108706 km divided by 2 multiplied by 2

They sleep.

Yeah that’s what they did. Looked at the heavens and thanked. Every time, I tell myself that I have to buy an air pillow but never did. Another horrible less-sleep night.

Next thing…

I cleaned the white stuff that accumulates at the eye corners and looked at my watch it said 9:45 AM. I bent my neck down for a peak through the window to check on the station. There were a whole bunch of different species in my compartment. For a moment thought I was brought to some other train. Old couple is gone. Felt sorry for not doing “sashtanga dandam”. Got down and found one sandal of the pair in my compartment and the other in the next. Dressed them and walked towards the rest room with oral-B in my left hand. Made myself feel a-bit-lighter & washed my face came out of that stinking place. Can’t blame those who used it before me but me. After loosing 1 rupee to a coffee-boy; he asks for chutta -- I say I don’t have – even if I have 50 paisa less he won’t take it but he would not mind me loosing a rupee; felt refreshing. No news paper, no Tiffin - after 10:30 AM pantry people start preparing lunch and no problem I always take backup.

Washed my hands & came back to my seat to see that I do not have place to sit. Why? People get into reserved coaches buying general tickets or with no tickets if they have to get down at the nearby station. They behave real strange. No need to buy a news paper I thought as I am getting everything that happened recently that too visually – with their expressions & tone of the language. All sorts of discussions. Kids can give wholesome entertainment until you become their prey. Some times their play can be informative too.

This is the phase of my journey I hate the most. Its just 45 min or 1 hr to my destination. They stop the train at every signal making it reach with 1 or 2 hrs delay. There is one funny thing too to it. If at all it reaches a bit early to any of the stations they halt it for some time to make up for the expected arrival.

Last but not the least – after eye-chatting with fellow compartmentalists for more than the span of a karan johar’s movie – its eye-farewell


P.S. Tribute to Indian railways for keeping me & my hopes alive