As soon as I reached the platform guided by one of the peanuts vendor, I realized that the train was already stationed on a different platform. The idiotic expressions on my face contradicted the vendor's, who was enjoying his gimmicks with dumb passengers like me. I ran like an athlete who would've practised for years for Olympics; only to realize that the train was jam packed.

I tried to relocate my seat number on the ticket, but couldn't. I then figured out that a number printed in the corner of the ticket could be mine and approached a person who had already occupied the seat. I requested him to vacate the seat showing my ticket. He laughed away my ignorance, looked distantly and then showed his ticket for that reserved seat. I had not traveled by train for ages and had assumed that a ticket comes with a guaranteed seat. I prepared my mindset to remain standing until I get a place to seat. I realized later that I had to wait for over 2 hours to get the seat though.

I had my blackberry, hence I was able to spend some time navigating through my unread mails and torturing my team members. Later, I decided to spend time enjoying the journey. I love gazing through the trees, mountains, fields, ponds, birds etc when I travel by train. I then realized that I was not able to complete the conversation with my wife and typed in an SMS to inform that I was traveling.

After it was getting darker outside, I thought of starting my favorite hobby - observing people, their expressions and habits. By the way, my wife suspects that I consider these as opportunities to look at pretty girls - which, in fact is her, the only correct suspicion. The train was packed with people who looked mostly from towns and villages. There were a few college students who were busy pulling each others' legs. Then there was a person who was interested to hang around the door. He then made some space for himself and sat by the door holding the handle. I like to keep an eye on such people so that I do not miss out to see when they fall or commit suicide. So far, all those hanging by the door have seemed timid. I could also use that as an opportunity to fulfil one of my dreams by pulling the chain without paying fine.

Then there was another person who appeared to perform stress testing on his mobile phone battery by talking over an hour. Others seemed more busy convincing their brains to induce sleep for some time ensuring that nobody snatches their bags or belongings when they are asleep. There was a guy sitting in the second row, however, he seemed to strain his neck by constantly staring at a girl who was seated diagonally opposite to him. The girl tried to avoid his attention since she was traveling with another elderly person, who I conveniently thought was her father.

Occasionally, the tea and snacks vendors exercised their vocal chords to attract the customers. I had started feeling hungry and I had exhausted the water from the bottle. The train seemed to travel slow and then it halted on one of the intermediate stations. One of the person who might have looked at least a dozen times at me, decided to show mercy. He asked me to sit as the person next to him would get down at that station.

I struggled more than I did to clear my CET exams just to get that seat offered by a stranger in that crowd. I grabbed that seat as if a desperate politician would grab the CM chair.

The stranger started the conversation and was happy to offer the information about the place where I had planned to visit. He also gave me a few tips on where to stay and what to look for. Perhaps he hadn't opened up for days as he shared his entire autobiography with me; including his past and current salary, for which he had changed his job.

A handicapped person, who could not walk and had to use his hands to carry himself, stopped by to ask for money. I was moved looking at his physical condition and I handed him Rs. 10. He was so happy that he stopped begging. At the same time, one of the hawker passed by. I was so much immersed in my thoughts thinking about this handicapped person by which time the hawker had almost moved to the next compartment. Guaging that I wanted to stop the hawker, this handicapped person jumped for about 4 feet far, got hold of the hawker and directed him to me. I remained speechless and was moved by this act the way he was motivated and jumped just to help me out - just because I had paid him Rs. 10. By the time, I could thank him, he had already disappeared in the crowd ! I wished that if everybody starts lending their support in whatever way towards the physically disabled people in India, we can tap their talent in appropriate fields and help them to be self sufficient.

My thoughts of chain were broken when I heard two claps along with a specific style - HAAY HAAY. I turned around to find an eunuch begging for money. I ignored him (that person's facial appearance was inclined more towards male category, hence the usage of "him") Its interesting to know that many people in India believe that the curses gifted by eunuchs turn true and most of the folks end up paying the money to please them.

The expressions on everybody's dull face turned pleasant as the train pulled towards the destined station. My journey didn't end there as I had plans of taking a bus and traveling to another place. As this blog has grown bigger than expected, I don't intend to amuse you by writing about my further journey in this blog. I intend to publish my next blog on some serious subject. Till then, have fun !