RaNdOm ViChAaR ?!?

Udhaar ki zindagi

kiraye ka makaan

packet bhar umeed

or soch ki udaan

muskurati aankhein

gungunate honth

pehli barish

or wo pehli chot

thandi si dhup

or chilchilati sardi

khuli khuli raahein

or local ki gardi

Appraisal ka tension

rishtedaron ka vaar

mummy daddy ko chadha

meri shaadi ka bukhar

kuch sacchi si baatein

kuch random se shabd

ye maine likhe hain

main bhi hu stabdh

CrOwD hAs No FaCe
I am not a regular local train commuter, so I always try not to board the train at rush hours. Though, there are times when I am left with no choice but to board the train. Yesterday (9^th Dec 09)was one such day when I had no choice but to board the 5:33 p.m Virar local which was running late and hence touched Andheri station at 6:00 p.m. Hence the crowd which is usually divided into 2 trains was waiting for this one to come. I had some important work at Mira Road and was already running late so had no choice but get into the train. My cousin who has hardly travelled in locals, and even if she had, then it was not in rush hours was scared that how will she be able to step into the train where people are already hanging outside the train. I just told her to trust the restless public which was waiting on the platform and stand somewhere in the middle of the crowd.

People who have an experience of travelling in Mumbai locals can understand the importance of standing somewhere in the middle of the crowd. And also know that Virar local is the most notorious local because of its crowd. I’ll not blame the crowd though, as the frequency of Virar local is very less and large number of people travel on this route. Hence, junta travelling upto Borivali is not welcome in this train. I was lucky enough as I had to go to Mira Road which is 2 stations ahead of Borivali hence on being asked where I have to get down no one shouted at me.

Travelling till Goregaon was fine as I managed to get place to keep both my feet flat on the floor of the train. But by the time train touched Kandiwali, the train compartment turned into a suffocating carbon-di-oxide gas chamber with smell of sweat in the air. A tiring day, little bit of weakness and Virar local was the perfect set up for the feeling of dizziness and nausea to circumvent me.

I requested a lady to let me sit in her place for 5 mins as her place was close to the window. But in the meantime she vacated that place for me, my hands suddenly went numb. For few seconds I went blank and was not in a state to understand what was happening around. My sis got scared as what to do. Before she could react to the situation I could hear many questions being asked to me. Some asked whether I am fasting or do I have some medical history but along with this question round I could see so many hands filled with food items and water, extended towards me, just to help me and make me feel comfortable in that fully packed Virar local. Some were rubbing my hands and feet and some fanning. Those people even vacated one entire berth so that I can comfortably lie down and rest. It was nothing less than a miracle to get a place to lie down and rest where people could not even find place to stand. In those few minutes I could feel that God has sent so many angels who are surrounding me.

I could not see anyone’s face as there was so much of crowd. The only thing I can remember is just that crowd, extending their help and support to a person whom they don’t know and probably will never see again in their lives.