As we came down we got to know
that the train was getting delayed but not sure how late. We still got in an
auto and headed to the station. At the station we rushed to the platform and
spotted A2B. Her train had arrived then at the platform. She looked worried for
us as the train was delayed by 5 hours. All our jaws dropped 5 feet down. We
still managed to laugh at it as if nothing bothered us. We comforted A2B and
allowed her board the train. We got to the TTR and got to know the train was
delayed by 12 hours. Which means we are stuck for the night and will get the
train only at 5.50 am next day.
We started exploring options –
Bus, Flight alternative train. All seemed in vain as the costs were high and it
was definitely not worth according to us. We took a reservation form and wrote
the details on it to book alternative train. The booking was closed. We then
were told Suvidha train will have 2 general coaches getting attached
additionally. We were not quite comfortable with the idea and went out of the
station with long faces. Still contemplating what to do, I informed my manager
on whatsapp msg about the mess. Then we decided to stay at the station and
headed to enquire about the station dormitory.
The person in-charge at the office
spoke like one irresponsible person. I wonder how come railway stations have
such lousy people and expect passengers to get help from them. We were
irritated with him and stepped out of the office and tried checking if he was
cheating too much with the cost. He was asking only little more than the actual
cost and so we accepted. We were not allowed to wait outside and office and so
we came back to the waiting area.
We found place to be seated. Satz
and I wanted to charge our mobiles and so we started looking for charging
points. We left behind Christy and Kim at the waiting lounge. We were talking
random topics. One passer by enquired about Alleppey express being cancelled.
Satz with expression “same peeling” was guiding the passer by. Exactly at the
same time we could see a train coming to the platform and halting. Satz then read
the board and said it loud” this is Suvidha express. Look for seats here as
there is general compartments added”. May be that was his inner voice that
spoke aloud to him too. He told me to keep a watch on the mobiles while
charging and he wanted to check whether we will be able to get any seats to travel.
He headed to the front of the train to check for seats. It was less than a
minute and Satz’s phone rang. I avoided the first 2 rings thinking it must be
from his wife Nithya. I wanted to avoid it because I would not have an answer
as to when we were returning and thought maybe she would get worked up. Then I
just glanced at the phone it was from Kim. I answered the cal. She says “ Come
to the last coach of the Suvidha express we are boarding this train and leaving
right away. I was awestruck. I couldn’t believe my ears “ we are leaving to
Chennai right away”. I quickly looked in the direction that Satz headed and
could figure a lean skinny person amidst the crowd. I screamed from where the
mobiles were on charging, but in vain. I quickly unplugged both our mobiles and
the chargers. I started waking swiftly and shouting “ Satti Satti”. Yet he couldn’t
hear me. I took to me heals and ran at my pace calling his name “ Satti Satti”.
All the people on the platform stared at me as if a girl was running behind a
guy to convince him. Damn! Why can’t people mind their own business.
I screamed further at the top most
pitch of my voice and there the guy turned and looked at me amazed as if asking
why was I running and screaming. I told him that Kim and Christy have found
some place in the last coach Suvidha express and we are leaving to Chennai. We
took to heels again towards the last coach and spotted Kim trying to move the luggage.
We grabbed our started our next round of screaming. This time “ Christy , Christy”.
There we spotted him and quickly boarded the train. We made place for
ourselves. Satz and Christy then went to take the ticket and dinner. They called
from the shop to check for chips that is required.
While returning they also bought
playing cards. Very impressive of Christy! Go getter!!
The train started and the journey
began. We opened the pack of cards and started playing ASS. Game after game
without surprise I would be the last one to finish and would earn myself an “A”
card. Kim would ROFL followed by Christy and Satz. Sat and Christy played like
masters of the game. However, Kim seemed to get jealous of me ad started
getting “A” card in game after game. Finally, she earned herself all the four “A
cards and won it! Definitely won it!
We took a break and I went to the
restroom. Definitely crowded and I definitely learnt a good deal of lesson. I returned
and Satz was very concerned as I seemed completely off. We still resumed
playing and we were all laughs as I started the trend again. There was a good
observation Christy made. Whenever I would earn 2 cards, the immediate next
game, Kim would take on from me. This was amazing. This went on till 11 PM.
We then decided to eat dinner and
relax. We got our mobile phones charged and I put on my earphones. Satz’ head kept
bouncing in the air. Christy and I managed to keep moving as we were near the
window seat. I was on whatsapp and also listening to songs. Every time I tried
to sleep I could not and so I decided let’s no sleep. It was 6 in the morning
and we could still see the crowd around us. I made my mind this is going to be
the same until we off board.
Kim and I took turns and stood for
some time. It was painful to sit that long. We reached Arakkonam around 7 and
the engine driver dint seem to like the idea of reaching on-time or before
time. He would start the engine and after moving for a minute would switch off
the engine. This happened for an hour and we finally read the board on the station
we entered as Arakkonam.
From here it was about an hour or
so. The train started after half hour. Christy decided to get off in Perambur
and he did so. We passed on his chips cover through the window for his ease. We waved him good-bye and continued as the
train started. We then entered Chennai station and got our suitcases out. We got
ready to off board and suddenly glanced at the hanger near the window. We almost
forgot about our chips packets. We quickly grabbed that too and off boarded the
train. Kim booked the cab to Vadapalani and was trying to add a stop in between
to her house. The network seems to have some problem. Satz also got his drive
to his house. Kim and I got in the cab and kept trying nothing worked. She
dropped me at home and in the same cab booked for her home drop.
It was laughs, laughs, laughs,
laughs, laughs, laughs, laughs and laughs only all through the trip.
I wished the clock stayed still for some more
time!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment