The train halted at an unauthorized halt before Dheemapur railway station and he wondered what could have gone wrong. He peeped out of the window. He knew that he would be safe once the train leaves Dheemapur and enters the jungle. He was absolutely sure that his plan was fool proof and decided to check at Dheemapur station for any sign of trouble.
He looked at the outskirts of Dheemapur and his thoughts carried him to Amar, his house, Lajjo, little Leela (she always had reminded him of his own sweet little daughter) and finally his thoughts stopped at Leela.
She was the only girl he was in love with after the gruesome death of his wife. She was the only girl he had felt romantic affection. He smiled at every moment he remembered – right from the moment he had asked her to enter the train compartment.
He grew alert again as the train moved and started approaching Dheemapur railway station. He had this odd desire to see Leela – Just one more time, before moving on to his next target destination. He desperately hoped that her train would have been delayed and she would be sitting there – waiting to board her train.
He pushed open the doors and stood on the footboard of his compartment in a mad hope to get a glimpse of Leela.
The platform was unusually empty. There was no usual buzz of any activity around. The ticket checker came running toward him – his expressions full of horror.
“Sir…” he called out frantically, “please shut the doors and shut all the ventilating shutters.”
“Why?”
“It seems that there is lot of trouble around Dheemapur. The riots have broken out between the farmers and Rajasaab’s men. The local farmers are hunting down everyone associated with Rajasaab and killing them in their frenzy. Your travel is booked by Rajasaab which means either you work for him or are very close to him. Your life could be in danger.”
“Oh! That’s really strange. I found Dheemapur to be a peaceful town.”
“Please do listen to me. I heard about a few minutes ago that even Rajasaab’s farmhouse has been attacked.”
“Oh! I hope he is safe and sound.”
“Do not worry about him. He has multiple security arrangement. It will take an army to attack is farmhouse. He should be absolutely safe. The entry to this railway station also has been blocked. That’s the reason you are unable to see anyone around this normally busy station. Only those who are not associated with Rajasaab and those with properly booked travel tickets are being allowed inside the railway station by the rioters.”
“I do hope that Rajasaab stays safe. When did these incidences of rioting start here?”
“I don’t know the exact time but they started somewhere in the afternoon. Please take care of not been seen by anyone. Shut the doors and stay safe.” he ran over to the next bogie to warn other people who were travelling.
Sajjan smiled at the fact that nobody had seen him jump off the train at Bhama and get in again at Rajapuri. His plan had been perfectly executed. He looked around at the empty platform and shut the door to his compartment and bolted it. He sat on the berth inside and watched the empty platform through the window, his thought again hovering around Leela.
The trouble had started around afternoon – around the time when she was supposed to board her train. He hoped that she had safely made it to the station and boarded her train. By now she must have reached her destination. He sat brooding over her – he had started to miss her presence around him. He realized that over the period of ninety days – she had stolen his heart. He had this odd desire to get off Jalasagar, visit her at her college campus – to ask her if she still wanted to be with him for the lifetime. He touched his chest in order to control the beating of his heart.
‘No more thoughts of Leela.’ his Mind told his Heart, ‘Remember her like a sweet dream that got over when you woke up. Your Mission is Supreme. Lives of millions of people depend on the success of your Mission…’
He sadly shook his head and started to lower down the ventilating shutters – shutting off the view of the empty platform which reminded him of Leela even as the train started to pull off the Dheemapur railway station. He started pulling down the ventilating shutters on the other side. He was about to pull at the ventilating shutter of the last window near the door when he saw a female figure dressed in adivasi sari out of the closed door, dangerously hanging on with a gathari in her other hand.
“No. Not again. I don’t want to meet another Leela. I don’t have the guts to forget my Leela.” he thought and opened the door to the female who was hanging out dangerously, “Come on in – it’s dangerous to hang out like this.”
She entered the compartment even as he switched on the lights of the compartment. He looked at her as she placed the gathari of her belongings on the floor of the compartment.
“Leela!” he called out, extremely happy to see her there.
“I thought a lot about you after you left for Bhama.” she said, “I realized – I cannot live without you. All the adivasi folks together, can take care of the girls there but – I know, there will be nobody to take care of you. I couldn’t bear the idea of you cooking your own meals, washing your own clothes and completing your good work all alone. You definitely need a Good Wife to be with you. I’m not going to let you go alone.” she lowered the last remaining ventilating shutter and bolted the door.
“What are you doing?” he asked her.
“Mr. Sajjan.” her voice had a mock anger, “I don’t want you to meet any other Leela.” she looked directly at him… “Always remember, I’m the only Leela in your life – and never forget – I’m your only wife.”
She smiled as she put her arms around him and kissed him long and sweet – even as the train rumbled out in the dark – taking them away from now a chaotic Dheemapur.
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- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/
- Prasad Deshpandehttps://storiesandme.com/author/prasad/