The Train Journey

It was after a long time he woke up this early in the morning. His parents were fighting already. They were late. It was like just another ordinary day except the day was not ordinary at all. Rabi was going to Dhanbad today for his cousin’s wedding.

It is not something Rabi is really looking for. They are taking the Black Diamond express from Howrah. When he was a child Rabi used to like the trains very much. But now when he had to travel daily in local train up and down for school, he hardly notices it.

Rabi Kumar Yadav, a boy of fifteen, was having troubled time lately. Now a day when ever his parents talk, they fight instead. Rabi was feeling lonely because most of his good friends are busy with exams of girlfriends.  He needed a break but this wedding was going to be more of a punishment than break. Still he was looking forward to it.

They had booked a car to reach Howrah Station. It had been quite a while since Rabi had travelled in an express train. By the time they reached, the train was already at the platform. “I will take the window seat” Rabi demanded.

His parents agreed with that immediately. Mom was fusing about cold wind etc but dad stood up for him. They were looking like a normal couple, after so long time. Rabi started to feel happy.

As the train started to move, two or three persons sat in front of them. They started chatting with dad “Dada, where to?”

Rabi was surprised how cool dad was while talking to the other persons. He was completely different than how he is at home. He was not shouting but laughing; even Mom joined the conversation. Since when mom is interested in politics, Rabi never knew.

A young couple was sitting at the side seats. Rabi was glancing at them every now and then when tea wala entered the area. Mom offered him tea “Do you want tea son?”

He was surprised. Mom is dead against giving tea to young ones. Rabi was always given milk. All of a sudden he was offered tea. He voiced his concern “Are you sure mom?”

Mom laughed. Not a quick chuckle but full laughter and stole a glance at the young couple, “Looks like my boy is all grown up, I can offer him tea now”. Rabi blushed.

I told you that Rabi used to like trains in his childhood. His grandmother was alive then and she used to travel with him to the school and back. So many stories, so many memories: it was like a family that time. Everything changed after grandmother passed away. After a long long time he was feeling like he belong to a family again.

Bardwan came and the daily passengers were left and an elderly couple took their place. The old man was grumpy but the old lady was cheerful. She reminded Rabi of his grandmother a little.

They lady started to talk with mother. A vendor came with velpuri. “Do you like to have to some velpuri mom?” Rabi asked.

Dad said “Yes, let’s have some velpuri.” He started to take out his purse.

Rabi stoped him, “Please dad, let me pay”

“How will you pay? Where will get the money” dad was half surprised and half amused.

Rabi did have some money. He was given some pocket-money to spend in the wedding. He told them that.

“Are you sure you want to spend That money on us now?” mom was laughing.

But Rabi was more than sure. As soon as the journey would be over no one knows if they would be a family like this or if he would feel happy again. It was like older times, when he used to love the trains. He looked at the elderly woman and asked “Grammy, can I buy you velpuri please?”