JAB THEY MET

As the magazine is set for release on 1 Apr, 1 rcct one of the most memorable 1 of the real-e nothing to do with all foor’s day, and not that anythkosh took place but this story is at hedule 1 reached love story that happened to witness. I was ring or tempus after visiting home. As ved my berth no 81-36 upper berth, in coach 81 anchored my gee and went to accomplish a practice to be friends railway station at time to board the 2125 Down Pune Herah Azad Hend Express Thuriy passengers, search criteria 18 to 25 On the doors of the couch, I was greeted by a 30+, a built guy whom / recognized to be the person on the side berth of my toe gave me a wry look suggesting news there with the ritual every time I travel my railways browsing the Fager Reservation Chart for same intentions and scored a victory which was eviden om the chart 837 285596415 458963214 had become a of my life it had

Thus the wait for the much-anticipated co-passenger to arrive began. Train departed from Pune station at the exact scheduled time. In our compartment door and couple was seeing off their parents, while two small children were bidding adieu to their father. They looked set for vacations in their grand-parents home and were repeatedly assured of their dad’s participation in the holidays within few days. Returning to my berth-place, I found our potential-to-be friend settling at her place she was a simple girt, dressed in a red pull-over and blue denims.

Her hairs were plated, her eyes blue, soft, perle, and benevolent. Gradually the train gained momentum and some co-passengers expressed pleasantries and introduced themselves. Shreya was glancing through the window as if capturing each and every frame of the picturesque stallion stud farms decorating the resplendent the outskirts of Pune city. Anup was busy checking his blackberry. At this juncture TTE came in and Anup produced his e-ticket and I-card. This aroused a certain curiosity in Shreya who asked in details about the online booking system.

Anup was happy to oblige as he got the opportunity to initiate a conversation. He also used this opportunity to formally introduce himself to her. He described in detalls about the whole procedure, all the security features. At the outset, I was also appalled at the knowledge he possessed. However, the over-enthusiasm with which Anup Went on made Shreya to resign to silence admitting an error of judgment. Nor did I know that this silence would be soon be broken and for-ever. “Hey Shreya, do you always travel like this?” Anup quipped Abruptly irritated she retorted, “What do you mean to say Mr. “Anup, I told told. Say you have options 1 and 2. Either we continue to travel muted, not speaking at all or we can engage in some nice talk and have a memorable journey?

“In that case I prefer option 1.1 “Great!! Had said the Option 1 later.”

Shreva was helpless at this bad PJ, but still managed a smile “What do you want to talk about, Anup “Friends, Hobbies, Life, Passion etc.” “Hmm. Impressive. You may start with your friends, and why not girl-friends rather?”

Anup was excited. “Sadly, have none.”

“Sad indeed. But you appear decently handsome.” Though puzzled at the strange use of adjective, he continued. “May be they weren’t decently beautiful.” Shreya gave a smile of applause. “Btw whats your idea of decently beautiful?” “Not much. Humorous, Confident, Convincing, in fact the list goes on… he he…”

With every single sentence their conversations were getting deeper and deeper and it now looked obvious that both of them were enjoying each other’s company. On one hand Shreya was finding his dry humor interesting. Anup was swayed by her style of appreciation. Azad Hind was cruising at its full speed, and next scheduled halt BhusawalJn was three hours away, most other passengers retired to sleep after dinner. In the next morning when I woke up, Shreya and Anup were in the middle of a discussion. Speculated that they were indulged in talking throughout the night.

“What do you do for leisure? Any hobbies” Theatre asking to AnupAnup lama how he was in playing the guitar at school but had to abandon eue to academic pressures On heenShreysrever interest in playing the flute, in fact she happened to be an accomplished flautist. Even she want a stage performance. Anup then insisted to see her nute and teach him some basics on gripping and playing t instrument. After some reluctance Shreya dug out the flute from her travel bag. As soon as she started showing Anup how to grip the flute we noticed something strange in her hands near the fingers Though nimble, they wer unusually swollen, red and looked degenerated Unable to abstain himselt, Anup enquired further immediately withdrew her hands as if she dreaded to face this question and tried to avoid any confrontation However, he won’t have any of it and finally Shreya had to give in.

. Her revelations brought an eerie bolence the coach. She narrated how from a tender age of nine years, she was very fond of flute. Her inspiration was th legendary Pt Pannalal Ghosh. She went to a music school where she was rebuked for being unable to grig the instrument properly, which she immaturely attributed to her small hands, she informed us. The strong infec of the legend and her firm resolve to play the organ, she did not get deterred and took an extreme step. She cut the webbings between the fingers of her hands anticipation then easily span the entire length of the flute and play it properly. We all were taken aback after learning about that the finger length will increase and she could such unparalleled determination ever heard. On the request of all fellow passengers Shreya then gave a short recital of few of her favorite compositions. Her performance mesmerized us and as Azad Hind paced unbelievably at 100 kmph, our travel felt smoother and smoother. Anup nevertheless, was not satiated and something had him still thinking.

“When is your next performance? Can be an audience for it.” The question returned Shreya to her discomfort zone. After three iterations from Anup she replied, “Why do you want to know?” “Fine, if you don’t want to tell. But why do you look so disturbed of a sudden?”

“Look Shreya I don’t have a magic charm to express my feelings, but I want to say that I have started liking you a ittle and for that reason it matters” Shreya was mitted at the word liking but probably she had also developed yome soft corner, if her narrative about the cutting her finger was amusing, what she divulged put the train to a sudden halt. It might be something more than a coincidence that we missed Bilaspur has arrived. Shreya was suffering from skin cancer, which doctors opine is caused due to the wound which was incurred in webbings of her fingers when they were cut. The non-healing chronic wounds developed into tumors. To manage this, she has to undergo skin grafting and some other immunological drugs.

As these medications make the body weak, doctors have strictly advised her to refrain from her Rewaaz. Thus she was afraid that she may not be able to perform any longer in the future. 81 coach had again entered another round of eerie silence, this time it was more frightening Seldom is it that in a train journey we get to rendezvous an artiste of highest calibre and a personality so determined in her pursuit. Anup was not much annoyed at this disclosure and it indicated as if he had already decided on his next course of action

“Why should that matter?”

I slept early for the superfast express was running on time Kharagpur was expected at one- o-clock. I woke up to alarm and gathered my belongings. I was surprised to see Shreya and Anup still lost in each other’s words. To pay my tribute to her passion, I leaned forward and complimented Shreya on the beautiful recital with which she had enthralled us. I said good bye to Anup, he had already learnt about SMST at IIT from me, and handed me his visiting card. I gratefully collected it and left as train had already stopped at the station. After alighting I to read the card

Dr.Anup Ghosh Assistant Professor of Dermatology

Stanford University School of Medicine. I turned back smiling at the future plans Anup might have already made as the train commenced its foray towards Howrah; knowing well for some the journey will extend beyond.

Dr.Pallab Datta

This short story and poem first appeared in "Avyakta" , the hall magazine of Acharya J C Bose Hall of Residence

IIT KHARAGPUR, Published in the year 2011 by the composer