Thursday, April 29, 2010

The Big Bang(alore) (mis)adventure-Final part: A friend in need

[The last part. If you dont understand see Part 1 and Part 2. This one's 3rd and the last]

As soon as we came to know that the fine for WT in AC is more than we expect, we decide to alight and board a general coach. We somehow fit ourselves in the crowded compartment. Some people let us sit too when they heard of our couldn't-catch-the-train story. Here we were, in general compartment contemplating on what could have been a peaceful Rajdhani ride back home converted to Utpal Dutt chasing Amol Palekar (Golmaal if you haven't figured out yet) kinda don't-take-a-breath chronicle. We had a look at our fellow journeymen. There were these two 30 something lads who worked in a Mall and going home for some wedding. There was this calm composed 30 something (probably 35) married lady hung neatly onto the window seat. And there were two more nonchalant fellows who went about their business(travel) without a fuss.

After a while, the situation dawned upon us. We looked at each other, eyes shouting-oh man! we could have been travelling in Rajdhani! It still wasn't sinking in. We had decided, we'll pay the fine if need be; else we'll reach Hyderabad in the morning and will buy tickets. But the train won't stop there for long. Manjari, earlier our lab-mate(now at hyd), had come to that Bangalore conference and wished we'll meet while passing Hyderabad. Your wish is granted lady, whether you really wished it or not. Dhir called her. "We have left for Delhi. Will reach Hyderabad by morning". "NO! I am not coming, Secunderabad is too far from here". "You have no choice. We aren't asking. We are telling you to come", said he as he narrated our mis-adventure. It was late night. We hadn't eaten much and were tired and sleepy. How could you sleep in a general compartment where you could barely sit. The night seemed like an eternity. In the morning, we called her yet again to confirm she's woken up and coming. "Kitne kameene dost hain, savere jaga ke poochhte hain, tu aa rahi hai ya nahin? Aa rahi hoon baba, aa rahi hoon!", she shouted on the phone," I am ready, just leaving for the station!". These words seemed so refreshing after the morbid night.

And yes, she was there on time-ready with two tickets, laughing uncontrollably at our condition. We could laugh too now. Happy that she came knowing how clumsy she can be. We are still thankful. "Raat kaise kaati?", she asked. "Bade maze mein. I had your book to read", I replied, showing the cover of 'Phantoms in the brain' which i had borrowed from her. She and Dhir strolled for sometime chatting. I was too tired to budge. I gave her money for the tickets which she directly refused. Only when I showed her that we had ample money, she took it. With happy faces, we bid adieu, "See you in feb, we're coming for a conference".

The rest of the trip was again too dull and all I did was try to read the book. Could not focus and the short attention span made my progress snail-like. It still kept me busy. Second law of thermodynamics increased Dhir's entropy so he couldn't sit quite for long and kept moving around. After Mathura, the journey became more painful as the anticipation reached its maximum but the speed of train reached its minimum with stoppages more frequent than a blueline bus. When finally we arrived at Delhi, we rushed to our homes to get as much sleep as we could. And the pattern(rushing home to sleep) carried on for a few days at least.

(Yes!!! Finally the marathon story is over... :) And I am as happy as you, the reader).