How do you feel standing at the railway station while trying to recollect your coach number in Shatabadi that was never confirmed? Well, I was definitely laughing on my stupidity that I had forgotten to check my ticket status for the first time in past 4 years. Though I had the option to take a bus or check out some other train, still I preferred to board Shatabadi as I was in no mood to change my plans at the last minute and secondly, I thought of testing the power of feminism through fake pretention before TT that I never knew my status. Fortunately, there were more folks in the train to accompany me. I got into conversation with another victim who mentioned we need to pay around 1600 bucks for on-board ticket without any seats. I wasn't carrying much cash. Since it was this guy's second time without ticket, he suggested me to take a chill pill. I was kinda okay with giving a try to something unusual. Meanwhile, he told me about the train caterers being paid very low like 3000/4000 bucks a month for spending their entire time on duty. I understood the reason why some people would offer tip to these folks otherwise. I was more interested to pay few bucks to these guys than wasting a big sum for 4 hour journey. When TT came over, he was all set to create an over paid ticket. This guy who didn't know me a while ago, offered to pay partially for my ticket as I could return him the money on reaching Delhi. I appreciated his gesture of hospitality but personally, I was definitely not up for this since I could better get down at Ambala and take a bus. Seeing my dilemma, TT suggested me to get down and board another Jan Shatabadi from Ambala which was due to reach Delhi by 12.
Ironically, I wonder why TT was expecting me to offer him some bribe. I had around 800/- out of which he accepted 300/- with courtesy. I was not in the favor to pay him even a penny but since I wasn't sure if there could be a scene and secondly for his polite gestures, I preferred to stay mum. On reaching Ambala, I suggested him to take the complete sum and let me travel but in vain. Anyways, I appreciate his concern that he routed me to the other train on station and way to ticket counter. I rushed for a ticket to current reservation quota but since its vacation time, I should not curse my luck for not finding any availability. I grabbed a general class ticket but boarded the train in reserved boggy being cautious if general boggy will be worse. To treat myself with something better than the so called hygienic breakfast in Shatabadi, I grabbed a plate of matar kulcha from station. Seeing a seat empty, I asked neighbor aunty if I could sit for a while to eat. She seemed in more dilemma than me to answer as if she had missed two trains. Anyways, I sat down and enjoyed my breakfast. It was tastier than the past times. Since I never spotted a TT in second class, I was neither anticipating one but to add more spice to my journey, I found a TT strolling through my coach. By now, I had become brave enough to handle another encounter.
He didn't approve my general class ticket as there were already many in waiting list under reservation quota. He o ffered my seat to a sardar Ji as he had his ticket confirmed from waiting list. Out of hospitality, sardar Ji offered me to share seat with him to which TT denied as he wanted me to get down at the next station. Huh, I was done with enough adventure for the day so I decided to stay and face the consequences if any. It was not my lucky day but the essence of Punjabi omneity did not let me feel helpless anywhere. Another sardar Ji offered me to share the seat with their son in my lap. I tried talking to little sardar Ji for a while but he was way too shy. At one station, when his dad gave him a pack of chips, little sardar Ji's mummy signaled him to offer it to me. It literally took my heart.
We strive to appreciate the western culture of no interference to our personal lives in metropolitan cities but I don't think we are always right on that. If there wasn’t this guy on train who offered to lend me money without knowing me or the TT who showed me way to board another train or these sardar Jis in train who offered to share their seats without a concern, I would have never realized the worth of being a Punjabi. I have never found even a percent of such genuine gestures in NCR till date.
Anyways, since little sardar ji did not like my company much, he preferred to sit with his parents and I thought of offering my lap to the other little ones getting crushed in crowded train. I was in a different mood to offer a hand of help being inspired from those strangers who made a way out for me today. I spent my time chatting with the little strangers who were all set to their nani house for summer vacations. I was missing my childhood when nani house was the only adventurous tourist spot in holidays. True that materialism can never buy the warmth of selfless love and affection.
Just like the 5 hour morning journey had ups and downs, my article got pretty long too. On a final note, I reached office safely on time and I’ve booked tickets for my next home visit right away out of pro-activeness.
“Travel solo sometimes but travel safe. You will never be able to realize your true potential until emerge through tough situations successfully.”
