Wednesday 26 March 2014

A serene train ride

This evening after many years, I travelled in the route that used to be frequented by me. A corner window seat that was opposite to the direction of the train's journey was waiting for me and I could not be more happier. Feeling the gentle breeze on my face, I resolved to 'just' feel the present moment without resorting to sappy memories of erstwhile train rides. I did succeed albeit for three stops and almost by reflex the breeze whispered about the happy and not-so-happy moments spent in the train.

Sometimes you have so many fond memories that you literally feel them jostling with one another while one smart Charlie tumbles off and takes you on a tangent. I wonder which one it is: The train rides that patched up quarrels over long phone calls or the rides where a nagging junior would want to gossip about teachers and I would want to close my eyes to honour the lazy lull of the languid weather coupled with the slow motion of the train or the dreams of carving a teaching career while doing research or trying to rush to the one empty spot of the compartment before anyone even spots it or getting lost in the smell of food that wafts across the compartment or just trying to inhale the smell of the jasmine that a flower-seller hawks.

I smile and wonder how I cherish those moments but don't miss them. I don't even yearn for them and realise that they were wonderful no doubt, but belonged to a time then. I did fondly inhale the mixed smells of flowers, food and faint perfume and got down with a smile when the train reached my stop. I stood and watched till the train disappeared and knew that it will be a long time before I get to ride in a train again.

Readers, how long since you travelled in a train?

12 comments:

  1. Just now git down from train!!!! :D

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  2. Quite a while. Nice recollections Susan

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  3. This line particularly stands out for me *I smile and wonder how I cherish those moments but don't miss them. I don't even yearn for them and realise that they were wonderful no doubt, but belonged to a time then. *.. we should all realize this :)

    Frankly i traveled by train a long time ago... reading your post makes me want to do it again ..

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  4. Oh Susan the second paragraph is written exactly how it should have been - your memories 'jostling' in your head, on the paper, and in our minds too. Unique style of writing you enjoy. I must have said that before. :)

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  5. Yes, I love to travel by train especially when there is a rain outside :)

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    Replies
    1. Hey, long time. How have you been? Glad that you stopped by.

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  6. Seeta said for me...cherish but don't miss. Now THOSE are words of enlightenment.
    How SO many anxieties might be avoided

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  7. Very well written!!! Have sweet memories!!!!

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