Through the stinky lanes of Nizamuddin station, at the time when I was looking for where is my train, I settle myself in coach S-8 with six strange faces around me. Trying to feel comfortable, I open the window and put on my earphones. The siren goes off and I hear a kid scream “here we go!”
Feeling the first jerk of the train made me nostalgic, bringing back memories, the second jerk made me teary but the third jerk made me realize that it’s time to move on. As the train gathered momentum so did my will to stay back in Delhi and never leave, but as we moved past the city limits I had lost myself in the view. Looking at the lush green farms and the sunny meadows, I have never felt so peaceful. Now, I never want this scenery to wipe off my mind, such fickle mindedness of humans. Interrupting my state of nirvana came a lady sitting next to me, talking so loudly about her life being perfect! This made me question, Is life truly perfect? or is it just a way of our psyche to cope with the worst. I looked at the kid sitting in front of me and wondering whether his life was perfect!. Observing his face, all I saw was mere innocence mixed with a sense of curiosity that comes with every little detail of life at such a tender age.
With all these thoughts running through my mind, I saw a tea vendor and bought a cup of sugar spiked tea. At first I hated it but then I developed a taste for it. Gulping down every sip I realized how I don’t want this ride to end so that I can enjoy the rhythm that silence brings with it. Soon the sun set and the meadows cloaked into darkness, as if it had gone to deep sleep I pulled out my blanket and opened my bunk only to lay down for a while. My mind filled with dreams of my own but my brain still consciously awake. It was one of the most relaxing naps after a long time, with no deadlines or work. I woke up as the sun shinned bright only to see that I had missed the entire journey and was already among the Mumbai city limits. It reminded me of a familiar smell that weirdly comforted me.
As I reached the Mumbai station, I got this wave of excitement about the unknown. While leaving the platform I questioned whether I actually missed Delhi or was it just a way of Mumbai welcoming me. Whatever it was helped me gather the courage to face the world with a brave soul but a sober smile.