We, few friends were returning from Puri. Down Puri Express of 8pm.
We had reached the station quite early. Train was already waiting at platform.
We are utterly surprised to enter the compartment. A girl, not exactly girl a woman of 22-23 was sitting on my seat, countless holes on her dress, dry and dirty hair. Within few minutes we felt that she is abnormal.
What should I do!! Was feeling very uncomfortable. Meanwhile I was placing our packed food on upper berth.
We tried to make her understand that she should leave the seats, even scolded her.
But she was adamant to leave, was staring and murmuring " NO NO". Her blasting hungry eyes had found the food packets.
"Biriyani?", the sound we heard in anguishing surprise. Bread and Chicken was there so I answered, "No, it’s not Biriyani".
She was reluctant to listen anything, wincing like caged bird. Packets were count, I fall in dilemma of heart or brain.
Running out of solution we compelled to gave her one packet. "Biriyani", the sound waved out from her mouth and was audible from far distance.
She jumped out of the compartment glee was sharp on her eyes. I was cautious on the door as if she wouldn't enter again. She was about to enter in a dark compartment of a train halted opposite of ours.
Surprisingly she came back and stood in-front of me. Eyes were heavy and full of tears; droplets were scaling down through her cheek.
With a smiling face she said "Haven't tasted in years, I know this smell. He will come to take me. He has told me to wait in this station."
I am stunned. "Who will come to take?” asked her. Her face became pale, a vacant pairs of eyes were searching something, couldn't found anything probably. Only "He will come, he will come". A cry of whole life was flooding through those helpless eyes.
She ran and vanished into the darkness of platform.
Our train had started. I don’t know exactly what made her mad. Longing or betrayal. She has forgotten herself but couldn't longing. Her smile was flashing on my mind.
She kept him alive on her tears, seems it’s only possible as she is abnormal.
All compartments were in deep sleep by then. Rare lights were entering inside; train was running bisecting the night
With its metal rhythm, I was sleepless-brimming. So many life has slipped from the orbit, finishing. Does everything get lost?
I really don’t know, yet i want to believe that everything is not for vein.
This humongous creation can’t run on the mirage. On that faith waiting tomorrow's dawn. Bisecting the breasts of the night train's whistle is enunciating my thoughts.
Keep going Keep going.
At-last peace...
(Translated By: Tanmoy Bepari)