The LCD told me that the next Churchgate Slow would make me wait for six tedious minutes. I grimaced.
Why hadn't I done my usual 20 metre sprint across the Santacruz bridge down to platform number 2 ? Why had I let the earlier local grate out without me?
HURRY UP PLEASE IT'S TIME
HURRY UP PLEASE IT'S TIME
Time yet for a hundred indecisions,
And for a hundred visions and revisions.
On the platform the hoi polloi come and go,
Talking of Cutting Chai & not Michaelangelo.
HURRY UP PLEASE IT'S TIME
Hallelujah. The train cometh.
Sleek. Very sleek. Futuristic.
This was my first encounter with the new coaches introduced by the Western Railway. All steel, its insides gleamed in the evening sun. The first class compartment had plush peach seats, more easily accessible handholds, and all the fans actually rotated.
Some juvenile graffiti decorated the walls, but it was welcome for a change. "Smita - a crudely drawn heart - Anil", made me feel a wee bit at home in these alien surroundings.
Plugging the ears with never severed electronic umbilical cords dangling from omnipresent FM Tuners/I Pods/ MP3 players/Cell phones. Reading. Applying make up. Brushing hair. Nose digging. Etcetera & etc.
To cut a long story short, all the normal "Mumbai Local" functions had ceased. We were actually looking around, and at each other.
I am told that the "Second Class" ladies generally share a great rapport, and over time form their own micro communities which discuss everything from nits to nervous disorders.
Being a part of the elite "First Class", I had barely exchanged a word with my co-passengers. 'Mind your own business' seemed to be the creed, and so I was in for a surprise. Sheepish, almost apologetic smiles were exchanged.
"This is my second time".
"This is my first".
"Cool na ?"...
...was interrupted with the unusually clear and surprisingly not nasal,
"Attention please. The next station is Khar Road. Agla station Khar Road hai. Dhanyavaad".
Deja vu! Deja vu!
The Kolkata Metro anyone? The only difference being that they didn't announce the exit direction. (By the by, why do they always have female announcers? I wouldn't mind a Bacchanesque baritone).
More smiles, and some gawking at the LCD which many (yours truly included) had not noticed initially ensued.
Smiles. Grins. Giggles. Chuckles. Chat.
Such a Long Journey ??
No. Non. Nein. Nahi.
1 comment:
Hey!
Imagine Bachchan talking to you in the train: "Agla Station Khar Road hai. Kya aap sure hain aapko yaheen utarna hain? Aapko yahaan lock kar diya jaye?" Or better still, in a bit of a Bambaiya tone: "Aye, Khar aa rahela hai. Utrega kya, haan?" Wouldn't work. Bachchan's already being overdone everywhere, right from Pepsi to ICICI to Parker.
Take a break. Probably you can ask for voiceovers from Gustaakhi Maaf's Prem Tarneja :) They'd be happy to make Lalooji announce stuff for everyone. Specially in the Gareeb Rath!!!
Cheers!
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