My Journey to Haripal

Its amazing how complete strangers get to know each other in a couple of seconds when something common happens to them.

The other day I was traveling by train to get to a place called Haripal. I didn’t know that I was up for some unique experience in my life. I had to board a train, which runs from Howrah to Tarakeshwar. My destination was the 7th station from where I boarded, a station named Sheoraphuli. The train travels through a single gauge line (I think an unthinkable and unimaginable affair to people outside West Bengal!!) and I knew that it was going to be a troublesome journey. Surrendering myself to my fate, I boarded the Ladies compartment, as it is more comfortable and safer than boarding the general compartment during the rush hours. I checked the timetable to find that it will take roughly 40 mins to reach my destination. It was already 10.45 am by my watch and so calculated the time to find that I can comfortably sit for at least till 11.25 am. I sat back resting my back on the hard seats that too adds to ones discomfiture. The train started smoothly at the scheduled time, and I felt that maybe I am not so unlucky after all.

I took my time to observe my fellow passengers. There were roughly about 50 people –women of all ages from 5-55. Some were busy dozing off, some were looking out through the window enjoying the view of the lush green meadows, some were reading magazines or story books, some busy pampering their kids or busy instructing them with ‘Do’s and ‘Don’ts and some others lost in personal thoughts and seemingly in another world all together. Apart from some giggling and gossiping by some college-goers, the compartment was relatively peaceful with occasional shouts from the hawkers-hawkers of all kinds selling from cosmetic goods to stationary goods- a regular affair in our local trains. A steady breeze was blowing on my face and the constant, monotonous sound of the hammering of the wheels of the train was making me sleepy too.

It went on in the same manner for at least 10 mins till it arrived at its first station called “Diara”. I had noticed in the timetable that it being a small station, the time allotted for its rest was only 1min. But the hands of my watch went on revolving 360 degrees time and again with no sign of the resumption of its journey. I grew restless and fidgety and looked around for the reactions of my fellow-passengers. But I was quite surprised to find that this delay hardly seemed to affect them in any way-all were pre-occupied with their own tasks. I could not but help asking the woman beside me (aged about 30) about the cause for this undignified delay. She stared at me with a bored but obviously amused look at my question. Then without answering my question, said, “Seems you are a stranger in this route, aren’t you?” I admitted that I was and to show my desperate state added that I had to reach in time for an interview in a school at Haripal for the post of a teacher. She asked me when was I to have that and I answered it. She felt relieved to hear that and assured me not to worry. I remembered that I still haven’t got the answer to my initial enquiry and asked about it again. She gave a huge yawn and said that since it is a single line journey, it is a routine affair in this route to take 15-20mins at a particular station and on this particular day that station was incidentally to be Diara. I was not as much horrified to listen to her answer as her cool, nonchalant and casual way of putting it.

I felt like crying aloud. Maybe it became so obvious on my face that she said to me “Hey! Don’t you worry dear. You will surely reach in time. Trust me. I am a regular passenger in this route and I board this one six days of the week.” I felt really grateful to her for assuring me in those terms and I heaved a hugh sigh. She smiled a little and asked me where I lived. I answered her and in turn enquired about hers too. Found that we both have boarded from the same station.
Though it was about past 10mins since the train had showed any movement, it still showed no sign to resume its journey. I knew I had no choice but to surrender myself reluctantly to my destiny. I thought it better to take this chance to know my fellow passenger to know better. She seemed a pretty friendly one and quite open to conversations with me.

I asked her about her destination and learned that she was to get off at a place called “Tara” which was 3 stations after mine. I felt relieved at this too as I found a friend in her to sympathize in my woes and was not ready to part with her before I reached my destination. On asked about what she did, learnt that she too was a schoolteacher in a high school. Taught Mathematics. I felt impressed, as it is a subject that I dread from my schooldays. So I find anyone who teaches Mathematics really impressive. I said that to her and she smiled in an amused manner. She then asked about my subject of specialization, and on knowing that it was English said that it was her turn to get impressed. I giggled at this and immediately we seemed to get closer to each other due to our fear in each other’s subjects.

Suddenly, the train blew its horn and it started with a shove. I checked my watch and found that it was exactly 21mins that it had last moved. I exchanged glances with her and her smiling eyes seemed to tell me, “Told you!” I smiled at her again and felt that maybe I would not be late for my interview after all as she had assured me before.

The heat of April was getting on my nerves and I began fanning myself though the train’s fan was steadily revolving over my head. It was again she that conveyed to me all sorts of means to keep cool during this season. I felt grateful to her for this too.

In the meantime, the train had reached its second station. I feared that my experience at the earlier station would be repeated. But was relieved to find it moving in no time. I gave another hugh sigh and felt relaxed. I resumed my conversation with her as I thought that I would have certainly gone more fidgety if not for her constant assurance. I learnt that she has been a teacher since 4years. She had a kid of hardly 5 months and that she felt real bad to leave her to attend her job. But had no choice, as she needed the extra income for her family. By this time, the train was passing each station smoothly without giving me further nervous breakdowns. She gave me some useful instructions for my interview and I felt more confident after her directions. She cautioned me that the next station was my destination and that I should get ready to get off. I thanked her for everything but she said that she too enjoyed my company and wished me success for my interview.

I bid her goodbye and got off at my destination without any trouble. I waved her though the window and she smilingly waved me back. I looked at my watch and was relieved to find that I was in no tension to reach in time though I had taken about 25mins more than the scheduled time. Suddenly I remembered that I haven’t even asked her name though we had been talking for more than half an hour. I thanked in my heart of hearts to my nameless fellow passenger who had emotionally supported me throughout my journey.

The interview went smooth enough and her instructions helped me a great deal. Will get to know about the outcome by next week. In any case, I will certainly not forget my nameless friend who made me forget that we were complete strangers just an hour ago and may not meet each other for the rest of our lives!