The Special Train

The train is at 9 AM. Sharp. I have ample time. It hardly takes 10 minutes from here to the station. Getting ready, taking the packed bags and fetching a cab, everything can be done in less than an hour. 

I took the special train brochure and went through the colourful pictures. This one is really special. Unlike other trains, it has extra cushioned seats and super clean interiors. Food was not reviewed as something special. But I am a fan of aesthetic beauty and this train is all about it. I had heard about two other trains with a bit better rating in food with almost the same interiors. The timing of that train also matches my travel plans, but there is something in this special train which pulls me to it. I smiled and thought about the cosmic connection theory that I had read recently.

I ran my palm over the colourful brochure once again with a smile imagining my wonderful journey in it. I slowly lifted my bag and started to the station.

Reaching the station at 8:45 was not a tough task as I had started early enough. The entire place was really crowded. I somehow made my way and I went near the display board. The special train number was not seen on that board. Many other trains to the same place was displayed though. One at 9 :15, another at 10 and the one I had seen with a good food rating at 11. But my special train is not listed.

I went to the counter and asked about it at the enquiry counter telling the train number. 

The clerk replied with a disinterested face "Which special train...? Oh... the one with torn seats...? That train is not predictable. It should reach Platform 1 or 8 at about 9 past"

I was a bit surprised. How can I wait on two platforms at the same time? and.....why did he say torn seats????

That is when I heard a train whistle. It was from platform 1. I rushed to the platform and there was one train. But it didn't look anything special and I glanced inside, locating the torn seats. I frantically searched for the train number which was almost blurred. Is this my special train..? I looked at the watch and it was 8:55 AM. 

The ticket examiner was getting down from a compartment and I quickly went to him and showed my ticket asking if this is the special train.

He checked the ticket and said "This train is different. It should be on platform 8"

He looked at me and added as a caution "But your ticket is valid in this train also, I suggest you board this one. Very less chance of you reaching platform 8 in 5 minutes in this rush"

I looked at his rugged coat and the torn seats of the train. I quickly mumbled the words thank you and rushed to platform 8.

When pushing through the crowd and making my way hurriedly, I was wondering what went wrong in my planning and execution. I had thought that I had enough time in hand. But here I am rushing to make it, holding my breath. Making it to the 8th platform within 5 minutes was indeed impossible. I realised it almost midway when I was passing the exit to platform 5 and  I still had to clear 3 more platforms. As I was rushing down the stairs of platform 8, I could catch a glimpse of my special train. It looked ordinary but it had a crimson paint in it which looked good. But the important point was that it was moving. Yes it was 9:05 and the train had started to leave the station. The stairway was crowded and I was cutting through it and moving in a disappointing pace. Finally by the time I reached the platform, all I could see clearly was a beautiful X symbol in bright yellow color displayed at the back of the last cabin of my special train which had left the platform.

Waves of disappointment started to creep through my legs up to my head. But even in that crowded platform there was a slight fragrance which possibly could have been left by that special train. I remembered the lines in the brochure "Special fragranced luxury coaches bringing an exotic feel to your journey".

I felt like throwing my baggage away and screaming. But that is when my extra steel resolve kicked in. I am a go-getter and I don't quit.

I moved to a corner, took out the brochure and checked the train schedule. My heart raced as I double checked the schedule. Yes, this train completes it one round of travel and pass through the same station at 6 PM in the evening. I got a sly smile on my face. A smile of determination and stubbornness. By then, I had made up my mind. If I am traveling, I will travel only in this special train. 

I had no rush now. I slowly walked back to the exit. All I had to do was to go back to my house. Have a peaceful wait period of a few hours and come back well in advance and execute my steel will of traveling in the special train.

I was wondering with a smile about that fragrance in platform 8. What kind of train leaves a fragrance. As I walked past the crowd slowly thinking about it, I reached platform 1. The earlier train had left probably at 9: 15. And in its place, one aesthetic looking train was heading to platform 1. As I walked through the over bridge I looked at the train and it had perfect looking interiors and yes, through one corner I could see the extra cushioned seats.

I walked close to the platform side and unknowingly I was inhaling a bit deeper. Am I getting that fragrance? No...nothing of that sort. But there was some kind of an aroma starting to spread. Oh...this one is the train with a good food review.  But my hand was firmly clutching on the  brochure of the special train as I walked out of the exit. 

The rest of the day was relaxing at my home as I munched some snacks and mindlessly browsed through some movies.

At 4:30 itself I got ready and started to the station. By 5 I was at the station. I was about to look at the display board and then I remembered the words of the clerk at inquiry.

I smiled as I thought, now I know pretty much all about this special train. I cleverly got on the stairway and stood near the exit of platform 5. Intermittently looking at the watch, I was cautiously waiting for the sight of that crimson coloured train. It can come at platform 1 or platform 8. Seeing it from here gives me enough time to reach whichever platform it comes to. I felt a bit good about my cheeky determination and planning as I was trying to recollect that special fragrance I had at platform 8 in the morning.

It was hardly past 5:45 that I heard that announcement which said something like the special train scheduled to be reaching platform 1 at 6 PM is canceled. My heart stopped beating for a flash of a second and then the announcement was played again. I clearly heard that word this time Canceled.

I felt a bit alone in the midst of that huge crowd. The events of the entire day flashed through my mind. Some colours, torn seats, cushioned seats, fragrance, aroma, wasted time waiting, determination, disappointment and so on.

My walk to the enquiry counter was kind of mechanical. I showed that ticket and asked about the next train to my destination. The clerk had changed. This guy seemed a bit pleasant, but how much buttering can he do to bad news? He said with a polite smile "Sir, there are no more trains to this destination for today"

He added in a positive note "But your first train for tomorrow is at 6 AM. And since you have already paid, you can use this same ticket"

Something in my mind wanted to ask "Is it the special train?" Then I realised, "no no it should be at 9...! But Should I.....?"

He interrupted my thoughts and asked with a bright face "That train has a very good kitchen sir....if you want I can book your meals right away for the entire journey..!"

As I blankly stared at him, he had no idea what was running in my mind.

Note:

Don't waste time on your special train in 2022. Live mindful and let go of the missed trains.

If you find this story connected to any of your lost opportunities, love or wishes. It is not actually coincidence. It is because you have not yet let it go. :)