Chapter 3 - The train rocked from side to side

The train rocked from side to side. The bodies, crammed into the ladies compartment of the local train, moved accordingly. When they were inside they were no longer mothers, wives and daughters. They resembled some vague aquatic microorganism, swaying in the water, attached to their host by oral suckers (for they held on to the horizontal bars that crisscrossed the ceiling of the compartment). The harmony of this alignment wouldn’t be disturbed till the next stop – that’s the Andheri West railway station. Meenakshi was ready for what was to follow. The muscles of her forehead crinkled with concentration. It had to be precise, her movement to the platform. One false move and she would fall flat on her face, and on her would collapse a deluge of female bodies.

As the engine began to slow down to a halt, she could feel an ever-increasing force that would eventually propel her to the platform. The last few seconds were excruciatingly painful, as bodies collided against each other and emerged out of a small orifice pushing back other bodies trying to get into the compartment. It was like a thousand babies being born all at the same time. And then it was all over. A few more steps down to the auto-stand and she could have a hassle free ride back home.

It had been hectic, the last few days. There was not much of personal life for a financial journalist such as her. Gone were the days of carefree college-life – Sophia College was now a happy memory that she would recall when she met old friends for coffee. The computer screen with rapidly changing stock indices, aluminium ore prices and oil prices was now her world. Her lovely colleagues Rekha and Anita were good company though. But each had their families to go home to. It was kind of vacant now, with Maan missing from her life. He has a dentist’s appointment today - hope he remembers. But I really shouldn’t worry anymore – I am sure he has other friends (damn that Shila) to remind him.

The auto roared to a start and moved on briskly amidst the traffic like a mouse. Distant honking and other vehicular noises surrounded Meenakshi, like thoughts surround an idle mind. She wondered if he thought of her too. Has he eaten? Keeps skipping his meals. Should I call him? She even picked up her cell phone. She had erased his number last night. It was like how tears sometimes dissolve words written on paper. But then she remembered his number only too well. She typed his number on the keypad, but she didn’t call …