The year is 2016. 10 pm. A small town with a surprisingly clean railway station. The hustle of the day is long gone and only a few passengers litter the platform. Usually I avoid trains, but work had me come here. The small homely town lacked an airport. Trains were best suited and it was just an overnight journey.
Waiting for trains has always tested my patience, but I can't help it. Checked out of my hotel earlier in the day to save my company some money. Yeah, corporations like to cheap out everywhere.
As I am lost to some brooding, the train arrives at a stop. It brings back childhood memories of journeys made with my family.
The rush on the sleeper segment is a sight to see, thankfully I have my seat reserved in the first class cabin.
I have been told the first class cabins are usually empty. Good, I don't want some stranger snoring next to me. And maybe I can work on my presentations silently.
I enter the compartment expecting it to be empty.
What I see though leaves me surprised. I found a girl there already sitting. Folded legs, hiding her face into her laps. Looks like she is trying to make herself as small as possible.
As I put my luggage away, I could hear the slight whimpering noises coming from her.
As I make myself comfortable on the seat opposite to her, she straightens herself up. Wiping away the tears and the snot.
I try to not notice her so that she doesn't get uncomfortable. No one wants to be seen when they are vulnerable.
The train soon starts. I get comfortable on my seat and open my laptop to work. Work of the devil, these laptops. Imagine no laptop, no extra work while traveling.
My curiosity wins over and I can't help myself take a peek at the girl. No, not a girl, a young woman. She just seemed so small earlier.
She still looks sad. Having her head rest against the window and looking out even though it's dark out there. Seemingly lost in her own thoughts.
Beneath the tear stained face, you could see how beautiful she is. Dusky complexion, big eyes, full lips and a cute button nose. The hair was kept in a single pony. Wearing a simple t-shirt and a pair of jeans. She looked beautiful even without trying.
With the usual sixth sense that women have, she notices me looking at her. I quickly pull my gaze away. Pretending I was just trying to exercise my neck.
She goes back to looking outside, no visible reaction to my staring.
I do feel bad for her. The stare would have usually brought up some reaction, even a condescending one. I wonder what makes her so sad. I also know it's not my place to ask for it. I wouldn't have liked a total stranger bothering me as well.
Time passes by. It's getting late. Almost midnight. The girl hasn't even moved to stretch. Against my best judgement I decide enough is enough and try to think of something that might help.
I go out of the compartment and find the pantry guy.
"Bhai do cup coffee de dena."(Two cups of coffee please)
"Sir, itni raat ko no coffee. Subah milega. "(Pantry is closed till morning)
I slowly slip a nice tip to his hand. Enough experience with this kind of stuff.
" Acha sir, aapke compartment mein pahuchata hoon."(I will get it delivered to your compartment)
" Nahi. Main yahin hoon, tu mujhe lake de. "(No. I will wait and take it myself)
Finally after making me wait for 15 mins, he comes back with two cups and a flask full of Indian filter coffee.
I enter the compartment. Go sit at my seat.
" Coffee?" I ask as I pour a cup for myself.
The girl finally seems to notice my existence. But she doesn't give a reaction and still keeps on doing her routine of staring into nothing.
"Pee lijiye. Acha lagega."(Drink it. It will help you feel better)
" Nahi peena. "(Don't want it) She replies without even looking at me.
" Jaisi marzi. Yahin padi hai agar peena hai toh."(As you wish. It's there if you want it )
I say to myself I tried and got back to work.
When I look back up after 15 mins I see the girl reaching for the flask slowly.
She pours herself a cup. And whispers a small thank you. I just nod, giving her some space.
Coffee as usual, works wonders. Having something warm inside you usually does.
The girl is much more relaxed. She finally looks away from the window and seems to be staring at me now.
" Thank you. I needed that." She sounds much more confident now. The throat eased up a little it seems.
" You are welcome. Happy to help."
" Why are you happy, you don't even know me?"
" I don't have to know you to see that you needed something. Just my good deed for the day." I say with a sense of cheekiness.
" Acha din mein ek hi acha kaam karna hai?"( You would do only a single good deed per day?) She asks in an even voice.
" No, Just making a point. "
" And what point is that?"
" That you don't have to know someone to help them"
She nods to herself, like she is happy with my answer. The nod of approval helps my ego.
" I asked them for some coffee before. They refused saying the pantry is closed for the night. How did you get it?"
" I gave them some tip. It usually works."
" Tell me kitna hua, I will pay. "(How was it, I will pay)
" Ho jayega. Rehne do. Koi jyada nahi hai. " (It's okay. It didn't cost much)
" Thank you. Call me Khushi. "
" Waise you can call me anything. But my parents named me Raj. Naam toh suna hi hoga. "('My name is Raj. Naam toh suna hi hoga' is a famous movie dialogue)
" Acha, coffee pila ke flirt kar raha hai?"(Are you trying to flirt after a coffee)
" Arey, isme flirt kya. Maine toh bas apna naam bataya."(No flirting. I just stated my name).
"If you say so." She says before things quiet down and we continue to enjoy our coffee.
"Tell me, do you drink only coffee or can you get anything else?"
" No promises. But I can try and get whatever you want?"
" Something stronger than a coffee. "
" Ah. I don't even need to go anywhere for that. I always carry my own stock. "
"I hope you don't mind whiskey."
