The Strange Meet

Responses of this Story:

"It was Looking as if m reading another chetan bhagat book... u r dng great bro....gud luck" - Another Friend gave his views recently. 

"Bahut bahut accha hai..
Fuc*ing amazing.. I dont have words!
Seriously one of your best works till now.
Thodi grammatical errors hain par the content is so awesome that it overshadows it." - My younger Brother

"You Remind me of Chetan Bhagat, Loved your Imagination" - My Chachi

"At many places, the story is going away from theme....hold it tight and try to make strong links and avoid to identifying writer and yourself...." - Papa
 
"Any girl reading this would feel so jealous" - Coming from a friend

"Gunti...did the 'hug' really happen ? " - My Batch-mates at IIT Guwahat

"Oye seriously ye hua tha kya ya phir as usual funde baaji hai teri...:P :P :)" - KK

This story is in Parts Current Updates: Part 1 & 2

Enjoy Reading..!!! :)

Part 3 is Now Online:
The Strange Meet Part 3

You can get in touch with the author here:

Vivek Gunawat

Do follow my Facebook Page for Photography:
Vivek Gunawat Photography 

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PART -1

SMS typing:

PNR 261-2435678……message sent

SMS Received:

PNR 261-2435678

Passenger details:

Passenger number 1

Seat 17, Coach A-2

Rajdhani Express, Dep: 1630 hrs.

NDLS to BCT

Yet again I was ready to complete a very long train journey back home. I reached New Delhi Railway station, and the first thing I did was to check whether my next lag of journey was confirmed, and was happy to know it was.

After having my lunch at my uncle’s place in Delhi, I came back to station to board Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani, and my evil side just was reborn. Travelling alone is boring until you crazy, funny or interesting people, from which you take back something with you.

I think it’s not new, but old, habit of people of checking all the names of people of your compartment, generally young boys like me tend to find cute girls in the compartment. And other, who check the list are people who like to see their names on the chart, or to know the confirmation. Since, mine was confirmed already, I did not care to look at the list and proceeded to my seat. 

Again a side upper berth; I was tired of side births. It is a wonder that sometime it becomes a lover point if you are with your beloved, but not for me… I was still single. The problem of side seats were that they were short in width, which became a problem while sleeping. The only position that one could possibly be while sleeping was keeping the body facing the sky/train roof. After placing my luggage under my seat, it was time to continue my novel, I was reading another so called “Bestseller” by Durjoy Dutta, it is called “You were my crush, until you said I Love you...”, this guy gives witty names to his novels, and having catchy name helps in marketing. So, I started from where I had left.

The good thing about Rajdhani is that, firstly leisure, and second what most Indians say bhai khaate pilate le jaate hain ! The latter part is what is more interesting to me…FOOD! 

While you read a good book, and someone comes and serves you snacks, then hot coffee/tea, it’s a good experience in all. A must try! :)

The next serving was about 2hours and 30 minutes later which was the soup before dinner.
I was totally lost in the characters of the book, only sometime I looked outside to check my location. I wanted to see my native town which is about 350 km away from Delhi, so I wanted to keep a check on my location from time to time.

I was still alone; my co-passenger had not still arrived. May be he/she forgot to board the train. I did not give it another thought.

I was deep in my thoughts, thinking about how a story could be turned upside down, sometimes it becomes difficult to believe that something like that could happen in real life, and then I realize that it is ‘fiction’.

A Graphical Representation as to how the situation looked at that time

A sweet voice was herd…”Excuse me?”

I thought why some girl would ever call me, so ignored.

Again the voice “Excuse me, you reading the novel”.

This one was supposed to be me, because I did not see anyone there except me reading a novel. And then I looked back.

A beautiful girl, with two roller bag stuck between the junction of two cabins, a leather handbag with her, had fair complexion, long hair untied, had large baby like eyes, with a pinkish lip gloss, wore a blue & green shade kurti with a light blue jeans.

I had to say, she was cute…!!!

And the next thing I did was to just keep looking at her, gasping as if my long dream was coming true that day or it was just that she was just passing by!

What dream that I am talking about?

After every semester, I have to travel 43 hours on the rails from Guwahati to New Delhi and then from Delhi to Mumbai. And back again. And every time, I have this wish to have a cute beautiful & cute or hot girl in the compartment or the best was to get the side berth so that we share the lower one together. Exciting, isn’t it? And just imagine all of this coming true

Girl: “ Kanika….”

Me: “No, Sorry…. I am Rajat”

Girl: “I am Kanika, Kanika Malhotra”

Me: “Hi, I am Rajat Pandit”

Kanika: “You on 18 … ?”

 Me: “Ohhh…Yes, you want me to climb up?”

Kanika: “No it’s just that I had to put these suitcases below.” 

Me: “Not a problem let me help you with it”.

And then I helped her out with the luggage, and then we both were sitting right across each other. How much interesting my novel was, but I wanted to read the one right in front of me. I wanted to know more about her.

I know, it’s difficult to break the ice, when one has a cute girl sitting right across you. Things were taking place as I wanted it to be … as always. But Dil Toh Baccha hai Ji, Thoda Kaccha hai ji.
But I took the courage & spoke…

Me: “So, going to Mumbai?”

What a silly question it was, there was a high possibility that since the train was to Mumbai, she might too be going to Mumbai.

Kanika: “Yes, going to join college there.”

Me: “Which one?”

Kanika: “Sophia…”

Me: “That is a real good & reputed college. I wish I could study there too”.

Kanika: "But, isn't it ....?"

Me: "Yes, for the very same reason ;) "

[ Sophia College - A Girl's college affiliated to  Mumbai University. ]

Kanika: “Really, am glad.” And she winked ;)

Me: “And you know, many movie & daily soap scenes has been shot there”

Kanika: “That’s, really exciting. I wish I meet somebody there”

People will come to meet you there, since u being a beauty, guys definitely won’t leave a chance to see the divinity … I wanted to say. C’ze I was already falling for her. But instead, "You would” I said.

Kanika: “So, what do you do”.

So, there came the question. Where like every other occasion, I get to flaunt my institute’s name. Ha Ha, I can’t help it. It’s fun…

Me: “Hi…” And Raised my hand for a hand-shake, for the introduction.

And her soft hands felt velvet soft.

Me: “Hi, I am Rajat Pandit. Doing my Bachelors of Technology or B.Tech as you might have herd, from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT – pronounced it as if it was M-I-T) Guwahati.:

And she started laughing. She looked even more gorgeous when she laughed.

Kanika: “That was hilarious, Mr IIT’ian. You should try stand-up comedy.”

Me (Blushing): “Aww..Really?”

Kanika: “Yes, you can try. I was impressed.”

Me: “But I am more into writing, singing, poetry, lyrics writing …etc”.

Kanika: “And I am into dancing, reading, and into arts and am terrible at singing.”

Me: “Dancing….hmm… I can’t. What do you read?”

Kanika: “Anything that is interesting, say fiction, romance, thriller, biographies etc…”

Me: “Try me, if u interested”.

Kanika: “What….?”

Me: “You din’t get me…”

Kanika: “You are an author already?”

Me: “Not yet, just a blogger for now.”

Kanika: “Oh… I see”.

Me: “Should I take out my laptop then…?”

Kanika: “They must be online na then?”

Me: “Yes they are…”

Kanika: “Wait then…I’ll open it on my phone”.

Apple iPhone 5, I could have offered mine, but my poor Nokia 7500, doesn’t allow it.

“Address…???”

Me: “Its, (….).blogspot.in” [The same which you all are logged on right now :P]

She read the description…

Kanika: “Creative Mind & Soul.Hmm....Interesting Title...!!!"

Me: "Thanks, :)"
She Went on reading the description : "I am a story teller. 20 year old guy, fun loving and nature lover, interested in meeting new people …”

 Me: “Which one do you want to read?”

Kanika: “I’ll finish all the posts.”

Me: “Great, then. I’ll finish your snacks too, then”.

Kanika: “What, they arrived.”

I passed on her place full of snacks and a fruit drink to her. That is why travelling by Rajdhani is fun. Khilate pilate leke jaate hain.

While she was busy reading my very own blog, I kept reading my novel. But after every page I turned, I took a glance at her. Her long hairs sometimes came across the phone. Then she would put them slowly behind her ears.

And while reading, sometimes she laughed, and then she smiled. And I could live for that smile for ever.

 

Hold on, The story has just begun.

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PART 2

After our snacks got over, it was time for the Tea/Coffee session. The attendant came and asked for our choices.

Attendant: “Sir, tea or coffee”.

Me: “Two coffees”.

Attendant: “Here, Sir!”

And handed over the coffee pouch containing - 2 fine grinded sugar sachets, milk powder, and a packet containing coffee form Tata Beverages.

“Kanika, you want me to make for you. The Coffee…”

“Sure, I’ll have one sugar”

“Have you tried Black Coffee, with ginger…and lemon?”

“Never”

“Then, you have to try it.”

“But, where will you get ginger here?”

“You have not ONE, but TWO Air Conditioned Pantry bogie.” I reminded her.

 “Hmm…I know that.”

“Wait, then…I’ll be back soon”

And then, I rushed towards the Pantry Car. Since I was in A2, I had to cross 3 more bogies to get my ginger – A2, A1 & First AC. Whenever, I pass through 1^st AC, I am reminded of my old dream – Dream to travel in Rajdhani 1^st Class. Like a Boss: D.

I just hope I get a chance to travel in it soon and share the experience with you all. But, more importantly at this moment, getting a ginger was more important than the dream. The only chance after she might get impressed by my blog. My most readers like what I write, and some just loves them.

[The Dream is online now:  http://vivekgunawat.blogspot.in/2013/01/the-first-ac-rajdhani-express.html . Go check it!!!]

For all those, who are not aware about this fact that “Rajdhani Express is ISO 9000-2001 Certified train.

[Courtesy Wikipedia.com:

“The ISO 9000 family of standards is related to quality management systems and designed to help organizations ensure that they meet the needs of customers.”

Visit for more details on ISO 9000 series certification: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9000]

At the Pantry Car:

But seeing so many people cooking at the same time, I am reminded of my duties and task giving at my own hostel at IIT Guwahati, which sometimes would go like…

Me: “Bhaiya, Please see to it that Parathas in the dinner are cooked properly”

“Please, clean the serving plates properly. God dam it ! How many times do I have you to get a cotton cloth to wipe these up”.

“Ask the workers to come back soon, why do they have to come only after Bihu. We all can celebrate it here together, isn't it”.

This is the kind of conversations that I have with the Mess Manager on daily basis. Now, it has become a part and parcel of my life.

I was tempted to try the same authority on Rajdhani too, so I asked a person preparing the salad.

Tejaraam was what his batch read.

Me: “Bhaiyaa…..”

Tejaraam: “No, No …. I can’t help you with getting seats. Go and meet the T.T ahead.”

So, Mr Tejaraam had mistaken me as one of those million passengers who board the train without tickets. And, then try approaching people who could get them a seat.

Me: “I have a confirmed seat, don’t worry. It was just that one of my dear friends was suffering from sore throat, and wanted to take some herbs.”

Tejaraam: “Okay, in that case. You should ask him to have “Nature Wali Chai”.

“What! Nature-Wali-Cha. Some new brand in the market?”

“No, it’s a form of herbal drink for cold”

“Ohh…That sounds safe then: P. so, how do I make one?”

“I suppose you take ginger, some pepper, clove with a tint of lemon with lukewarm water, and hopefully it should work”.

I was stunned!!! This guy really knew stuff.

“How do you know all this?, I enquired.

“My elder brother is in Ayurveda”.

“Pretty Impressive!”

“I took the ingredients, wrapped up in a newspaper, along with a thermos with hot water and rushed back to my coach … A3 it was…no.no  A2 … I had to scroll this up to get it right: P”.

Back to Coach A2:

With all the excitement, I rushed to my coach. But was disappointed…she was missing! Seeing her stuff and luggage still there, I was relived.

I took out the stuff for Nature Wali Chai, but since she was not there, I thought of getting some fresh air.

 Now, at this point, images of young boys and bachelors taking a smoke would be on your mind, hold on to those and burn them because nothing of that sort is going to happen here…Hopefully…wait no, she was not that type…was she?

I opened the gate, the wind was cold, and I was reminded that it was December. But I so love watching the sun go down, the moving train and the cool breeze, it was indeed a great combo.

“Hey…” a low depressed voice interrupted my chain of thoughts and excitement.

She was here. Moist face, eyes swelled as if she had been crying for a while.

“Hi, hmm…what happened to you. Is everything alright?”

“No, it’s just that…” And she burst into tears...and gave me a tight hug.

WAIT

What did just happen…?, my dream to travel with a cute girl was almost going good, but this was a bonus which was unexpected.

Thank God, we were alone there. But I was a little embarrassing and I felt a little awkward. But in such a situation, it might be the thing needed in the hour. Probably that’s what girls do when they are emotionally down – hug somebody. To ease her down, I patted on her back and run my palm over her head, hoping that it may calm her down.

It was the best I could do!

Silence prevailed, it would have been a minute but it seemed an hour, two young people hugging each other in the train, happens rarely - it was an emotional moment for her, and I never ... ever imagined this happening to me. Special I would call it. 

A group of school kids passed by us that very moment, grey shirt…Scout & guides – it clicked. This time of the year when schools were shut down for winter vacation was the best time to attend a camp.

Some giggled, laughed, made fun of us.

But in a group of around 30, there was this kid, who stood by us. Must be 12 year old, thin & short in height amongst his age group.

Folded his hands, and his expression said: “Kyun Bhai, kya ho raha hai yeah…?” [Translate - Hey brother, what is happening here?]

And, to his enigmatic reaction, I responded: “Bacche, nikal ja wahan se, warna bahut pitega”. [Translate - Kiddo, Go away, otherwise I’ll beat you up!] And he ran for his life. :P :D

But let’s go back to that intense emotional moment, she broke the silence.

“Chunnii….” and took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. 

“Yeah…”

“You write so well, must be having a fan following?”

“Hmm…not really. I have a few close friends who are regularly reading it.”

“Well, you have one now!”

And I chuckled & winked.

“Thank you! I appreciate it” I said

“Coffee…?” I asked.

“And you were going to make it, right”

“Yes…!”

And we started walking towards our seats.

She turned and asked me.

“I hope you don’t mind if I call you ‘Chuniii’. Your Facebook profile says that close people call you by this name. Its really a cute & funny name though”.

[ Story of Chunni:
My Father ... Shri Chunnilal Ghirshiyaraam Pandit, was named by one of my very old great grandfather's best friend. So my full  name became - Rajat Chunnilal Pandit. And my dear friends took Chunnni and made it my nick. ]
 

I wanted you to become a close friend, I wish I could say that to her. Call me anything for that matter, but for now…“Sure, I don’t mind”, I said and smiled.

While making the “Nature Wali Chai”, I asked…

"Kanika! Why were you crying?”.

“Ohh… I read you blog, which you dedicated to your younger brother for his birthday. I loved it. I remembered my days with Bhaiyya. It’s been long that I talked to him. He is the States (USA), doing his Post Grad. ”

This was the blog that she was referring to: http://vivekgunawat.blogspot.in/2012/11/what-taste.html

“Okay, so my writing works huh … Chuckled!”

“Yes, it does. And you have a proof in front of you”.

“That’s so sweet of you, thanks!”

Recipe:

I put the cloves, black pepper & ginger pieces in the thermos that contained the boiling hot water so that all the goodness goes into the water. Meanwhile I took the two cups, added sugar, and lemon in it.

Note: More lemon = Amazing Tea (Yes, the Nature Wali Chai :P )

Then take the two tea bags and place them in the cups. After waiting for two minutes, open the thermos lid and pour the water into the cups. According to the taste, take out the tea bag from the cup and you are ready to go.

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“Here, have a taste…”
“Hmm…WOW….This is so good. I really like it.”

“Thanks!”

"Wasn't it supposed to be coffee...?"
"We'll keep it for morning"
"Oh ... sure. And the coffee is on me. I make a good coffee."

"Deal then!" I said and smiled.
I was happy that I had a 'pseudo' date was booked for the morning breakfast with HER.

And then we talked about half an hour. I got to know that she is a trained dancer, was into acting during school days. And she got to know me a little part of me as well.

And then I got back to my novel and she started to listen to music on her phone...iPhone.

A few minutes later, I realised that that the speed of the train becomes slow. And a sudden break had been applied and we felt the jerk.

“What’s wrong…?” She shouted.

“May be some technical failure”

“God bless Indian Railways”

“By the way, where are we?” I asked as she was enjoying the scenery outside.

“I have no idea”.

Since, I have been traveling in this route from childhood days. I used to constantly see out of the window, and note the distance reading stone that is put near the tracks.

“Do you see the Distance Stone anywhere nearby the tracks?”

“What stone. I see a lot of them just near the tracks.”

“Arey, the stone which reads a number both the sides stupid.”

“Ohh…that one just passed by a few seconds back”

“How much did it read”.

“1113 and a station passed by too”

“What…1113. How could I miss it? Damn the novel”

“What is it, anything significant?”

“Yes, ma’am. Come outside, I’ll show you”.

“Why are we slowing down? May be Red signal”, I added.

While walking outside, another announcement came across:

“We are really sorry to tell you that, there had been a derailment of goods train towards Mumbai, some 8km from here, we need to halt here till the line gets clear. The Crane & other Emergency machinery have been called from the very next station. Unfortunately we need to halt here for about an hour and half or two. Please bear with us”. And the same thing repeated in Hindi.

“WHAT, we will be here for an hour or two ?”, She said

“Wow, We get a chance to explore this place. It’s gonna be fun.”

“Really?”

“Believe me, come with me”

Part 3 & 4 Coming Soon. Keep Reading, Stay Tuned!