Sunday 24 July 2016

The ordinary train journey

Working 12 hours a day in the laboratory for the past 7 days to finish off some pending work of Zircon processing I head home for a day before again field work follows. I sit in Black Diamond Ex.in the middle seat sandwiched between two fellow passengers. Utterly bored listening to my playlist repeatedly I turn to writing to pass the time.
When I was young I would listen to the radio, when it played my favourite tune I would smile. It seems so far ago now. Those times were simpler and while listening to the songs now I feel happy turning back the clock would be so great. But alas stuck in this train I can't go back nor forth.
Reaching my destination would take another hour and till then I would try to paint the picture of my journey in this ordinary train of the extraordinary railways of this country.
The woman sitting next to me seems to be of a dominating stature. One who loves to rule the roost and everything ready at her beck and call. She is dressed in a conservative fashion in saree  and the hair done in a bun adding to her domineering personality. She seems organised and confident but is arrogant in the way she talks and glances at the fellow passengers. The man next to me is dozing off on my shoulder while I try to nudge and keep him awake. Opposite to me the seats are occupied by a newly wed couple. Mostly keeping to themselves and talking infrequently. Next to the couple is an elderly man well into his sixties with grey hair and rectangular spectacles in formal attire. The old man is with his colleagues probably from work who embarked the train at the same station and are about to get off the train. Ahhh! My destination still an hour to go.
The lady in white saree chews on 'jhal muri' and keeps typing on her iphone while the others gaze on aimlessly, bored I guess.
The couple gets ready to get off as the pretty wife signals her quiet husband to get the luggage from the luggage stand.  What a relief with their departure I occupy the window seat. After having a hearty cup of tea and a couple of samosa I feel refreshed.
Time passes so quickly. We rarely give value to the present moment we are in. Opening our senses to the surroundings and concentrating on the present might bring the best out of us and more importantly keep us much more happier than usual. Life is like a un unplanned train journey. We should watch out and be on the look out. You might never know when your station might come! Live the present as now is the best time.
Adios! I have reached and would be catching a cab.