Train to Hell

26^th Feb 2002

“Sabarmati Express 2 ghante late hai” Beeped the man at the railway enquiry counter.

Rehan’s heart sank deeper as he struggled out of the queue and walked towards Nazia. She was standing near the reservation chart with her luggage. He told her the status and added “Actually all the long distance trains get late and especially in night during winters” said Rehan justifying the delay.

Nazia and Rehan were college sweet hearts and she was travelling to Ahmadabad for an interview. They have been dating since 2000 New Year party in college. Their relation bloomed with the beginning of the new millennium and they were planning to get married soon. It was end of Feb but still it was chilly and they were shivering despite of their jackets.

After sometime, Nazia said: “Rehan you should leave now; it’s getting late and colder with every passing minute. I will call you the moment I board the train. Ok?”

Rehan didn’t listen to any reasons and decided to stay back till the train leaves. He picked her suitcase and they started walking towards the waiting room in an attempt to relax and stay warm. They started talking about how important it would be for her to get through the interview and their future plans. The time passed on and after sometime, they dozed off.

It was just 15 mins or so before the aging monster arrives crawling on the rails. They got up hearing the piercing train horn. They came out and stood on the platform. The platform was deserted and some dogs were howling on the one corner. Suddenly, the train appeared from the thick fog and S8 came to a halt where they were standing. Rehan helped Nazia with the luggage and after 10 mins or so the train left huffing.

As Nazia entered the coach, she found the entire coach was saffronised. It seemed like everyone is coming back or going for some pilgrimage. She made herself comfortable on the berth after chaining the luggage to the hooks below. As she was about to doze off, her cell-phone rang. It was her Mom calling. She had informed her earlier about the delay.

Maa: “Beta!! Train aayi ki nahi??”

Nazia: “Maa train mein hi baithi hoon aur abhi station se nikli hai”

Maa: “Chalo theek hai!! Waise beta tumko jyaada pata hai lekin thoda dhyaan se dena interview… Bilkul nervous mat hona. Nayi wali salwar pehenkar jana. Hotel mein pahunchte hi call karna.”

Nazia was listening to her like a 4 year old as she went on mentioning all the Do’s and Dont’s to follow for the Interview. After some more informal talk she hung up and slowly dozed off.

27^th Feb 2002

Nazia woke up rubbing her eyes as she found the train stationary. Lazily yawning she checked wristwatch; it was about 7:45 a.m. As she lifted the window up a cold and spine-chilling gust of air greeted her. Her skin puckered into goose bumps. It was all looking foggy as if it’s all covered with soot. The train was not supposed to halt for so long at such a small station. May be some train is crossing, she thought… She heard some raised voices at a distance which she was not concerned as she was looking for a chaiwallah to cross near her window. Suddenly her phone came to life and she saw Rehan’s name blinking. She picked the call and sat up straight to get a better signal coverage. She told him that the train is stopped at some unknown station and looks like there is some dispute going on.

While talking to Rehan, she saw a man wrapped up in a shawl probably hiding something inside, coming towards her coach from a distance. His eyes were blood red and he was looking very angry. Rehan was listening to her when she asked someone casually:

“Bhaiya, kaun sa station hai ye?”

He heard the man saying “Godhra” and with a sharp shriek the phone went dead.

Chai ki ek Talab

Shruti Kakkad was working in a MNC as a Software professional. She was one amongst the millions of engineers who used to spend half of their life in front of the blue screens. She hated her job like most. She had a delivery coming up in a week and she was asked to lead the team and had to stay back late that night. She was at her desk compiling the code which was sent for her review and the automated tool was taking its own sweet time to complete. Lack of sleep and previous night's hangover were taking their toll on the poor soul. She was not able to hold herself and finally dozed off. The screaming error message on the screen jolted her back to the reality, in her cubicle C-209 from her dreamland. She got up to realize that the keyboard and her cheek were smeared in her drooling while she was asleep. Disgustingly, wiping her cheek she stared at the screen and tied her flowing silky hair in a knot. While getting up she saw the big mug on her desk and she knew what she needed at this very moment.

She expectantly looked at the passing peon and made an eye contact just for a second and he immediately understood what she needed in this cold chilly night.

He said, "Madam, Doodh to nahi hai, chai nahi ban sakti hai." Her heart sank deeper hearing this as she trudged out of the cubicle with a heart heavier than the delivery pressure. Life’s tough. With the clock striking the Cinderella hour, error screen screaming to be addressed, and No tea, Shruti felt as if the world is conspiring against her. It was not fair. Irritatingly she muted the system and went to the ladies room to cover the ruined make-up before one of her many fans sees her. From the ladies room window she saw 2 boys smoking outside the company gate. Immediately she knew what she has to do. She got an idea.

After the quick patch up of the makeup she rushed out and ran towards the lift. From the unlucky floor she started descending to the ground at snail’s pace. The moment the lift doors opened, a gush of ice-cold breeze kissed her freshly painted face. She immediately realized her mistake as she walked past the lobby. The stole was hanging in her cubicle and she should not have worn sleeveless. The security guard saw her and stood. She was taken aback as she didn't expect anyone there. He caught her and knew that she did it again. She forgot to get her Id while running down. Shruti pleaded and explained that it is at her desk and she came in rush. Reluctantly he agreed to let her go. She came out of the company lobby only to realize that it was extremely cold at this hour and she could see the dense fog in distant light. The night was getting more seductive by the minute as a poet would express it. The night was really cold and for once the weather department’s prediction came true, which she chose to ignore earlier that day. She was getting cold with every step she was taking outside. And her teeth were like a Morse code machine, punching the code into thin air coz of the spine chilling winter. kitt kitt kittt….. It was pitch dark outside. She could hear the distant growls of the zooming cars and trucks on the Outer Ring Road. She was determined that her idea will not fail her in keeping her warm and relaxing her. She was little scared, but she saw the boys out there and she knew she will get what she wants there.

Rubbing her hands, in an attempt to keep herself warm, she moved to the entrance gate. At the gate she found that the boys have left and there was no-one. She felt depressed as the last hope was also gone. She was sure that she saw him also on the cycle. All her effort of coming all the way from 13th floor went down the drains. As the human count on the road became sparse, the canines started patrolling with their tails up. Dogs added the required Indian-ness to the office landscape. One of them looked inquisitively to her and after a moment joined its pack, which was howling together at a distance. In spite of all the atheism and rationale she was bred in all these years, she was still feeling really uncomfortable with a pack of dogs howling at a distance for no reason. It was a bad omen. Suddenly an auto driver popped up like a matrimonial ad of shaadi.com from thin air asking if she needs an auto. Looking at him disgustingly, she said "No". Disappointed and dejected she turned back to head to her 4 by 4 cubicle. And then she heard it.

She turned back in anticipation hoping what she heard was true. She realized that the security guard in the adjacent company was whistling trying to shoo away the canines and the sound was not what she thought it was. She thought her fate could not be so bad. How can god be so heartless to a poor soul like her? She heard it again and this time she was sure that she heard it right. She waited with baited breath, voicing the prayers for it to come true. The fog was thick and the service road ahead was pitch dark. From that abyss of darkness she saw a ray of hope, a tiny twinkling light. Her hopes started rising and she was sure that her prayers have been answered finally.

From the pitch dark fog she saw the light was coming closer and getting brighter with every passing second. She could make out a lean young figure walking towards the company gates. Yes, it was him. It was confirmed now. He was walking with his Hero cycle with 2 jute bags dangling from each side of the handle. He was short and lean, may be in his mid-20s. He had a white pair of "action ke sports shoes" on. An unbuttoned orange jacket over a bright red shirt made him look like a character from the nursery sketchbook of a mischievous child. His head was covered in a woolen cap to protect him from the cold blowing wind. She had seen the big steel container tied to the seat. She was never so ecstatic to see anyone ever as she was to see Manoj- the regular guy. She knew Manoj well, as he was Krishna’s brother who used to cook at her boyfriend (Ashish) place. He used to come sometimes to help his brother in cooking where she met him. She felt comfortable seeing him walking towards her. She could not wait for him to come closer. With every step he was taking towards her, she was feeling energized and rejuvenated. Finally Manoj reached where she was standing expectantly. He asked her, if she wants. And then she said, "Manoj, Ek chai pila do". Sipping contently on the hot brewing tea she went upstairs, wrapped up the work and left home late that night.

Next day she went to Ashish's place where he was preparing tea. She noticed he was little disturbed about something. She got to know that Krishna has not been coming since past one week. He told her that his brother Manoj who used to sell tea in Outer Ring Road was run over by a lorry last week and was dead on the spot near her office. A chill ran down Shruti’s spine. Her whole body numbed. Her blood froze. She gave him a scared look and fainted, when he offered her the cup of tea. Still Ashish wonders, why she stopped having TEA suddenly?