A Train Story (Part III)

 

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 driver.

"Olá, para onde?"

"What? You speak English?"

"Não consigo entender ingles"

"Oh, for fuck's sake! Tiswadi! I want to go to Tiswadi!"

"Tiswadi, eh? Entrar no carro. Estou esperando fora da estação"

By intuition, Shreya understood that the cab was waiting outside the station. After hanging up, she saw someone looking at her. It was the same man who tried to talk to her. She bit her tongue and hurried out. With much difficulty, she spotted her cab. She got in.

"Pin is 2458"

"Okay, ma'am. Here we go."

Shreya was taken aback.

"You can speak English?!"

"I try"

"So, what was this all about?", she asked in an angry tone.

"Just having a little fun. This job is boring as is."

"I'm not giving this guy a good rating", she murmured to herself.

"Oh, don't worry about it. I only need the money. Ratings won't matter."

"You shameless-"

"Cidade De Goa, I see...nice hotel that one."

"Thanks, but I didn't ask for your opinion."

"People don't appreciate chivalry nowadays. Anyways, I'll put on some music if that's okay."

"Hmm"

He took out his phone and put on a playlist.

"Kyun desh-bidesh phire maara

Kyun haal-behaal thaka haara

Kyun desh-bidesh phire maara

Tu raat-biraat ka banjara

O Nadan Parinde ghar aaja

Ghar aaja, ghar aaja, ghar aaja

Nadaan parinde ghar aaja

Sau dard badan pe phele hain

Har karam ke kapde mele hain"

Shreya kept looking out the window. She could taste the salt in the air. A couple more songs played till she realized something.

"Who gave you this playlist?"

The cabbie was too absorbed in the music to listen. Desperate to get an answer, Shreya paused the music.

"What?! Why would you do that?"

"Who gave you this playlist?"

"A cousin. It's that good?"

"Yes, but that's not the question! WHO GAVE YOU THIS PLAYLIST?"

"Jeez! Stop shouting in my car."

Eyes on the road, he hit the play button again.

"How dare you?! I'm talking to you here!"

"I told you it's a friend. What more do you want?"

"What is the name of this cousin?", she asked dramatically.

"Name's Tommy. Not another question, okay?"

"Oh, okay. Sorry for bothering you", she said as her face dropped.

She covered her face with her hands and started sobbing softly.

"Hey, everything okay back there?", asked the cabbie while lowering the volume.

"Keep driving", she said in a morose voice.

A few minutes later, he stopped the car.

"Are we in Tiswadi already?"

"No, we're not."

"Then, why did you stop? What is this place?", she asked clearly scared now.

"Don't worry. I just need to grab a drink."

"You will drink and drive? I'm cancelling the ride now!"

"I was talking about a coconut. Why do you have to be so judgy?"

"Just make it quick. This is the worst day ever."

He went out and returned with two coconuts. He offered one to Shreya.

"Complementary service", he smiled and said.

Shreya hesitated.

"I don't look that shady. When will you tourists stop being so skeptical?!"

Shreya still didn't flinch.

"Fine. Your loss"

He emptied both and got back in his seat. Before driving, he made sure to have his seatbelt on. After two long hours, Shreya finally reached the hotel.

The cab driver helped take her luggage to the lobby.

"Till we meet again, ma'am!"

"May I never see you again!", said Shreya as the cabbie walked away.

Shreya walked up to the reception.

"Excuse me, I have booked a room under the name of Shreya Dikshit."

"Yes, ma'am. Here are your keys."

Shreya looked up to take the keys from the desk and noticed the receptionist.

"What-"

"Mhm. Found your friendly face in the crowd?"

"What? How? I don't-"

Srikant hugged Shreya tightly and broke into tears.

"I missed you, Shreya. A lot."

Shreya had no idea what was happening but found comfort in his embrace and gave in.

"I thought I had lost you."

To be continued...