Nomad Scholar

If you haven't read the previous parts, here are the links: Part I: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-i.html Part II: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-ii.html Part III: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-iii.html   It was 3 am. Shreya couldn't sleep. Her head was swirling with thoughts the implications of which she couldn't perceive. She got up and arched her back. Switching on the night lamp, she walked to the sea facing balcony. She checked her phone and found a text. "Still up, ma'am?" "Yes, cabbie. Up for a call?" After a minute... "How long will you call me that? Gimme a minute." A few minutes later, Shreya was on call. "I'm not feeling well, cabbie. Any suggestions?" "Hmm....lemme think. Tell me about that day at the hotel." "The day Srikant hugged me for the first time?", asked Shreya with a smil...

  If you haven't read the previous parts, here are the links: Part I- https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-i.html Part II- https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-ii.html It was 8 in the morning. Madgaon station was bustling with people. There were hawkers selling local snacks. Choris Pao was the bestseller. Shreya trod slowly with her luggage to the waiting room and took a seat. She promised to herself that she won't carry so many cosmetics next time she goes somewhere. A person walked up to her and said something in Konkani. She looked up to him and pretended to be deaf and mute. Soon enough, he lost interest and walked away. Shreya thought to herself, "Should've treated Srikant that way. I was naive enough to think that I would become friends with a stranger on train!" She pulled out her phone and opted for cab service from her hotel in Tiswadi. 10 odd minutes later, she received a call. It was the cab driv...

  If you haven't read the first part, here's the link: https://nomadscholastic.blogspot.com/2021/06/a-train-story-part-i.html The train leisurely trotted through the tunnel. The majestic beast rumbled as the wheels turned on the time-tested tracks. Shreya was listening to that carefully curated playlist oblivious to her surroundings. Soon, the train whistled sharply the echo of which ran through the tunnel. Srikant pulled the earphone out of Shreya's ear. "Ouch! What was that for?" "Sorry! We're coming to the end of the tunnel. First timers have to see this." "But I said-" "I can tell a first timer when I see one. Now, shh!" Shreya couldn't resist smiling when she saw this child-like excitement in Srikant. As the train emerged out of the tunnel, it took some time for Shreya's eyes to adjust to the light. There was lush greenery all around. The train was moving along a ridge overlooking a green valley. Through the...

  It was a nearly empty train compartment. She sat by the window fiddling with a Rubik's Cube. Outside, it was getting dark. The farms and small huts raced past. The slight drizzle accompanied by the clickety-clack of the wheels created a wonderful symphony, but she couldn't seem to enjoy any of it. It all faded into her mother's voice saying, " इतनी दूर अकेले नहीं भेजना चाहिए। बच्ची है। " (We shouldn't send her this far alone. She's still a child.)       She started to realize what her mother meant. All of a sudden, she felt all eyes on her. The society had instilled a fear so deep in her that all the rationalism in the world couldn't make her feel safe now. She looked around. On finding no friendly face, she winced a little and continued looking out of the window cluelessly.       She knew that the Berdewadi Tunnel was coming up. The train had slowed down to a graceful trot. Before setting out, she was most excited about this...

  Found our first memoir. The first day we met, I was hesitant, And asked with a gentle tap "Can you spare a pen?" You smiled; Browsed through your bag, And handed me a pen; A black Flair with a golden cap. Just a couple strangers; Just a soul who happened to cross by. We wrote the exam together; Me seated behind you. Exchanging answers, Almost got caught once Smiling at some silly answer you gave. The final bell went off; Never before did I want an exam to last longer. "Here's your pen." You handed it back to me, "Until next time, partner." Today I still have the pen But there won't be a next time. This poem is about someone whom I lost recently. Keep making good memories because you never know which might be the last one. Peace out, friends.

  A voice never heard; Yet I can recognize. A verse never written; Yet I feel otherwise. A sight never seen; Yet clearer than ever. A scent never perceived; Yet it doesn't waiver. All this time I had been blind- Numbed by the material world. All this time I never found a home. The light I was seeking Had always been in me. The faith I thought was lost Was hiding in me. The one I was looking for Had been me all along. Today I'm grateful To all who helped; To all who let me down. You've made me what I am.

  Sleeping on an empty stomach, Eviction notice; Waking with a sore back, Not knowing what the reason is. Dragging myself to work, Putting on a happy face; Living where the shadows lurk, The world is a haze. Vague were the promises Of joy and prosperity. Vague were the wise words Of abundance and fertility. Predictions of growth, Promises of development; All lies... I'm done with the manipulation; Done with the campaigns; Done with your sick tactics Once and for all. No matter how you roll the dice, I know One day we'll rise. You divide us; General, SC, ST, OBC. That day We'll write our own odyssey. We'll shout from the Himalayas; The oceans will rumble. The world will know us For the great nation we are. We'll be the resistance And you can do nothing about it.

No melody, No verse, No piece of prose Does justice to your beauty. Like the first sun After a storm; Like the first giggle Of a newborn; Like the first green bud After fall; Like the ecstasy Of an infant Learning to crawl; Like the first gift For a couple newly wed; Like blooming immortelle In the laps of the dead; Like a nightingale Singing for his love; Like an innocent kid Feeding a dove; Like a poet Finding his muse; Like a mother Tending to her child's bruise; You're heaven's mouthpiece, Aphrodite incarnate. Your presence is a blessing; Without you, I can't see straight.