“Bhaayaain, kanl raant mein tunsi aunr unski saans mein bahut tooon tooon maain maain huin.” Shouted a familiar shrill voice. The whole compartment burst into laughter.
The 7.44 am local was special. Not because, it got me to office on time. But, because of one special guy who kept us travelers entertained.
His enthusiasm was special. He was probably amongst the few privileged Mumbaikars, who could reach home on time to watch Kyunkii Saas Bhi Bahu Thi, live with his wife. And he would narrate the story next day, as the packed Mumbai Local left Mira Road.
The almost one hour journey to Churchgate would be packed with his nasal voice narrating the story of the serial’s episode night before. And of course, funny comments from other passengers and his out of box remarks.
“Toh Bhaayaain,” he screamed one day, “Tunsi ki ladkin keen shaadeen kaan sceene thaan. Loung keeyan keeyan drenss pahen kar ayenle then.”
Another passenger screamed – “Tu bhi tha kya”
He responded, “Haan, kachcha baniyaan mein” and the whole compartment burst into a laughter. Nothing could be so entertaining while riding a Mumbai local. That too, in peak hours!
First couple of months, I would reach out my hand to someone or other and say, “thanks – because of you, the one hour ordeal is so enjoyable.” And the response would be in a normal voice, “You got the wrong guy buddy, it wasn’t me.” In that crowd in the train, no body got to know who this guy was.
That day, as I reached the platform, I realized it was already 7.45 am, and I could see the tail of the 7.44 local leaving the platform. Stomping my foot, I cursed myself – if only I had ran a bit than brisk walking.
The next train was in another 7 minutes, and like all Mumbaikars, I was sure of the time. But then, it was a slow local, and will be more crowded than my 7.44 one. It carried the crowd that wanted to get down at ‘in-between’ stations and would reach 19 minutes late when compared to the fast local that I missed. Which means, overall delay of 26 minutes – a full half an hour.
I decided to take a chance. I had an hour while traveling to think of some excuse for being late to office. And then cursed myself. Wish I had not taken that extra peg yesterday. I would have been home early and got up early as well. And no problem being on time at station and then at office which started at 9 am sharp.
I waited at the platform, watching the indicator and the clock. What a time pass it is, watching the seconds and minutes hand tickle by.
The slow local came, and was over crowded. Not unexpected, even for a first class compartment. I jumped in – as I was used to it. Got hold of a rod on the window nearest to the door to hang myself while another searched for a grip.
It was raining that day. And I saw my neighbour jump into the train, in the second class compartment next to me.
Even as he struggled to keep himself hanging, I heard screams of a fight in the next compartment and while the Local Train crossed a small bridge four minutes away, three men were seen falling out. I told myself, good chance to get into the compartment and excuse for being late, since, people will jump out to rescue the three and the train will be stranded for a while.
When I returned in the evening, my wife informed – “Our society has organised a mourning for our neighbour. You remember you used to tell me about this guy who entertain every morning in a nasal voice? Its him! Unfortunately, he was late today morning and got pushed out of train when some brawl happened.” Cuddling she said, "am glad, you were late, but are alive"
No comments:
Post a Comment