Mumbai Meri Jaan – Delve into my train travel

As Mumbaikars, there is a lot of train travel to our respective workplaces, that we undertake day in and day out. It was one of those rainy days and it was pouring (it was pouring in the real sense like cats and dogs) and the train seats were literally soaked and completely wet, allowing little space for us to even stand. This is when I happened to see this lady who had managed to sit keeping a small plastic cover ensuring that she is somewhat comfortable. I guessed her age and she must have been around 55 + age. Amidst the entire crowd, we just happened to see each other and she offered her seat and adjusted a little, so I got the 4th seat to sit down. It is truly a luxury getting to sit on the 4th seat, especially during the monsoons, when no one wants the window seat. I sat down besides her and we smiled each other. I greeted her with my usual “Thank you Aunty”. Our place of work was the same. Days passed by and we took the same train and she used to tell her tale of stories that included even her day to day happenings, what she cooked last night and the latest gadget she got home. She beamed with delight when she spoke with me and felt excited when she got her new cell and she told me how she loved Whatsap. She has been working since the age of 17 and the best part was that she served in the same company. She was to retire the next month and she had mixed feelings of retiring from the company, but she also mentioned that she was happy that this was happening. She had mentioned about how her husband retired few years back, and that he would drop her everyday to the station and see her off and also come back at the said time everyday to pick her up. Aunty mentioned that she would miss all those moments, those were her cherished times and both she and her husband looked forward to it. They remind me of those teenagers who wait anxiously to see each other and meet up with each other once they are through with their classes. Somewhere, I felt a little hurt and felt that I would miss her company. It was only a few months since we met, smiled and without even knowing each other’s names, we had become close. At times, it is not our relatives or our close friends whom we miss; it could be as simple as the train vendor who comes selling her usual stuff like trinklets, ear rings, bangles etc. Such is the beauty of human relationships and we too get comfortable travelling in the same train. In Mumbai, we address it as the 0733 slow or the 0741 fast. Every Mumbaikar would be able to relate to me and also all those people who have shifted out of Mumbai. After all it is MUMBAI MERI JAAN. Luv u all beautiful people out there. Watch out for more from my blog! Keep reading – Remain blessed always.