PART TWO

I

It all started with a social networking website. Jeff randomly sent a friend request to a girl named Anamika, along with a message. After some days, a reply came from Anamika’s side.

“Do, I know you?” asked anamika

“Yes, I am Jeff from your old school.” Jeff replied

[The Publisher started thinking. As if, he had heard that name earlier.]

Coincidently, there was a boy named Jeff, in her school with whom, she was not in touch from a long time.

With the passage of time, they started chatting for hours. She used to remind him about the old school days. But, he knew that his school memories were different from her. Because he never attended her school. After some days, both of them had become very good friends. In order to exchange their souls, exchanging the phone numbers was necessary. Both of them exchanged their phone numbers. Both started talking on phone. She was from Sanglon, a city in southern India. This city was a port city and a newly developed I/T hub. He wanted to tell her the truth about his real identity. He thought, he’ll tell her after some time.

Ten days later, he told the truth that, he was not the same Jeff. Even said:

“It’s your wish, whether you want to continue talking or not.” said Jeff

She switched her phone off and he did not call her. Because he knew, it was his fault.

After two days, her number started to blink on his cell phone’s screen. He wanted to pick up the phone, but thought not to pick this time. The very next day, she again called him, and, this time he picked the phone up.

“Hello!” he said

“I don’t talk to strangers.” she replied

But the time was the proof that, none of them was a stranger anymore. She had ignored everything, which had happened between both of them in the past. The process of knowing each other started, took almost one year, to discuss each and every atom of their lives-past, present and future, with each other.

Both of them became each other’s present. Soon, both felt that, from this present, a line should be drawn towards their future. Both decided to travel together on this line, holding each other.

Jeff was pursuing graduation at that time. As she was two years elder than him, so she was already working in a hospital. Although staying quite far away from each other, they used to talk on phone most of their day and night.

The attachment within three years, took the shape of love. Both started expelling each other’s dissimilarities. With the passage of time, became like-minded individuals. Both invested a lot of time in improving themselves, to gain perfection in their relationship.

After four years, he graduated from his University. One day, she told him:

“My parents would not agree for our relationship.” said Anamika

“Why?” asked Jeff

“Because we have not spent time together and moreover you don’t work.” she replied

So, after graduation, his life undertook a major change, which was going to change his and her life. He discussed everything with his parents and even told them about Anamika. Sanglon was in those days, a major IT-hub. As he was a Computer Engineer, so convincing his parents was not a daunting task. Anamika’s family had settled in this city a decade ago. After some days, his parents agreed.

On a bright summer day, Jeff left his home for Sanglon. Though, it was very difficult for him and his family, as he never stayed out of his hometown. Parting away from the family, made him understand, the value of his parents and their attachment with him. He looked at his mother, her eyes were wet, as if telling him to stay. He told his mother that, he’ll be back soon.

He reached the railway station along with his luggage. Boarded a train to Sanglon. He was travelling for the first time, continuously for fourty-eight hours. He was unable to get the ticket, as the summer time is the peak season for travellers. It is the period when all the schools and colleges declare vacation period for their students. But he managed to get a sleeper class ticket, his name was in the waiting list. He wanted to leave that day only. So, he was least concerned of getting a seat. It was an extreme hot weather, and travelling in that heat, without an air-conditioner was quite hard. He kept his luggage beneath someone else’s seat. Family sitting on that seat was very nice with him. They adjusted him and gave him a place to sit.

He looked out of the window and noticed the trees moving in the backward direction. Soon, he realised the trees were stable, but it was the train which had already started its journey.

[“Why have you paused?” asked the Publisher

“Go on.”

“What happened after that?” asked the Publisher

Jeff’s eyes are wet. He again started narrating the story.]

Jeff wanted to go back to his parents and at the same wanted to go to Sanglon. Her arms were waiting for him. He was in his thoughts, when someone touched him, and asked the reason of tears in his eyes. The person was the head of the family. While having a conversation with the family, he managed to balance his emotion.

Sun started to disappear and its place was taken by the moon, which was clearly visible from the window of the train. The train was passing through the darkness, passing through tunnels and bridges. The only lights which were outside the train, were of moon and stars up in the sky. He kept on looking outside the train. The air coming inside the train was floating his hair in front of his eyes. After sometime, he opened his bag and ate the food prepared by his mother. After eating his food, he fell asleep, as he was tired.

His dreams travelled much faster than the speed of the train. In the morning, God of light started falling on his face. Shortly, he came out of his dreams. Looked around, saw kids playing with each other. Kids reminded him about his childhood, which used to be free from every responsibility. But some chains are there in which a person really want to be tied with. His relationship with Anamika was that sort of chain. Phone vibrating in his pocket, brought him back to the present moment.

“Hello” said Jeff

“Where are you?” “I have been trying your phone from the past one day.” Anamika asked

He wanted to give her a surprise, so he said:

“I came to attend one of my relative’s marriage.”

Before he could speak more, she instantly asked:

“Are you in a train?” she asked, while hearing the noise made by rumbling of wheels of a train.

“I’ll talk to you later.” replied Jeff and he switched his phone off.

The stations were passing by, the only sound which he could hear, was the chugging of train. He peeped out of the window, gazing with a feeling of inquisitiveness, at the places which the train was covering. His eyes saw mountains, lakes, forests and desert areas. He was enjoying everything, which was coming in between him and Anamika. Sometimes, watching from inside is entirely different from, watching from outside. He remembered, in his childhood he used to watch trains, by standing close to the railway track. He used to be fascinated by the speed of this monster. The fastest thing in his childhood memories, used to be a train. Now, he was travelling in the same monster. His eyes were capturing each and everything, as if his eyes were a camera in which, everything was being recorded.

After sometime, again the darkness captured the train. His face was half out of the window. He looked at the engine, it was puffing out the black coloured smoke. As if, engine was the reason of the darkness outside the train. Engine took a turn. Three carriages behind the engine, had already took a turn. Now, the fourth carriage took a turn. He was waiting for his carriage to take a turn. When, the fifth carriage, took a turn. He was unable to see the engine, because his carriage was the fifth one and it came in the straight line behind the engine, after the turn.

Jeff felt someone is standing near him. He moved his sight in the opposite direction, and, saw a staff member of the kitchen.

“Would you like to have dinner?” asked the staff member.

“Yes indeed!” he replied, with a feeble effort to smile.

“Veg or Non-veg?” staff member asked again

“Veg.” replied Jeff

The staff member went towards the next seat and asked the same questions. Jeff again started peeping out of the window. Aroma of trees freshened up his mind, and, this fragrance turned his attention towards Anamika. His opened eyes were seeing Anamika’s face, with the sky as a background. Smile on her face gave light to the dark sky. His mind was thinking beyond his present. His mind had already given a surprise to her, and even had imagined her face, while getting a surprise.

“Your dinner, Sir.” said the staff member

“Thank you.” said Jeff

After having dinner, he found that the lights of the train had been switched off. So, it was the sleep time. While looking at the sky, he fell asleep.