The Train Meet

Chapter 1

Nine to five jobs have always been a topic of disgust to me since my childhood. Seeing dada, dadu etc. to be one of those trapped persons encouraged me to change the path. But everything went in vain. A tiny mistake in the school years changed it all. Anyways past is past - thinking this I too, to maintain our ancestral trend, joined a job.

Life was going pretty well. So well that I began to doubt my existence. The train at 8 a.m. is my companion. Like if I get late, it'll be late and if I'm on time, it'll still be late, though I've never come at the eleventh hour.

That day was also a normal day, Friday. And as usual I was late. But it wouldn't be a problem if the street remained clear. A huge truck blocked the road creating the shit traffic. I somehow managed to reach the station. But it wasn't the compartment I used to get into; it was another one. My brain got blank for a moment. I entered the channel. The train was jarking more than usual.

I was still blank. At that moment, I encountered a lady. She was sitting right in front of me. Her face became a peach, literally. We kept staring at each other for a few minutes and then she took her eyes off. It was such an impactful encounter that I realised that I'm in the train and a seat was empty. I sat there. Then preparing my earphones for my train playlist and guess what... She was there, just beside me, again looking at me.

I knew I wasn't that handsome to be somebody's crush. Thus the thought made me blush hard. Then I saw her shrinking towards the edge. "She is uncomfortable", someone whispered in my ear "keep a distance". I did accordingly; anyway plugged in the chords and played a song. To catch the vibe I was closing my eyes halfway and suddenly I discovered her gazing at my phone.

I leered at her again. She looked at me once then looked outside the window. I closed my eyes and leaned backwards but could strongly feel someone's eyes on me.

After half and a quarter hour later we reached our destined station. Everyone hurried to get off. At that time she went out of my mind but as I walked towards the bus stand, I again discovered her beside me, walking and perhaps gazing at me.

My boss's tomato red angry face popped up my head and I tried to hurry through the busy crowd. A breezy sound cut through my ears as I showed up the detour. I turned back once and then snap. I felt like something got missing. I don't know what it is but it feels kinda painful.

I bid her farewell in my mind and went forward.