"Oh my God, I'm going to miss the train", I was screaming.
"Be patient bro; we can make it on time. Relax, it’s me driving. Be cool, man!!" My Younger brother was very confident.
"Why can’t these people walk off the road? What are these foot paths made for? I don’t want to be in Kerala anymore. The whole system has to be changed. People should obey the rules; it’s for their own safety. Irresponsible creatures!!" I was burning with fury.
My brother let out a light laugh on this.
"If I miss the train, I'll take a bus. Somehow, I'll reach my college", I started looking for options.
"Why couldn’t you start a bit more early? You've created your problems, as usual. Start listening to Dad. He's seen the life", he said, blowing the horn on a kid who was riding a bicycle, just in front of us. Don’t know where he learned how to ride a bicycle.
Is he my elder brother? Of course, not. How dare he speak to me in such a harsh tone? But, above all, he's got something in what he said. He's right. I'm always lazy. I should change this don’t-care attitude.
"You concentrate on your driving", I couldn’t accept the defeat.
He became silent for a while. He seems to have got that I'm not happy on what he said. Or is he thinking, I'll never be better myself.
Yes, now I could see the tallest tower of the station having a huge clock on it. Its needles are still to travel quite far for the train to depart.
"Get off my bike. Don’t ask me to drop you again." He said, while removing his helmet.
I just ignored him. I've heard this, a lot many times.
"You are my elder brother. I respect you a lot. But, change your attitude man. Don’t get yourselves into more troubles. And don’t forget this time, to carry the photos of your dance, when you are back home. Have a safe journey, Big B!!!" He made me smile.
I felt good. I walked towards the station with my bag in my right hand, checking my Fasttrack on my left hand. I'm well before the time.
The train was there in the platform, as if it was waiting for me. The pantry boys were moving around, with the heavy kettles of tea and coffee in their hands.
I got into my compartment; it looked cozy, dusty and empty.
"Excuse me; that’s my seat..... Thanks", I told that middle aged man.
The person, who was sitting in my seat, took his suit case and left for the next compartment. I kept my bag on the rack and settled myself in my supposed-to-be seat. I kept the compartment door open, pulled open the windows and switched on the fans.
The train started moving after a while pushing back the scenes of platforms. The new frames consisted of small huts, people washing the clothes, kids bathing in the open air and the boys playing cricket, with a tennis ball.
It’s really boring here. Not a single girl in this compartment. I'll die, alone here. It’s been just two stations. I've got a lot to go. It’s better to go for a sleep. No; I can’t. I've never slept during the daytime in my whole life.
"Is this the 4th compartment?". A girl! I was woken up from my thoughts.
"Yes it is", I said.
"Thank god! I got into some other compartment. I was almost lost. Would you mind, if I close the windows? I want to have a nap; the sounds from outside wont allow me otherwise", she said in a bit commanding tone, and sat opposite to me.
"See, it’s really hot here. If we close the windows, we are going to die for sure", I said trying to change her mind.
"I don’t care; I'm going to shut the windows". She did so.
She took a bed sheet from her bag and covered the seat with it. She walked towards the door, closed it, came back and slept.
I couldn’t even say a word. Are all the girls like her? She should have considered me too; isn’t it? Or should I've not let her shut the windows? No, I'm not supposed to behave rude to a girl. There may be a few bad girls like her. It was better sitting alone.
What the hell is happening with me? What will I do now? It’s very boring. There are billions of people in this world, but none for me to speak to. I remembered my father saying ‘It doesn’t matter how much money you have, if you are not able to make use of it.’
I took a magazine from my bag and started going through the pictures of actresses. This was the fourth time I was reading that same book.
"What’s the time now?", she asked after a while.
"11.30am". I replied in an uninterested mood after a few moments, and turned my head back to the dimmed view outside, through the glass windows.
"I'm really sorry, I shut the windows. I was very tired. I missed the train from my station; and took a taxi and got into this train from the next station. Don’t feel bad about me. This half an hour sleep made me a bit energetic", she explained.
"It’s OK. Shall I open the shutters now?" I asked.
"Of course, yes. Go ahead". She was very polite in her words, and helped me opening them.
The fresh air rushed inside. It’s better now.
"Hi, I'm Geethu", she said and thrust her hand forward.
"I'm Lyvin, Lyvin Thomas", I replied while taking her hand.
She's trying to make a friendship. But, she's not the girl, I want to make my friend. Its better keep away from her.
But, why should I keep quiet? She's the only girl in this compartment for the time being. Something is better than nothing. I decided to go ahead.
"What are your interests?", I started a topic.
"Well, I don’t have any specific interests in my life. I like small children a lot. I know that’s not the answer you were expecting. Actually, I haven’t thought about it yet. I don’t know what my interests are". She was struggling.
"No worries; it was just a casual question". I tried to make her feel free.
"Thanks" She smiled. "What are your interests?" I expected this question from her.
"I've got a lot of interests in my life. If I see something interesting, I would try to learn more about it. Soon, I'll get interested into something else, and will go behind that. Now, I'm interested in dance", I finished with a smile.
"I had tried dancing too, years ago. But I don’t remember anything now", she said.
"Hi guys. Can we join you people?" The compartment door was forced open and three girls entered in.
"Why not; please have your seats." I was so happy!
"I'm Sajitha", the shortest of the girls said.
"I'm Pramila", the leanest girl said.
"And, I'm Jimsy, 'the great'", She was the tallest.
"Myself Lyvin, and this is my friend Geethu."
Sajitha sat besides me, and Jimsy and Pramila next to Geethu.
Jimsy is not bad. She's got some extra weight. But her eyes are very beautiful. I had always loved beautiful eyes. What about the other two? Never! They are not even in my lowest range.
“Can I have some water?”, asked Sajitha.
“I don’t have; may be we can buy a bottle from the next station”, I said.
“Here it is”, said Geethu passing her water bottle to Sajitha.
“You’ve got a nice pair of ear rings. It’s enormous, but good looking. They’re perfect matching for your face”, I told Jimsy.
"Thanks Lyvin", she replied.
“Could I borrow your magazine?”, Jimsy stretched her hands towards me.
“Why not, have it”, I gave it to her.
She smiled and blinked one of her eyes. It came to me as a lightning.
What’s happening? Does she have any feelings for me? Its better make it clear.
"Jimsy, would you like to come with me to the City Restaurant, tomorrow? I will call you". I pretended to be nervous in my words.
"Excuse me!!" She turned her face away from me.
So, she was trying to be smart. I've seen a lot of girls like you Jimsy. And, I can get a better girl than you.
"Pramila, look here. It’s awesome." Sajitha was inviting the other two for some scenic view through the window on the other side. When did she go there? I didn’t realize even.
Three of them went to the other window.
I won’t go. These are for girls and small kids. Even if I go, they will think that I'm behind one of them.
"Why did you say, I'm your friend?" Geethu spoke after a long time.
"No, I didn’t mean anything. I just said. That’s it. I'm sorry, if I said something wrong." I was running out of words.
She didn’t reply; instead got her eyes filled with tears. She turned towards her window.
I just said she's my friend. What’s the problem in it? Did I say 'girlfriend'? Oh my God! No, I said 'friend'. I'm sure.
"Geethu, are you coming here?", asked Sajitha.
Geethu didn’t reply, and continued looking far away through the window.
"Lyvin, it was a fantastic view. I've never seen such a beautiful place in my life", Sajitha explained, while three of them came back to their seats.
"Yes it is, for you girls. I've seen it before. It’s very beautiful", I nodded my head.
I'm traveling in this train for the first time. But she doesn’t know that. I was happy with myself.
"Excuse me; I'll be back in a moment". I went straight to the toilet.
Why did Geethu cried? She seems to be a typical character. Its better not to talk to her anymore. Why should I invite problems?
I finished my business and got out of the toilet, washed my face and headed back to my seat.
"What’s happening? Sajitha, leave her". That went like an order from me.
Sajitha was holding Geethu's neck and was forcing her to the window. I got in between them. By the time Jimsy and Pramila came to me. I pushed Sajitha towards them, and stood strong as if protecting Geethu from the three monsters.
"Sajitha, Pramila, come, lets go. I don’t want to stay here any more. Come. Fast. I'll see you later, Geethu". Jimsy threatened Geethu.
Two of them left immediately behind Jimsy.
"What happened?" I asked.
Geethu sat down. She took her time.
"They were making fun of you. Soon, the dialogues turned to take a foul route. I asked them to keep quiet. Then they started making comments on us. It was really bad. I lost my control. I stood up and asked them to leave at once. Sajitha got angry and caught me on my neck. And then, you came in between us. Thanks very much". Her eyes were filled again.
"But, you should have just ignored them. You shouldn’t have run into trouble. Why did you do that?" I asked.
"Lyvin, you look exactly like my brother". She surprised me.
"What do you mean?" I couldn’t believe my ears.
"Yes, yesterday was his 1st death anniversary. I was at my Dad's home yesterday and that’s why I was late and missed the train. I couldn’t sleep yesterday. I loved him so much. I was stunned today morning, when I saw you for the first time. You were in deep thought, so you might not have noticed it". She took a break.
I was totally confused. I couldnt say a word, as she continued.
"I was very pleased, when you allowed me to shut the windows. I'm damn sure, no one except you would have allowed me to do so. I knew from that very moment, you are a nice guy”. She completed.
"But”, I paused. “I was angry on you for that incident", I made things clear.
"Do you remember my eyes got wet, when I asked you about your comment that I'm your friend? I thought you have really become my friend, even if we don’t know each other, much. It was like getting my brother back. He was my best friend". She couldnt control her emotions.
I had no words. She's a nice girl. If she sees her brother in me, I should not restrict her from that. I got up from my seat and sat down besides her.
"Thanks Lyvin, thank you very much". Her expressions clearly gave me the feeling that she have found out something precious that she had lost a year ago.
I should change the topic and keep her cheerful. That’s the best thing, I can give her. I went back to my seat.
"You are very crazy about girls; aren’t you?" She asked with a smile, before I was to open my mouth.
"How can you say that?" I too smiled.
"I just felt like that. I don’t know, if I should say this to you. But I think, I would say". She looked at me for my permission.
"What’s the matter? You can say anything to me". I prompted her to go ahead.
"You are feeling only some kind of attraction towards girls. You might not have really loved a girl yet. You have to first understand her, make her your friend. If its real love, you will feel it at some point of time. That’s why it’s called 'falling in love'. You've got no control over it. It just happens. And, if she has the same feelings for you, you should proceed". She was like a 50 year old matured grandma.
I was totally taken aback. But, I decided to go further.
"Have you ever fallen in love?" I was curious.
"No, not yet". That was not the reply I expected from her.
"I'm getting down at the next station. Hope to see you again somewhere". She got up and took her bag.
I was shocked. She was the girl who could understand me a lot within this short span of time. She gave me a new vision on life. She's the best friend I've ever got. And I'm going to lose her soon. What a world, this is? I couldnt say a word.
"I'll miss you. You are a very nice guy". She completed as if she knew what I was thinking.
I could only watch her alight the train and walk away to nowhere.
