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...