather tough looking man welcomed me. I removed my earphones as I leaned forward and greeted him. He was the first to speak. "Going home for Christmas vacations?" I nodded uninterestingly. "Seems like you are leaving some big party behind in city" He added. I smiled sheepishly. I finally spoke "Sir you might be going home after a long time?" "425 days" He said. I didn't know what to say as I sat back. "Its tough being a soldier but it was even tougher last 300 odd days, I lost many friends" I interfered as he was talking. "There was no war last year then how it all happened" Then he told me stories of bone crunching blizzards and snowstorms, terrifying than the tales I have heard about Yetis as a kid. He said more people die there because of the cold than the predators that we fear stays across the border.

A good man, who served the nation for quite long, a life marred by pain, frost and separation. Now he is going home, where he can start his life again. I have heard army people are never short of words but this guy was a whole new level. Happiness can be contagious and I was slowly being infected by it. And I was slowly being able to make peace with my adamant mom.

It was only when the fellow travellers switched off the lights that we knew it was quite late into the night. I had to get up early, my journey is just 9 hours long. I made myself comfortable on the lower berth pondering on all he spoke about life.
I often took many things for granted especially when it came to family and relations. I guess everything happens for a reason, a reason which doesn't change life all of a sudden but does quite enough to make you a touch perfect. I dozed off with a smile on my face.

I woke up to the screeching sound of the train. I looked around, the train was late by 2 hours but I was only a station behind destination. I wanted to talk to him before I get down. I saw a small box on top of my bag with a small note on it. "Merry Christmas" and his mobile no. Slowly I was reaching the station, I gathered myself and went to the door.

Some people walk into your life even when you didn't chose the road at all. And your life is all the more blessed. I wasn't sad that I couldn't speak to him before I left, I knew that we would have more conversations again, not today but not far away.

There were some technical errors in the railway department as the trains were running behind schedule. Two three trains had reached the station at the same time and the platform was market-like. I eluded the commotion with an efficiency of a skilled driver as I reached the exit. I looked around for a taxi but found something else. Even though she took the different train I'm glad that she reached the right station. I looked above and sighed.