THE TRAIN AFFAIR
Part 3
Early next morning, Sameer was getting his shoes polished when he heard Priyanka’s voice.
“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.”
“Yes, Anil. You are very observant.”
“Sahab, I know everything that happens on this platform. My friends and I discuss all the regular commuters every night before going to bed.”
“Is it? Do you discuss us?”
“Yes, of course.”
Anil started laughing.
“Before I forget, here is the money,” Priyanka said, holding the notes in her hand.
“Priyanka, you don't keep account with friends.”
Priyanka looked in his eyes. She could see his childlike anger. She put the money back in her wallet.
As the weekend approached, Sameer missed Priyanka. He was at home daydreaming about her. He cursed himself for not asking her out.
Monday morning, as usual he was getting his shoes polished when Priyanka came running down the stairs. She had a small packet in her hand. She walked briskly towards him and said cheerfully.
“A gift from a friend.”
“A nice way to return my money. Anyway thank you.”
Days pass. Their friendship matures; it turns in love. Sameer was unsure about 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 or do you feel the same way about me?”
"Sameer, I love you too. I fell for your childlike innocence when I first saw you. You love means everything to me. You know, I fight and argue with everyone if I miss seeing you even for one day.”
The news makes Neil very happy.
“Priyanka, I am so glad. Life would have been meaningless if you had refused.”
Time moves. One morning while chatting with Priyanka, Neil tells her about his birthday.
“Priyanka, tomorrow is my birthday. I want to go out for a movie with you. Do you think you can make it.?”
“Yes, of course. I will be the first person to wish you. Midnight, at 12:01 sharp. I will buy you a beautiful present, later we can go for a movie.”
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 at the platform with a heavy heart. He missed a couple of trains, hoping to meet her and clarify things. 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 to be so unemotional. She had hurt his feelings badly. 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 but to catch a fast train. He reached platform number five. His mind immediately thought of Priyanka. He cursed her once again. His eyes swept across some female commuters standing at a distance; hoping to get a glimpse of Priyanka. 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.”
“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? What are you saying?”
“The girl. Your friend, who gave you the gift.”
“Priyanka is dead? But… how. When?”
“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.
Books
Film Scripts
Short Stories
Website statistics
Copyright Note
-
Follow me on Twitter
Check out the updates on lalit navani's books and other content. Messages welcome. Follow him to know when his books get published. 
I am also available on facebook
Lalit Navani can be found on facebook. He also has a group. Join today to connect with him. Everyone is welcome.
Linkedin Connection
lalit navani's complete profile available on linkedin. He accepts all invitations. Send one today.