The visibility was poor as the heavy rain lashed the windscreen of the cab. They stopped for a moment even as he shifted to the front seat next to the driver to guide him, the road. Two people were better equipped to watch the road better.
They had to take a longer route. Many roads were facing a water logging problem making it impossible to pass through them.
They were passing through a narrow uphill lane on the edge of a short cliff by the raging sea when he saw a female figure loom up ahead. She was struggling with a trolley suitcase and a huge handbag – trying to pull it up the slope.
He waived to the driver to pull up beside her, pulled down the window and looked outside…
“Hey – you need any help?”
“Yes. I do. I am trying to get to the railway station for the night train. I am unable to get any transportation here. If you could, please, help me reach any place where I can get a transport.”
“I am on my way to the railway station. You can ride this cab. We will drop you off.”
With some difficulty, she managed to push her bags onto the back seat and thankfully took a seat beside them. They had a silent ride till they reached the railway station.
The cab was already paid for and he jumped out in haste and got his baggage from the boot and helped the lady with her baggage.
“Thank you.” She said smiling and then looked at him in astonishment. He had the same look on him. She was the girl who drove those expensive cars.
“You?” They both uttered at the same time. After an awkward pause, he told her that he was returning to his town as his business was situated there. He casually asked her as to where she was intending to travel – his heart hoping that she would travel in the same direction. This way, he would be able to spend some time in her – a girl who had brought these emotions of longing into him. She sneezed as an answer to his question. He realized that she was completely drenched in the heavy rain and needed to dry up.
“The railway rest room is over there.” He gently suggested her, “Let’s go there – you can dry yourself and put on some warm clothes – else you may fall sick.”
She nodded a meek approval at his suggestion and they made their way toward the restroom. He patiently awaited her return, keeping a careful watch over her trolley bag. She emerged out of the restroom wearing a traditional Punjabi suit with her dupatta wound around her head & partially covering her face to keep herself warm.
“My train will be leaving in about 30 minutes – I guess – I will have to buy any ticket that is left out – what about you?”
To his dismay she burst into tears and started to weep. He didn’t know what to say or how to react. He kept looking at her in dismay. In a moment or so she controlled her emotions.
“I’m leaving this town. I haven’t planned anything yet. I don’t know what I will be doing or where I should go…”
“Does your family know that you are leaving?” he asked a bit concerned.
“I don’t have a family. I am alone in this world.”
“Oh! Sorry I asked.”
“I understand. Please don’t feel sorry about it – it’s not your fault. If you don’t mind, is it okay if I travel with you to your town? Maybe, by that time I may get enough time to decide what I want to do.”
His heart jumped within – this was something he had wished and his wish seemed to be coming true.
“Of course – you can…” he said in a delighted tone, “Let’s go and buy our tickets.”
They quickly made their way to the ticket counter for the last minute booking. The train was a special train and only those who had valid tickets were allowed to board it.
The train was heavily booked and they were fortunate enough to get the last two tickets left – they were for a first class coupe – very expensive.
“Vicky Kundan” he affirmed his name to the booking person at the counter and looked at her realizing that he didn’t even know her name.
“Rekha, Rekha Meerut” she informed him smiling at his generosity and her blessed luck.
They made their way to the coupe they had booked and boarded the train minutes before the train rumbled out of the station into the pouring darkness.
He stood in the corridor even as she shut the door of the coupe to change into softer, comfortable and warmer clothes.