The Time Train

Chapter 3

 Sanchi and Aakash had barely caught the train, getting inside just seconds before the it started. The haste of catching the train hadn't given them much time to take in their surroundings, but now that they were in the train, they began to notice something strange.

Nothing too wild, just the way some people were dressed. Sanchi wasn't caught up with the  current fashion trends but she could've sworn she had never seen a woman wear such tight pants, or men dressed so casually. Now that she thought about it she had never seen women wear pants at all! Not in India for sure! Maybe the big cities were catching on the western trends. Her exhaustion didn't allow her to dwell on it much and she brushed it off as being odd.

As was promised, the signs had all been there, leading them to various platforms with roman numerals; finding their own platform was not that difficult. However, Sanchi had been to the train station many times before but had never seen this part of it. That was rather strange indeed since she had been a frequent traveler ever since she was a kid. Maybe this was after all a whole new part of the railway station, a new wing. Surprisingly even her father had failed to notice this, a man who was so keen on always being in the know with any and all new developments within the city. Yes, that was unusual, oh well, she will have to inform him once she's back, it'll surely fascinate him.

While Sanchi was busy pondering over the glimpses of her new and peculiar surroundings, Aakash was busy planning his upcoming presentation. The presentation was to convince his father and the company to invest in a new technology from Japan that could revolutionize their whole manufacturing process. With India having opened its markets to the world in the last year, the exchange of goods and services had become much easier. This was the perfect time to make use of this opportunity.

Since he was a young boy Aakash had always loved cars, observing his father repair cars and later helping him with the same was the best part Aakash's summer. Over the last 10 years his father had evolved their business from repair and maintenance to manufacturing. Aakash had studied engineering at University to ensure he could keep up with the business and take it forward.

The arrival of the ticket conductor broke his reverie.

Conductor: "Sir, mam, may I please check your tickets?"

As Sanchi proceeds to remove her wrist band:

Conductor: "That's quite alright mam, you don't need to remove it, please keep it on and don't forget you only get access to transport if that is on your hand, see we all have to wear it."

He shows his band which has several colors on it with beautiful patterns, but no numbers. On seeing the couple, a little perplexed the conductor says:

"Aah I see, first time travelers on this route I suppose?"

Both: "Yes"

Conductor: "Oh no worries Sir and Madam, your stop will be here in about 70 mins once we are through the tunnels."

Aakash: "Thank you Sir, could you please also tell us what our destination exactly is? Unfortunately, it's a surprise trip for us and this ticket does not say much."

Conductor: "Yes of course Sir, you are going to Mumbai 2018, and I wish you and your companion a pleasant journey, bye."

And with that the conductor had hurried away, leaving the couple baffled.

Aakash: "What did he mean by Mumbai 2018?"

Sanchi: "And what is that about reaching there in 70 mins, that's like an hour and it normally takes 5. This is sure some new route and some new train!"

Aakash: "Indeed it is! You seem to know a bit about travelling and long journeys now, have you traveled much?"

Sanchi: "I have actually! My father being a trader travels a lot for his business and occasionally takes us along to accompany him."

Aakash: "Do you like travelling?"

On this Sanchi's eyes lit up,

Sanchi: "Yes I do very much! Going to new places, talking to new people, eating different cuisines, experiencing different cultures, it's the best!

Aakash: "Wow that seems like a lot of fun, so tell me which is your favorite place and food........."

And like that, they talked through the whole journey, about travelling, their education and other hobbies. The journey had given them both a chance to relax and get to know each other a little. 

Their conversation was cut short by an announcement:

"Passengers getting off at Mumbai 2018 please collect your belongings, the next stop is yours. Thanks for travelling with AMA, have a pleasant trip and a safe journey ahead."

Walking to the door towards the exit, Aakash caught a glance of the compartment next to them. What he saw baffled him. The next compartment was completely different in its interiors and he could swear he saw tiny color televisions stuck behind a chair. This could possibly not be true, televisions that tiny, that too in color! He was clearly hallucinating, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. He really needed to sleep.