THE TRAIN AFFAIR
Part 3
Early next morning, Sameer heard Priyanka’s voice while he was getting his shoe polished.
“Hi, Sameer. Good Morning.”
“Hi, Priyanka. Did you find your wallet?”
“Yes.”
The shoe shine boy smiled at them.
“Anil, what happened? You are all smiles today. Did you win a lottery?” Sameer asked the shoe shine boy.
“No Sahab. I am smiling because you two have finally become friends.”
“You are very observant.”
“Sahab, I know everything that happens on this platform. We discuss all the regular commuters every night before going to bed.”
"We?"
"The other shoe shine boys."
“Is it? Do you discuss us?”
“Yes, of course.”
Anil picked up a muslin cloth, unfolded the long strip and rubbed it on Sameer's shoe.
“Before I forget, here is the money,” Priyanka said, holding the notes in her hand.
“Priyanka, you don't keep account with friends.”
Priyanka put back the money in her wallet when she saw his child-like angry expression.
# # #
Sameer missed Priyanka on weekends. He cursed himself for not asking her out.
On Monday morning while Sameer was busy chatting with Anil, he felt someone tapping his back. He turned around and saw Priyanka with a small packet in her hand.
“A gift from a friend.”
“A nice way to return my money. Anyway, thank you.”
As days passed their friendship grew stronger; it blossomed into love. However, Sameer was unsure. He could not interpret Priyanka's feelings. He did not have the courage to ask her.
Finally, one day he mumbled out the question while standing on the platform.
“Priyanka, I love you. I want to know if this is just one sided.”
"Sameer, I love you too. I fell for your childlike innocence when I first saw you. Your love means everything to me."
Sameer was elated. Priyanka's answer cheered him.
"You know, I fight and argue with everyone if I miss seeing you even for one day," Priyanka continued, her eyes locked on his face.
“I am so glad. Life would have been meaningless if you had refused.”
After the disclosure, Sameer waited for the right opportunity to ask Priyanka out on a date. The chance came a month later.
“Priyanka, tomorrow is my birthday. I want to go out for a movie. Do you think you can make it?”
Sameer asked her.
“Yes, of course. I will be the first person to wish you tonight."
That night Sameer waited anxiously for Priyanka’s call. He longed to hear her voice. He wanted her to be the first person to wish him. But the call never came.
She is not interested, he thought.
Next morning Sameer stood on the platform, his eyes moved across in all directions in search of Priyanka, but was unable to locate her. Just one phone call, and she could not even do that. He missed a couple of trains, hoping to meet her. When he was sure she had ditched him, he traveled alone to his office. He was angry and hurt at being taken for a ride. He never imagined Priyanka would play such a prank. She had hurt his feelings. Sameer promised himself he would never call her again.
Sameer stopped traveling by fast train. He changed his train timings. Gradually he realized that she had never loved him. He really hated her.
A week after his birthday, Sameer had to reach his office early. He had no option. He had to travel by a fast train. As he stood on platform number five his thoughts instantly shifted to Priyanka. He cursed her once again. His eyes swept across some female commuters standing at a distance; hoping to get a glimpse of her. Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice. It was Anil, the shoe shine boy.
“Sahab, you have come after a long time. I am sorry about your friend,” he said, with a sad expression.
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, I know she is dead. You are hurt. You haven't come here after that day.”
“Who is dead?”
“The girl. Your friend, who gave you the gift.”
“Priyanka is dead? But… how. When?”
“You really don’t know about her accident?” Anil asked him, with a puzzled expression.
“No, Goddammit. Tell me,” Sammer shouted, unable to control himself.
“She was run over by a train that evening. It was very crowded. She could not get out. When the train started moving she jumped and fell through the gap.”
“But she always returned with her Dad in the evening. In his car.”
“I don’t know about that. When the police brought her on the platform she was alive. I heard her calling your name many times. She struggled and tried to keep herself alive. But eventually she died, right where you are standing. I even clicked her picture with my mobile.”
“Do you still have the picture with you?”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Show me.”
Anil showed him the picture. And there she was. His love. His life. Dead. His legs gave way to his emotions. He sat down on the ground and cried. What a fool I was to doubt her love, he thought.
Today, Sameer owns his own software company. He is still unmarried and alone.
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