Train Encounter

8/8/2019 Train Encounter

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Train EncounterArka Samanta

Chapter-1

"The Train Station"

"May I have Your Attention Please, 2859 Howrah-Mumbai

Geetanjali Express, Which was expected to come at 17:16 hrs is

running late by 50 mins."

Shalini was waiting eagerly for the train to come. Sitting on an

empty bench on the platform of Tatanagar, she could barely wait!!

After traveling such a long distance from Asansol & waiting for

more than 3 hrs, she was just on her edge of nerves.

"Maybe there's some problem with the signal" said her dad in a

reassuring tone, "They have a single line problem every now and

then."

Shalini was not interested in these things. She was in fact lookingforward towards her admission in K.P.B. Hinduja College of

Commerce. After her successful result in class 12 board exam she

was very happy when she found herself in one of the colleges in

Mumbai after counseling. Though that would mean that Mr.

Sharma has to pour in some extra money.

"Ring-Ring" Her cell phone jingled in her hands, "Who could it

be?" she thought as she saw an unknown no. flashing on thescreen.

"Hello!!"

"Hi Shalini! Remember me?" Replied the voice over the phone.

Suddenly a chill swept Shalini from top to bottom of her body.


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"What are You doing here?" She hushed back to the receiver.

"Hadn't I told you that I'll Be with You wherever You go?" said the

voice.

She just strolled away a few steps ahead of her dad just to ensure

that they're not being overheard.

"This is not a joke anymore!! I can't believe this, You are here?Now what is this? What do you want?" There was a bit of resent in

her voice.

"It never was a joke Shalini. Not the day I 1st called You up, Not

now..." said the voice


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"Why did you call me?

"Now that's a more intelligent question & I will certainly let you

know that. Well, its a fact that you are going to Mumbai on 3rd

day of July this year and you've been allotted the seat no. 43 in the

coach S4"

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"Oh no its not!! Well I give you today's time to check your status

and when you are sure... I'll call You back."

Shalini was more than sure that the voice was exactly right. But

how on the earth he knows all this!

That evening, Shalini got the call she was waiting since long...

"So... What youve Found out?" said the voice

"Look would you just simply tell me what you want? Or should I

take this matter in my Dad's concern."

"Oh baby!! Why troubling your dad every now and then. All I want

is a little conversation before we head on to the long journeytogether"

"What freaking journey you're talking about?" Shalini couldnt

stop it any more.

"Dont you know Shalini? We are going together...

Well in case you dont know... I am your co-passenger!! My seat is

44 in the journey you are going to make on 3rd July." Said thevoice.


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Chapter-3

"And They Started Talking"

"What was that?"

"The Truth, Shalini. Wasn't it the thing you wanted to hear?"

"Now Look, I am not used to talking with boys and..."

"There you are!! Well I dont blame you. Its hard for almost

anybody to start talking to someone so freely on the first day of

meeting, and still you cant see my point of calling you??" the voiceon the other side had a sparkle in it.

"I...I couldn't get you!!"

"Lets take it this way, you board into a train, get your seat & start ,

doing nothing!! Although you can see lots of people around you for

you to socialize but how could you?? Will it not create a bad

impression to start at once?? So you waste a lot amount of time in

just creating your ground before you actually start speaking!!"

"And..."

"And I hate waiting!! So on a welcome note, if we perform all the

formalities now, then we can be going great when we actually

meet!!"

Shalini had a smile in her lips(a silent one although). She was kindof impressed by the way the voice showed confidence.

"Hello!! Are you still there??"


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Shalini sprang back to life to realize that she was still standing on

the platform holding the cell phone to her ears.

"Look!! My Dad is here. And I dont want you to..."

"What did I promised you... Shalini? I wont meet you unless the

train gets started..."

"Well isnt it all weird? I am still thinking why am I talking to

you?"

"There are a lot of things that happens which we dont

understand.. So ... Dont think too much."

But Shalini was again down her memory lane by then...


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Chapter-4

"Down Memory Lane"

Shalini had never thought that someone would ever propose her!!

Well she thought that she was just another normal school goinggirl, with no interests in other worldly affairs. But her confusion

went wrong when a boy named Arun asked her if she wanted to be

his Valentine...

Days had past since then and their relationship had also matured

along the way...

After Arun completed his 12th std, he went to Pune to pursue his

career in Medicine, Things were a little painful for Shalini. She

was suddenly too lonely. Although Arun called her often butShalini thought that his voice was becoming colder still, she felt

herself drifting away from Arun.

Shalini remembered every bit of the conversation that went on the

last time when Arun called her a few days ago...

"Hello Shalini??"

"Arun!!"

"Yes its me, well... H...How are you?""Well I am fine, what about you?"

"Hmm..... Just stressed out.. Too much study...

Shalini...I .....Was just....."

"Yes!!

"Maybe I'll call you later....Take care Shalini..."

Shalini could almost shout at Arun to tell..."Speak Up!! Why are

you hesitating to share your feelings to me??" But she couldn't.

"Shalini !!" the voice brought back her in reality "Where are you

lost??"


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"Look...th..."

"Shalu!!" This time it was Mr.Sharma."With whom you're talking

for so long??"

At once the call ended, Shalini went a little nervous & answered..."Papa, it was Nita. I couldn't meet her when I was leaving.....so.."

she said add honestly hoped that Mr. Sharma will take this dumb

excuse.

"Alright, But the train will be here after a few mins, so don't go too

far.."


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Chapter-5

"Mischief, Mayhem, Someone"

Strolling on the platform, Shalini was again sucked back into her

memories....Nearing June, one day Shalini was sitting in her room, doing the

project-work which was given by the instructor of the computer

coaching she enrolled a few weeks ago...

She was supposed to work on some online pictures which were in

her folder. Shalini was very poor at modifying pictures & usually

took a hell lot of time in morphing them. But today was her lucky

day, she was carefully doing her job when just like a bolt from the

blue, a window popped up saying..."MISCHIEF"And before Shalini could react to something, she saw her whole

project work was getting disfigured!! Shalini tried to correct it but

it was too late. Someone was controlling the workspace from

outside, "but how was it possible!?" Shalini thought.

Just then another window popped in front of her eyes

saying..."MAYHEM"

And Shalini saw her whole folder, which contained all the works

that she had prepared for that days submission being deleted one

by one!!Shalini felt like crying out loud. How would possibly she submit the

files today?

She quickly disconnected her PC and shut it down. She could only

guess the horrible consequences that she would face that day at the

coaching centre.

Shalini gloomily traveled her journey to the computer centre, and

at once decided to inform her instructor about that day's incident.Although she knew that it would be nothing more than a lame

excuse to her instructor.


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"Really? The way you said "Hi" was a little sad, are you sure that

you are alright? Is there anything that you are hiding from me?"

"No....Nothing!! I ... I am just tired....lots of work, today..."

"Well in that case, I will call you later, Take Care..."

"Well this was typical Arun conversation. He never lets you feel

anything" Sighed Shalini.

"But why did you not tell Arun about the person over the calls?

Why are you actually hiding that person from everyone?" Shalini

was in deep trouble with herself...


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Chapter-6

"What!! He's on the Radio!!"

Shalini went back home and helped herself with some food. She

was really starving! Then she sneaked into her room & closed thedoor behind her.

She switched off all the lights and sat down at her favorite place,

laying her back against the cupboard. She used this place as her

very own place in this vast universe. A place where she could think

about anything and everything. A place where she was really free

to do whatever she wanted.

Shalini thought about all those times when she used to settle there

in between her board exam studies for sometimes, to ponder abouther day so far in general & life ahead in particular.

Shalini recalled how she had sat there for hours talking with Arun,

who on the other side kept on insisting that the talk is getting too

long. He was ignorant of the fact that Simple chats over phone are

more romantic than long strolls in silent streets. Arun was always

this 'Silent Lover' tag. Shalini always had this feeling that she

would never know how much Arun loves her...

After dinner it was the time to go to bed. Shalini always went to

bed at 10:00pm & always did the same thing. Turning on her FM

radio to catch the nite special request program. The songs that it

played, along with the true emotions which the listeners dedicated

songs to their loved ones... it made her night an memorable

journey.

"Hello & welcome to 93.5 red FM. U are tuned in to Nite Slot...."Shalini sank in the wonderful world of music that followed.

She couldn't possibly remember when did she fall asleep but all of

a sudden something startle her out of her sweet dreams.


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"Well I would like to dedicate a song..."

"What!! He's on the Radio!!" gasped Shalini. She could have never

thought that the person would go to such an extent.

"May I know who is calling?"

"I am sorry, I'd like to remain anonymous, and I know very well

that my voice is enough for her to recognize me....Isn't it Shalini?"

A chill ran down through her spine, she always dreamt of an FM

song dedication on her name... But she had never thought that it

would come that way!!

"So how is she related to you?"

"Actually I dont know... is it her name, or the way she speaks over

the phone, or the silly mistakes that she does, every time I feel that

I'm somehow related to her... I am still struggling to find that out

but I know, she can help me out!!"

"Of course she would, my friend!! Now which song you want to

dedicate to Shalini?"

"Its a soul-song from the film 'Mann'. It goes like--Kyo Chupate

ho Mann Ki Baat"

Shalini could literally hear her heart pounding as she listened to

one of the most favorite songs she can ever imagine of !!

A silent tear fell down her cheek unnoticed as the radio played...

"Kyo chupate ho mann ki baatKeh bhi do beeti jaye raat

Duriyan Kisliye...

De do haathon mein haath...."


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Chapter-7

"The Drift..."

Shalini wasn't sure what she was up to!! She had never allowedany other person to breach into her private world, until now...

The person behind the receiver was literally controlling her

activities day & night. Shalini felt that she was spending a little

more time in phone. Even her friends started finding her different!!

How in this world that the voice was sensing every wish & desires

of her!! Shalini never told anyone about this thing. Not even Arun.

"Shalu!! The train is on line clear!! It'll be arriving here anytime."Mr. Sharma brought her back into the present.

The Time was coming near... Shalini could sense the excitement

that was raising high within her.

She looked down at her receiver for the last time to check that it

didn't show any connections left. She remembered how once she

made a try to get information about the no. from which the call

came.....

"9830..? It must be a Kolkata Hutch no." said Komal

"Why are you enquiring?"

"Nothing .. Just as information" Shalini Hesitated.

"Is Everything O.K.? You seem a little offbeat these days"

"Meaning?"


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"Meaning, a little too much happy!! What's up? Is Arun finally

started expressing himself?? Ha. ha."

"Komal !"

"He better be! So, all problems solved. I told You earlier, he justneeds some more time...."

But Shalini wasn't in a mood to express what fight she was going

through right then in her mind....

"What if??.....Will he understand my point.....Well even I can't

blame him....then why?....is it good?"

"Shalini... Shalini.... are you here??"

"Yeah, I'd better leave now"

Shalini had never faced such situation in her life. At last she

decided to confide it near the voice...

"Yes ask!"

"What would you do when you are not able to decide which way is

true?"

"Listen to what my heart says.."

"Even if it means that I would be cheating someone?"

"You will be cheating him if you don't let know him the truth.."

Shalini got a shock and in hurry, disconnected the call...


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Chapter-8

"Arrival"

Shalini was a little too engulfed in her memories. She was brought

back by the monotonous voice of the announcer...

"May I have your attention please. Train no. 2860 Howrah-

Mumbai Geetanjali Express has arrived on platform no.4"

"Shalu!! Hurry up!! The train is here!" Mr. Sharma was in a

hurry.

Shalini quickly recollected herself and hurried up to the coach

which was in front of her...

"Thats not s4!!" Mr. Sharma shouted from outside.

"Oh.. sorry!!" Shalini was in a hurry to get down when she got a

glimpse of something... something which came and went away so

fast in front of her eyes, yet it seemed like she had recognized it.

"Shalu!! What are you waiting for? come'on!!"

"Yes Papa."

With a hitch in mind Shalini boarded s4 and with a pounding

heart, went near her seat,43.

She had reserved her seat on an upper berth cause she loved to

enjoy an upper berth journey. That meant that the person, wouldbe seating on 44, lower berth just opposite to her's.


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"Look Shalu!!, don't take any food from strangers, Ramesh uncle

will receive you in Mumbai, and I'll be reaching there as soon as I

sum up my work over here..."

"Yes papa"

"Don't be afraid since you are traveling alone for the first time,

these train journeys are too much exiting!! You make

acquaintances with new persons, there faith, culture, that's

necessary for your further life..."

The words hardly fell onto her ears because she was occupied by

the thought that who might come on the seat in front of her. The

person who has disturbed her peace of mind for more than one

month...the person who has become the topic of her everytime

discussion but still about whom she hasn't told anyone yet!!

The seat was empty, the rest of the seats were taken by a family

who were continuously chatting among themselves... Shalini had a

tremendous urge to ask one of them that if the person has ever

come to his seat till now, but she suddenly remembered that her

father was still sitting there.

"So" Mr. Sharma said after a long pause, Everything Allright?"

Shalini would have been equally happy if she could say that truly,

but she said

"Yes Papa"

The train gave a jolt to announce that it is in a perfect mood toleave, Mr. Sharma gave Shalini a warm hug and said

"I am proud of you! Call me as soon as you reach there, Ramesh

uncle will be at the station, Take care..."


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Shalini sat breathlessly and waited for the time to come, she was

still confused to how she would react when 'he' will come but now

she couldn't wait any long!!

The Train left Tatanagar station & went on in smooth pace... thetime was inching closer, Shalini could feel the excitement rising,

she restlessly took out a book and started reading, but within a

minute she realized that not a single word was going into her

mind!!

The train stopped at the next station "Adityapur". And Shalini

heard a well known jingle from the inside of her purse.

"A SMS!!" Shalini's heart pounded,

She took out to see that the message said "Could You Please Come

near the gate?"

The message must have been sent a bit earlier, but she couldn't get

it because there was no signal in the running train!!

Shalini stood up! And slowly started moving towards the craziest

thing she could ever imagine...


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Chapter-9

"Face behind the voice"

Shalini inched near the door. The swarming crowd that has just

popped in made her approach a little slow!! She gave out adesperate "Excuse Me!" every now and then...At last her eye got

the glimpse which se was craving for more than a month now!!

Shalini got a shock!! Shock of a lifetime. She stood there for more

than a minute, just thinking the fact and then recollected herself

finally and uttered,

"A second more and I would have caught you with your orange t-

shirt in s2...

How could you do this to me??"

"Shalini, believe me, I had no intentions to hurt you... I was just...

"Hurt? Do you have any idea what your joke has done to my

life??"

"It never was a joke Shalini.Not the day I 1st called you up, notnow..."

"What the hell do you think of yourself Arun!! Now where is that

person whom you fixed up to call me?"

"It was me Shalini!! I called you up all these days. I arranged all

these things just in order to be with you!!"

"Do I look such a fool to you Arun? Am I such a stupid girl that I

wont be able to recognize your voice over the phone? Why are

you lying to me Arun? Tell me the truth." Shalini's voice was rising

by steps, a few curious onlookers were peeping from their seats.


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"Shalini.....calm dow...

"Dont you two know that it is dangerous to stand beside the gate

in a running train?"

Both Arun & Shalini were interrupted by a railway guard who was

on his regular stroll.

Arun came forward and said "Sorry sir!! We'll be heading towards

our seats right away."

"You better be..."

"Shalini can we just go to our seats and talk there? I will explain

you every detail" said Arun.

Back in their seat, Shalini looked very hostile to Arun. Arun had

his last chance to prove his innocence.

"Shalini, please listen to me once... I will explain the whole thing

to you.

It all started when I went to home this May. It was an unplanned

visit to collect some of my necessary papers which were to be

attested in my presence. So I thought to give you a surprise. I was

in Kolkata when you called me up one day, unaware of the fact

that I was in the state. It doesn't matter since my cell phone was in

roaming. You let me know about your ticket to Mumbai, remember

now?

In that instant I got an idea! So I ran to the nearest train stationand booked my ticket for the same day...today, luckily I got the seat

next to you, but the main problem was how to disguise myself near

you, since I was very much sure that you would recognize my voice


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over the phone. I got a new sim card, and my friend Vikas came to

my rescue.

Vikas gave me this software, which can change voice over a digital

line, so I simply hooked up my cell phone to my laptop and called

you up that day...

Arun popped up his laptop and gave Shalini a live demonstration

how he had actually done that. Shalini was speechless when she

realized that the person she had fantasized for so long was nothing

but a few audio frequencies off Arun's voice!!

"And then I kept on calling you under the hood this voice,

connected to your home line. That was easy, because I knew the

address of the server. Mended your files, shared your

ambitions...let you dream"

"But WHY?? Why did you do this?" Shalini was still in a state of

confusion.

"Because I Love You!! And I've always tried to express my feelings

near you and failed!! Just because you are the most wonderful

thing that has ever happened to me!! And I never wanted to loseyou...

I always had this fear that I will lose you, so I hesitated to say

something which was not normal, feelings that I've always kept

buried inside me which were to be said to you someday...

This voice helped me to share those feelings to you....I have done

things that I could've never done being Arun!! I shared your

deepest desirers, dedicated your favorite song, chatted long over

telephone, learnt your weaknesses, asked for your love!! And allthese with no risk of losing you!! Please forgive me if I have hurt

you...."


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Arun fell silent.

After few silent minutes, Shalini raised up her head... her eyes

were wet....

"Arun, you made a mistake! Do you know? I wasn't sure of my

feelings towards the person who was calling me all these days. Iwas confused about what I would tell him when I will meet him

here. But when I found out that the person I was thinking about

does not exist at all, then I realized that I have started loving him!!

The way he shared his feelings, the way he made me feel special,

the way he said that I am the only person about whom he cares....

Its true that he intruded into my life, and you let him do that... and

every time he came closer to me, he took your thought far away.

And now I feel like I cant stay without him!! But you killed him by

telling me that it was you!! I hate you Arun, I hate you....." Shalini

broke out in tears.

Arun too was in a gloomy mood, he was not in a state to speak, he

took Shalini's hand and whispered softly "I'm Sorry!! I didn't mean

to hurt you!! Tell me how can I make it back?"

"I want him back...I want him...I love him..." Shalini's tears were

stirring all the fellow passengers.

"Hadn't I told you that I'll be with you wherever you go? Then why

are you crying!!" the voice fell on Shalini's ears.

Shalini looked up to see Arun, still holding her hands and looking

into her eyes with deepest of love in his eyes...

Shalini Tightly grab Arun, she's not going to leave him anymore....

Shalini caught a faint sound coming from somewhere, a track shehad loved so long...


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"I've found a reason for me,

To change who I used to be,

A reason to start over new,

And the reason is you.

I've found a reason to show,

A side of me you didn't know,A reason for all that I do,

And the reason is you...."


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Chapter-10

Epilogue

"Truth is stranger than fiction"

I've heard this many a times from many of my friends, but never

got a chance to verify it.This July (I mean july2006) when I was on my way back to my

college in Nagpur, I was struck for 6 hours at Tatanagar station, I

didn't have the slightest idea that I'll get to face one of my life's

most interesting moments.

Yes, dear reader!! What you just got through last 9 chapters

actually happened to be my fellow co-passenger!!

I came to know about her problems when I had started chatting

with her when I knew that she too was going in the same train.

She didn't want to tell this "weird" incident to me at first, thinking

that I won't believe her, but then told at last.

I was awestruck when she told me that the person was going to

meet her that very day!!

Well anyone can guess what amazement did I pass when the

person turned out to be her Boyfriend!! I just asked them if I could

write about their incident. They agreed and so here I am!!

No Doubt I have modified a lot on the story part. I think as a writer

I have that right. But if, dear reader, you are the person concerned

here (I mean Shalini or Arun in real life) Then please let me know

how much justice I have done to your story.

And dear reader, if don't have any idea who Shalini & Arun are in

real life, then just let me know how much I have done justice in

Story Writing..Arka.

[email protected]

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