“The train arriving on platform no.2 is a fast local for Churchgate, this local will not halt at any station between Borivali to Andheri, Andheri … Mumbai central”, I am late again. I missed my 7.14 F, Churchgate and this one is 7.28F.Another late mark and my day’s salary cut. All my day’s work in vain. Useless! System and Life! I hate it. 95 minutes of a single journey, Virar-Churchgate, a battle of life and death! So in one day double the time for a return journey, that makes it 190 minutes a day. For a month, 30 minus the 4 Sundays, that is 26 right?
190 x 26 = 4940minutes, and 4940/60 = 82approx. hrs. In this second class local train??? Atrocities of a love marriage? Hmm ... may be the price of all the hurt I caused them and left them to be with him. He’s changed so much after marriage, he doesn’t even give time to Riya, she is so small, she needs him… “Platform no.2 par aayi hui local…” I have to get ready, in position, I want a seat. I am too tired, emotionally.
Dhud, dhud…dhap dhap..dhud…dhap…Hush! Finally I managed to get a window seat. Of course after all the efforts I at least deserve clean air to breathe or rather some space to breathe, space in life!
When I sometimes think about the spirit of Mumbai that the media so often boasts of, I wonder if it is really the spirit of Mumbai that keeps it going or the fact that Mumbaikars are left with no choice to win their bread.
“Ha…even you late today?”
“Yes, slept late yesterday”, I answered.
That was Mrs. Katkade; she works at the Mantralay, my regular train friend. I lied to her. Actually we had a fight in the morning, me and shankar, its become kind of regular now. I donot know what‘s on with him these days? He’s occupied with something….forget it I think it’s my fault .I will surprise him today evening, a romantic evening …or is it someone else? He …and …? I am not beautiful anymore but he always said “U LOOK GORGEOUS “
“Hello, yes Sir,the meeting? I’ll arrange for it.”, my boss, he called up. Nice person, he cares more ! He always asks, why don’t I shift to a convenient place in Borivali?
'Virar trains are a nightmare’, He’ll say and I just laugh it off. I wish Shankar was concerned. He is not … I love Riya and I love him too.
“Ok bye Mrs. Katkade see u I the evening.”
As I walk across the lanes in Churchgate to reach my office ,where I work as a P.A, and I earn 8000 /- a month, after the difficult ‘Virar nightmare’ pretty good for me Shankar’s business is nowhere and he …..? Huh….Got a very busy day today and his surprise too!
“Good morning Sir”.
“Good Morning, Shweta you look tired these days, I told you Virar Trains…”
“…a nightmare? Forget that sir, it’s not gonna change. And the meeting at the 10 a.m is fixed; I think we should move immediately.”
I sit into his car ,‘a big car’, I call it , as he waits for me to get into the front seat, he patiently shuts the door and very calmly sits in the drivers seat. He must be in his mid thirties. He’s dressed in a nice formal Peter England, navy blue shirt, I just loved it and those shiny black trousers, he looks really decent and hats off to him for the distance he maintains between us…that shows he respects me …I just love it. Well he’s not married...but he’s just my boss. I love Shankar….but, we are friends, good and close. Shankar doesn’t know, he’ll kill me. I have to report everything. When, where and how I breathed air, which toilet paper I used. I hate it.
“What are you saying Sir, so I can go home early? Thanks a lot; I was planning for a surprise evening with Shankar today. You made it easier. Thanks.”
“Bye, dear, take care, go safe, Virar trains….”
“I know ….” We laughed heartily.”
“Bye. Thanks again.”
I am so happy, I am going home early today, I am so relaxed, its just 2 p.m the trains wont be crowded, I get to sit, window seat again and that gives me a lot of time to plan my candle- lit evening. Shankar will be home by 8.He had said he had to attend some important client. And Riya, I will pick her up from creche and her drop her to mummyji and daddyji’s place. I can pick her up in the morning tomorrow. Daddyji wanted Riya to be with them for a day, I’ll tell them. So my evening bonding session is fixed.
I am into a 2:36 Fast Virar local. The frequency of a fast is low during these hours, but I am the lucky one or is it Maktub-everything is planned by Him, as the alchemist quotes? Great !for once things are going to be better between us. He will be so happy. I will wear my black evening gown with a deep neckline and he will love me again. He will say ‘YOU LOOK GORGEOUS.’ Soft music, a close dance, I am just waiting to be with him. Yes but for now I should get back to my daily work. I need to clean to these vegetables before I reach home. Yes all of us prepare for our daily chores while we are back home in the train, irrespective of whether we are tired or dead, you have your husband, kids and in-laws to be fed at home, ON TIME .It’s disturbing for their health, you see, if they have it a little late. No wonder marriage comes in a package.
I have reached, dropped Riya to mummyji’s place, we recently shifted so…just waiting to reach home to get started for Shankar’s surprise. My first date? Don’t ask .He was sooo cute then…I loved him for all that he was. I still love him…but he’s changed …our first time? Censored!
I checked my purse for my keys, and quickly opened the door. Shankar’s shoes ? He’s home? That‘s impossible. And I moved to my bedroom, the door was not locked, in fact slightly open.
“I love you….”
“I love you too. I love your eyes, your hair, your face, I love you darling.”
“Shut up, I know you to tell this to Shweta too?”
“Shweta ?She is going to be late today, she has a lot of work today, why would I call you otherwise? Believe me you are just beautiful.
It was my bed, my husband and it wasn’t me. The clothes lie on the floor, the two closer than ever, the thick bedsheet cover them, not fully though.
All of these, kept looking at me, laughing at my love ,my life ,my marriage, my struggle to make my marriage happy….
“‘YOU LOOK GORGEOUS’, like this.” He dug deeper into her.
I whispered, ”Shankar” and slowly walked back.
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