A JOURNEY THAT CHANGED DESTINY - II (CLIMAX)

Those who have not read the previous post, kindly read it first. 

After the incident I was scared but tried to put a brave face. Having true friends always helps. Gauging the situation and reading my mind they advised me to go back to Gafoorkka. Most of them in that coupe were tired and asleep. The man at the window seat was still sitting with same emotion. Which is absolute emotionless. Slowly I asked him few general queries. He answered with same lifeless face. When he told he is returning from Saudi, I asked him 'How many days leave you have?'. He dint reply, instead he broke down in tears. I din't know what to tell. So I just kept quite. (Which I should have done at S-8 and also now with this person)

It was difficult to get him speak. He looked extremely weak. He might be returning with some major illness but I just asked if he is returning for some emergency? He just shook his head to indicate a 'No'. There was that killing silence again for a long time. I too was slowly falling asleep.
'Arinjitu ningalku prethyekich karyam onnum undaavilla, pakshe aarodelum ellam onnu paranjaal enik ee veerpumuttu lesam kurayum'
(It's of no use to you, but it may help lighten my suffocation if I share it with someone)
That brought me out of sleep. But I din't even shake my head in agreement. But he had already started the narration. Looking out of the window he told me everything that happened. Not even once through the entire narration did he look at me. But I listened to each and every word that came out of him with attention.

He was in Saudi for last 7-8 years, working as a driver of some construction company. He was from a lower midle class family. First time when he returned he got married. Then he was back in Saudi for 3 years at a stretch. Working very hard and doing overtime also so that he earns some extra money. Which he send home regularly for the construction of a new house which is dream that drive an average Malayali. He was ready to take on all the suffering for his small family, now with a new member in.He had his house warming during that vacation.

On the last day of vacation his wife asked him a very valid question. Which any wife could have asked her husband staying away from home for the better part of their life.
'Why don't you look for some job here? We will be much happier together. I don't want to live rich, I want to live happy. I am ready to make any sacrifice for that'
These words made him determined to work harder for 2-3 more years more to make a decent saving to buy a vehicle and return to home land.

For the past several years one main extra source of his income was by human trafficking across the Saudi border. All the facilitation was done by some agents. His duty was just driving them across. But he was the one who took the most risk, hence equally well paid. He did this as a part time job. They had customized vehicles for this human trafficking, which had seats modified to accommodate a person inside the cushion. These cushion carved out to seat a person inside and then re stitched. Normal passengers were seated over that. Imagine how badly those people wanted to flee away to another country? How bad their life could have been? Hence he never thought he is doing something wrong. He always believed God would be happy about him, helping others escape their sufferings. Many a times on reaching the destination he had experienced them hugging him like they were hugging god who saved their life. He even had a feeling that all fortunes that happened to him like the arrival of two children, new house, a loving wife are all due to their blessings too.

That journey could have been something like this

He knew exactly which route to take, what time to reach each check posts how to move and at what speed etc. He normally did this in night. This time he had two passengers to be transported. He was very tired and don’t want to take up this trip. Agents tried some other drivers too,But couldn’t get one and offered him almost double the money for this particular trip. Thinking of his goal to buy taxi (Innova) and meeting his second kid for the first time, he accepted. Luck doesn’t favor him this time. Tiredness was taking its toll on him and he slept off for a moment. He realized only once his vehicle hit the check post bar and stopped. It was the last check post he had to cross. Police came rushing. Nobody was injured nor did the vehicle have any major damage. Thanks to the lower speed in which it hit.

Imagine the pain they take

Police checked for the documents. All were ok. He was allowed to resume the journey. Suddenly the police noticed a passenger slightly bleeding. Police asked him to take the first Aid kit. He don’t know the real location, hence police peeped his head in through the window. He saw fresh blood near the driver’s seat. That was it!!! They noticed the blood oozing out from the cushion and then….

He was sentenced to 6 months of rigorous imprisonment for trying to help two criminals escape the country, who were on police look out list. Those six months were the worst in his life. They had to work entire day with limited food. At night they were put in cells where four adult could manage to stay. They had forty of them filled in it. They had to pass the night standing and breathing at the other man's nose. After the term he was deported. He never saw the outside world again and didn’t have a chance to take home whatever saving he had accumulated. Wages for serving the term was just sufficient for the flight to Mumbai.

I could not utter a word. He kept on cursing his luck. 'God might not liked those criminals escaping, but why me? I never knew who they were! How could he turn duff to my prayers? Forget me.. My wife's prayers. What more sufferings has he left for me in this life? What next???

His sound almost faded away when he get to last part of his sentence. There are times when you feel utterly useless as a human being unable to even console a fellow being, I wanted to give him courage to face the world out there, wanted him to motivate him to think positive and all. But looking at his eyes unable to utter another word I sat there frozen in time along with him.

I always am a believer of following the heart when confused. But this particular experience made me realize that in the modern day, rules of each nation is of prime importance. Yes! Follow your heart always but have your brain too involved in decision making.

A JOURNEY THAT CHANGED DESTINY - I

This time it was for Vishu in April 2008. My friends Dilip, Rohan and I were traveling home from Panvel (Mumbai) to Kerala. This time also we had unconfirmed sleeper tickets. We had a single digit waiting number before 48 hours of chart preparation. In spite of Dilip’s advice to pay the agent some amount to get the ticket confirmed, Rohan insisted it will get confirmed. On those days we neither had IRCTC apps nor smart phones to check the PNR status while traveling. So we started from Ahmednagar to Panvel hoping that it would be confirmed before we catch the train. My ardent readers might be wondering if I have ever traveled with a confirmed ticket. Yes, I do most of the times. However, “Difficulties are opportunities to better things, they are stepping stones to greater experience” - Brian Adams (he is not yet in my friend list…)

Sometimes we experience this

The train was Jam-packed. Sleeper class compartment were like general one. All were hoping for a better Vishu and was ready to go through any eventualities to get home. As Malayalies, who ever got in first doesn’t want to share their fortune, closed most of the compartments from inside. So we had to run from pillar to post and finally squeezed in to ones which had an army battalion who seems to have got their freedom just yesterday. They were living in another world merry making with all possible avenues when poor fellow passengers struggle to get an inch. Still they showed the courtesy to keep the door open. Indian railways provide a special opportunity for anosmic persons. They can always get comfortable place near the great Indian railways toilet. To my horror there too the competition was high this time. But we had no choice but settle down with our bags and looking helplessly at each other. Dilip had that look to finish me and Rohan for our impractical optimism. I had a look at Rohan and his face had an expression which can’t even be replicated by Jagathi or Mohanlal.

Sleeper class was like this

Once the train started moving we looked at our options. There were no signs of Train God (TTE,yes he is for any second class traveler)and we were sure no TTE will be able to walk through this ocean of people to check tickets. No question of the easy option. We hoped “The grass will be greener on the other side and decided to send Rohan, who happened to have lived in half of Indian states at this small age to glance through the mini India to find a better place so that we can regain our smell senses before it is lost forever. He was so optimistic that he was ready to take his bag along with him for the expedition. We promised to join him once he found his paradise with his bag soon. He was back after a long time and his expression said it all. Another hour passed and with 10 opening and closing of the bathroom door, I had decided to venture out for another expedition as the place had a worse impact than Hiroshima. I was crawling through the makeshift space between fellow passengers, above the plains, below the mountains and swimming through rivers.

Finally in the third compartment I entered I saw “My Messiah”. I identified him; he was from my mother's village. But he doesn't know me neither did I know his name. I smiled at him like he is my best pal. He did have a confused smile and looked at people sitting next to confirm if I was smiling at him. 'Ingalu Pandakkal alle?' (Aren't from Pandakkal?) I asked, before he asked me something. Reply was yes and he knew me once I gave him a brief about myself. He turned out to be the best friend of my uncle. With already four in that seat one more can maximum squeeze in.

Me: Ikhede perendenum? (What is your name?)*

Gafoorkka: Gafoor. Alla inji edu compartmentilenum? (You sit in which compartment?)

Me: Allikka, ada oru presnam. Ticket confirm allappa. (That is the problem, don't have a confirmed ticket)

Gafoorkka: Athre ullu? Ippo sariyaakitharam. (Don't worry, I shall make arrangements)

He told and made arrangements for me to sit opposite to him. He made others to adjust for me, without him having to sacrifice an inch of his comfort.

Only when comfortable I did think of my poor friends struggling in Hiroshima. I explained the situation to Gafoorkka. Without a second thought he told that adjusting two will be difficult. (because this time he himself will have to adjust) I felt bad for my friends and texted them that I could manage a seat, but it won't be possible to adjust anyone else. Please take care of my bag. (Not sure if my worry was only about my bag and not about my friends). Two passengers (Ernakulam) in our coupe were on high spirits. They were very talkative about life in Gulf. It was for the first time I was getting a realistic image of life in gulf and life in the labor camps (remember it was before Arabikadha or Aadujeevitham). Another typical Achayan from kottayam too joined the chat with his adventures during his stint in Middle East.

It’s always interesting to involve with people in high spirits, they talk from their heart. They even asked me to join them for the drink, when I denied they were disappointed. They in fact told me not to worry about the quantity as they can refill at Madgaon station. When I refused again they stopped speaking to me. That is the power of spirit. It can create love and hatred in seconds.

Mr Kottayam  : Thaan entha kudikathille? (Don’t you drink at all?)

Me: Illa. (No)

Mr Kottayam : Ohh pinne! onnu poda uvve. Hmm oru kanakinu travel cheyyumbol kudikaathada nallathu. (I don't believe that, however it is good not to drink while traveling.)

I just smiled and asked 'Chetan entha kudikaathe?' (Why don't you drink?)

Mr Kottayam : Enna cheyyana uvve, ammachi marichechum povua. Kudichechum keri chellan okkathillallo!  (What to do? I am going for my mother's funeral)

Me: Ohh sorry. Pakshe entha ottaikku povunne? (Oops sorry, but why is family not accompanying?)

Mr Kottayam : Ee kazhinja weekend ingethyade ullu. Oru masam leave eduth Ammachik serious aarunnapol avalanu nokyadu. (We just returned last week. Wife had taken one month leave to take care of my mom when she was serious)

His wife was a military nurse and he was the home maker. From many gulf stories I heard that day one I still remember was his story which happened in late 80's. He was new to Saudi, working for a construction company as a civil engineer. He had accommodation arranged in an apartment. He could not make any real friends as he was a rare bachelor there. He spent time at a nearby tyre repairing shop run by Malayalies. One day an Arab (Kaatarabi) person fixed his tyre problem and left.  Mr Kottayam saw his dropped wallet on the ground few moments after he was gone. He told about that to the shop keeper, who advised him to ignore it. Shopkeeper also told it may invite some trouble. By that time a Philippine in a cycle had taken the wallet and vanished. Few minutes later the Arab returned inquiring about his wallet. Immediately Mr Kottayam explained what happened and the direction in which the Philippine headed. The Arabic thanked him and left. He was a proud happy man and teased the shopkeeper for expecting some trouble while helping someone out. In five minutes time the Arab returned with two police. They asked few questions and then Mr Kottayam was taken to police station. He was asked to find out the culprit with the help of a policeman. That day he and the police searched around and at night he was not even let to go to his apartment. He was left only next day morning when a senior manager that too since he had good influence in higher echelons after promising to turn up every day till the culprit is caught. His only crime was being the witness and born on the wrong part of the world.

They told me so many such incidents with lighter note. But I observed the lonely man at the window seat. Not interested in a single word of what we spoke. I saw tears rolling out of his eyes a couple of times. He was just sitting there always staring away. I knew he was just physically there. 'What is his problem?' I asked Gafoorkka by dump charades. To which the reply was 'God knows!' Later I received a text from Rohan 'We are moving to S-8(which was the one with army men). If you want your bag come and take it ...&%^$%^$£$%. So I had to go.

Me: Gafoorkka, apperam ulla changaayimaar vilikkunnund. Njan ponna. (Gafforkka, my friends are calling. I have to go)

Gafoorkka : Adellam inte ishtam. Aade enthenkilum presnaundel inji ingu pori. (As you wish. If you are not comfortable there, please feel free to comeback)

Alla pahaya, inji ee thekkarde bhashayellam engane padichoote? Enak Maratiyum Hindiyum vare thiriyum, ennaalum ivare malayalam thiriyoolappa!! (Oh how did you learn language of south? I can follow Marati or Hindi but not their Malayalam!)

Dilip has found a place near the army person as most of the other passengers escaped from there due to their high handedness. Particularly one guy (Let's call him Sumesh) was on high and backed with his friends causing a lot of trouble. He simply wanted to pick a fight. I do wonder how the alcohol makes different people behave in different ways based on different situations. The elderly one in other compartment rather than causing any issues was more accommodating to other passengers but here another group wanted to create havoc. Having had more than their capacity and causing trouble to everyone, they wanted more to quench their thirst. As the train reached “Madgaon”, a seller with Pepsi and Frooti came and asked them if they needed liquor. It was amazing how they recognized each other effortlessly. He sold two bottles.

Sumesh: We finish two bottles in 2 hours; we have 6 hours of journey left. So please bring at least two more bottles.

Seller: Fine, pay me now. I will get you.

Without a second thought they gave more money than he asked. 'We are actually paying thrice the amount for a bottle. What to do there is no canteen in train!’ They waited for sometime only to see the person who got money entering some far away compartment. Initially they shouted, thinking that he has mistaken the compartment. Only when the train started to move and the frooti-man got down and smiled at them with that close-up smile, they realized that they were fooled. Looking at their face I could not stop laughing.

Sumesh looking to pick a fight charged at me. His friends held him back and my friends had that sorry look and almost thought they had to take me back in pieces. Hearing the shout others in nearby coupe came enquiring, as usual sympathy had fallen on me being the weaker and lack of spirits. Having sensed the situation and growing support I started a moral lecture denouncing the acts of Sumesh and his friends. As arguments got heated up I painfully realized the people who supported were passive and don’t want to take a fight with the men in uniform. Most of them were now competing for Nobel Prize for peace and I too rose to the occasion and turned the tables hoping for a respectable exit.

This got under control, But Sumesh having lost the money to fruity-man was not ready to oblige and whispered to his friend he will teach me a lesson later.

---- To be continued.

Disclaimer: All characters in this story except me are just imaginary! ;)

PURNA EXPRESS - PUNE TO THALASSERY - 2007

It was the Onam season in 2007. I was in Pune. I had a sleeper ticket to Thalassery booked by an agent . My reservation was not confirmed. He however gave me a number to be contacted. He assured me of some jugad (adjustment). The first thing I did after reaching Pune from Ahmednagar was to call that person. He told he was working it out with the ticket examiner (TT as they are called) and will text me the seat details once it's confirmed. He also told me that I will have to give an additional Rs100/- which was not mentioned by my agent. Before I could tell him anything, he disconnected the call. He din't sound convincing but I had made up my mind to travel, come what may! I din't want to miss the Onam and a relative's wedding.

After dinner I reached the station. My train was already stationed. But there was no light.   So I got busy calling home and friends to update the status.  I received a text message, "S9-48". Woh! It was a pleasant surprise. I rushed to S9. It was absolute darkness. With the help of mobile I found seat number 48. While I was trying to push my luggage under the seat, a man tripped om my bag and fell flat behind me.I heard a female screaming. I turned my mobile. In the screen light ,I saw a frightened red face.

Thus a few strong torch lights reached us. It was the Railway police. They started kicking and beating up the man who was down. Only then I noticed the handcuff. I was shit scared of the scene. But when one policeman thanked me, I found it difficult to control my laughter. I pretended to be more concerned about the poor girl who was witness to all this. I acted very courageous in front of her, I even felt like doing something to impress her like they do in Bollywood movies. By the time all these thoughts were crossing my mind that hunk of a man was dragged out of the compartment by the police.

Once the scene eased I asked the girl 'Pedichu poyo?' (were you scared?).  From her curly oily hair and the way she was dressed I just concluded that she was a Malayali Manka (Kerala beauty) . She just smiled and then asked me 'onnum pateelallo?' (are you ok?). She too thought that the guy hit me and fell. Well I dint clarify either! I was like, these things keeps happening to me on a daily basis.
Then the light came.
Me: Where are you going?
She: Vadakara
Me: I don't think this train stops there.
She: Yes I know, we will get down at Thalassery.
Before I could wonder who 'WE?', Her parents walked in.
Just by the look I understood that he is an Army man. I tried to smile at him, he went as if he dint notice that. Her mother gave a smile and then all of them settled down. She was at the window seat, mother next to her and father at the end near my seat.

Once settled, her mother asked 'Did you call Bayya, Shruthi'. Thanks to her mom. I got it. "Shruthi". Then there started the marathon phone calls, informing everyone about their journey. Then I saw the ticket inspector from far and went up to him. On giving him 100/- he asked for more, as it was Onam season and tickets were on huge demand. I told that I already paid extra to the agent. He wasn't so happy, but wrote the seat number in my ticket and asked me to settled down. By the time I returned, another person was sitting in the seat opposite to me. Her coupe was filled by another family (a lady and two sons). Both looked younger to me.

Just as the train started moving, the inspector came with another man aged around 40. Ticket Inspector asked me to adjust my berth with him.
Me : I have a ticket, then why should I be adjusting? (Those days I could understand Hindi but could not speak well)
TT : If you want to at least sit down, better do it. Or else I know what to do.
Seeing all these, Sruthi's dad : What is the problem?
TT : People come inside with out any confirmed tickets, still I try to help them thinking that they are only my kid's age. Now you see when I try to help somebody else they try to teach me rules. (I was sure that he was helping him as he paid more)
He then just walked away. Her father gave me a disgusted look.

By this time that person had settled down. He requested the gentleman opposite to my seat to move to his berth. He then sat opposite to my seat smiled at me and asked 'Tu kuthe jato ahes?'. I acted deaf and murmured 'Engotaayalum thanikentha?' by looking elsewhere. He again smiled at me and told 'Jeevithamthil ide ide ithupole adjustment oke zeyyendivarum'. This time I was PLING!!! 
Then I saw that Sruthi was noticing all these and was finding it hard to control her laugh.

Soon we became friendly. He was going to Kochi for some business purpose. He even offered a portion of his packed dinner, which I gracefully rejected. By the time he finished his dinner everyone were in their berths almost asleep.
Businessman: Its not wise to sit the whole night. Lets adjust and sleep. We can sleep crisscross, you be near the window. Or you may fall down. (I too felt that would be appropriate, as he was double my width)
Me : Ok
Businessman : I may snore tonight, please do not mind. If it is too much just disturb my sleep, please do not hesitate.

After about 40 minutes when I was getting some good sleep the snoring started. I just gave a slight push, which gave a relief for about 5 minutes. This repeated a couple of more times. Then those pushes were insufficient. I thought I could manage to ignore that and catch some sleep. It was just my over confidence. Then I unsuccessfully  tried waking him up. Finally when I realized that I was destined not to sleep that day, I tried sitting down. That itself was a tough task, getting out of the trap. When I made my way out, he was disturbed. But the snoring continued even louder. Then after all the struggle when I sat down, I noticed there was one more engine which made much more noise, Sruthi's dad. When I looked up there, there was one more soul in the middle berth who could not catch any sleep. She looked at me gave a smile and turned to other side. I dint know what to do that whole night. I wished I could play game in mobile but dint want to drain its battery. I felt like talking to someone or at least read something. I knew Sruthi was awake but never again she gave a look. But sadly I dint have the courage to initiate a chat at that time of the night, hence it became one of the longest night in my life!

Before sunrise we reached Solapure. But train never started from there. After about one hour of halt, Shruthi turned to me and asked the reason for the delay.I was waiting for this chance.I should find out I decided.  I got down and saw a group of people discussing something. When I inquired, they told that due to heavy rain some areas are flooded and rail is disrupted at some places ahead. We were asked to wait till everything is cleared. As I informed her about the delay her mother woke up with a worried face asking 'any idea about how long will it take?'. Which made me get down and roam around to try and collect some more information. No body had any clue though.

I returned to see her in daylight for the very first time . First and the most attractive thing I noticed was her eyes. She had bright brownish eyes and a very cute smile. Everyone except the businessman and the person on the top of my berth has woken up. Her dad was not seen in the coupe. The other lady asked me to sit in their seat along with her sons. She asked my whereabouts and also introduced herself and her kids. She was from Srilanka married to a person from Mangalore. Elder son was in 1st year of Engineering and younger one a +1 student. Then Sruthi's dad came back fully freshened up (even shaving) typical of a soldier.

Srilankan lady was such a jovial person full of energy. She was more like an elder sister to her kids. I asked her many questions about her country. I told her about my understanding that my cast has origins from Ceylon (today's Srilanka). Obviously was interested in knowing her love story. When asked she happily shared the experience, how they met during a train journey. It was her first train journey in India and how he helped her out in many ways during the journey. It was unbelievable that in 1985 he had the courage to propose her by the end of the journey! When she concluded her story I looked at Shruthi, who was a bit shy and passed a flashy look at me with the corner of her eye. (or was it just my imagination?)

Once I made calls home and informed about the delay, nature's call have started too. But I was determined not to use the toilets in a parked train nor had the courage to get down and use the waiting rooms in the station. Luckily before any damage was caused the train started to move. But then I realized that I dint manage the time at the station to have my break fast. Both the families had packed home food for breakfast. The Srilankan lady even offered me some sandwich, which I turned down by saying I had breakfast from Solapur station. Train was going at a slower speed than normal. It was very boring and I have finished couple of magazines which I had. Srilankan Lady started some embroidery work her kids dived deep into some books, Sruthi's dad slept in his berth her mother asked everything about me. She knew my mothers place and told me that she may be knowing my mother as well. Once Sruthi finished her magazine she asked me if we could exchange. I was not a big fan of those Malayalam women's magazines but for her I could give anything that time. Hence I gave my Filmfare. By then the sleepless night was taking its tall on me. Her mother advised me to sleep in the top berth, when she saw me yawning. I tried to sleep. But the hunger dint let me sleep.

At around 12 noon the train halted again. This time it was not in any station. The wait was getting long. Everyone started having their lunch. Smell of food specially that of chicken roll from the Srilankan family was killing! I just dint want to look down but could not resist. That lady was preparing chicken rolls. Once done she asked me to wash my hands and come. She dint even ask me if I wanted some. Even her kids invited me to join them. She offered me first when we arrived after washing our hands. I must say ''It was the best chicken roll I have ever had in my life''. Even now when I say this I mean it. Off course the hunger could have had an effect but I guess it was the motherly affection with which she prepared and gave me the roll which had the maximum influence in the taste. From then on I try to add that bit of affection to what ever I cook.

I noticed one thing during the journey so far that Shruthi was very active and talkative when ever her dad was out of the coupe or asleep and quite when he was around. How ever I dint like her being so friendly with the other two boys. They spoke in Marati. But I felt she was more interested in talking to me. (It may just be my feeling or just that I had more magazines with me) After a halt of more than 2 hours we resumed our journey. But the train was moving really slow. We were all anxiously waiting for the waterfall once we crossed Dudhsagar station. I was waiting with my new Motorazr to capture the waterfall. It was so intense that we literally crossed through the water. We dint have any time to shut the windows once we reached the bridge. Entire compartment had become wet.She and the younger boy were at the window seat and hence drenched in water. I could not stop laughing. Then they all started laughing at me. To my horror, I noticed a WET new Motorazr,

                                          Dudhsagar waterfalls

To see a video of Dhudsagar :   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bj1eVHttgE

Finally the train reached Thalassery 12 hours late. We (me and Sruthi's family),  got down at Thalassery. While we were in train,we had exchanged books several times. Each time I felt I should write my mobile number in her book. The thought of her dad kicking me out of the train prevented me from doing so. I was also stupid enough to expect her to write her number in my book, each time I gave her. Today when I think back, I wish I could capture that funniest moment when the water splashed on all of us. It would made this blog more interesting with that pic.

Each time I pass Dudhsagar, those funny images (which I missed to capture) flash through my mind. I have always searched for those brown eyes there and those curly hairs ...

Disclaimer: All characters in this story except me are just imaginary! ;)