Take One:
Its 6.45am. My alarm rings and I lay motionless trying hard
to decipher what all this noise is about. Its un-necessarily bright, the sky.
And I suddenly remember I have an interview to go to, a difference to make in
my life. I make a decision to travel by the local train today, though I always
use the road. It’s a quick logical and well measured choice. And I was there
sitting in a second class compartment of a smelly, crowded Andheri Local on a
Bright Sunday morning. That is where i met the stranger.
He caught my eye when he was selling a bunch of earrings to
a lady, further away from my seat. While he stood next to her, eager to make a
sale, He Yawned. He rubbed his eyes and and looked away. And that's when he
looked at me. I shifted my gaze, but not quickly enough. He gestured if i
wanted to pick one earring from his tray. And i said okay.
Take two:
He hands me the tray.
Me: Ek ka Kitna?
Him: 10 rupees only!
Me: (While my head is still buried into his tray) Do you go
to School?
Him: yes.
Me: kahaan hai school?
Him: Andhra Pradesh main.
Me: ( smile) very good. Kaunsa class main hai tu?
Him: 3rd Std.
Im stunned. Mentally I am trying to quickly think of what’s
the age of a 3rd Standard kid? I don’t know 5, 6? Boys his age must
be tucked up safely in their warm beds and wake up to a hot fresh breakfast and
run out to play. What time did he actually wake up today morning? Does he have
a comfortable place to stay. He interrupted my thoughts.
He: Yeh earring lo, accha hai.
Me: Nai. I don’t like it.
A lady sitting besides me vacates the seat. I gesture him to
come sit next to me. He doesn’t hesitate. I buy 2 earrings, not that i like
them.
Take Three
He: Where are you going?
Me: I’m going for an interview.
He: what is that?
Me: If u want a job, you need to meet people from the place
and show them that you can work for them.
He: what will u work in?
Me: Teaching.
(Meanwhile women around me in the train are intently
listening to the conversation)
He: How many children you have?
(The crowd around bursts laughing-They can’t control their
urge to snigger at the innocent question of a kid)
He: No, No..i meant class main kitney bacchey hain.
His need to correct himself on what he meant, almost felt
like he wasn’t happy about making me feel embarrassed. I was a little embarrassed(
given that im a little touchy about getting older by the years).
The bond was established now. As he sat staring outside the
window, but still sitting closer to me on the bench, I was wondering what the
silence between us meant.
We sat there for a long time. With just Silence between us.
He: Do they have a telugu school in mumbai?
Me: i don’t know, i don’t think so. You get good marks in
school na?
He: mereko A+ mila in mathematics( he pronounced the entire
word) and English main. ( with a sheepish smile) and my friend got B+ J
He walked away and came back with an English Alphabet book.
While i looked at his entire family (1 sister, mother, 2 brothers) on the
boarding area of the train. He showed off how well he new alphabets and words.
The train Pulled into Santacruz station.
He left and stood
at the door to get off.
I looked at him and waved. He waved back.
On the station as the train moved on, the tracks changed. And
so did we.
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