CHAPTER 2:- JOURNEY TO MUMBAI
731 Words
Jagjeet: "Bhai, I have to meet a manufacturer today regarding my business. So I am in hurry so we will meet you soon bye
Rudra got ready and headed toward the bus stop. As he reached, his eyes landed on Jhanvi, the most beautiful girl in his class, standing quietly. Excited, Rudra rushed toward her.
Rudra (smiling): "Arey, Jhanvi! You here?"
But Jhanvi didn't respond. She kept her head down, avoiding eye contact.
Jhanvi liked Rudra, but due to a misunderstanding in school, she had once slapped him in front of everyone. That guilt still haunted her, making her hesitant to even talk to him.
Seeing no response, Rudra stood silently at a distance. A thought crept into his mind. "Am I really that bad that she's ignoring me?"
Deep down, Rudra also had feelings for her, but he always tried to distance himself from such emotions.
A few minutes later, the bus arrived, and both of them boarded. The bus was crowded, leaving them with no choice but to stand. After ten minutes, a seat became available.
Rudra (gesturing to Jhanvi): "You can sit."
Without a word, Jhanvi sat down.
She wanted to apologize for the past misunderstanding and talk to him, but her guilt held her back.
AT THE STATION
After about half an hour, Rudra reached Motihari Station. His train was scheduled to arrive in 30 minutes, so he decided to grab a cup of tea from a nearby stall.
As he took a sip, he noticed Jhanvi getting off the bus as well.
"Where is she going alone?" he wondered.
Jhanvi walked into the station and sat on a bench. A few moments later, her father arrived.
Her father, Rishi Bhardwaj, was a well-known businessman who owned a real estate and development company in Muzaffarpur. Despite his wealth, he was a humble and kind-hearted man.
He handed Jhanvi some snacks and money.
Mr. Bhardwaj: "Beta, if you need anything, just call me."
After chatting for a while, he left.
Meanwhile, Rudra's train was scheduled to arrive at Platform No. 4. He hurried there. Five minutes later, the train pulled in.
His seat was in Coach S6, but he was standing near Coach B1. He quickly ran toward his coach, placed his bag inside, but before he could settle, the train started moving. He ran and barely managed to jump back on, making his way to his seat.
As soon as he sat down, he called his mother.
Rudra: "Maa, I've boarded the train. Everything is fine."
Mother: "Good, beta. Take care of yourself and don't forget to eat on time."
After talking for a while, they hung up.
THE TRAIN INCIDENT
Rudra had a habit of reading spiritual books and always carried the Bhagavad Gita with him. He admired Lord Krishna's teachings and tried to follow them. However, one thing he struggled with was his short temper. Despite his knowledge of Vedas and scriptures, controlling his anger wasn't easy for him.
Just then, an old beggar walked through the train, asking for money.
Rudra looked at him and said, "Baba, I won't give you money, but if you need food, tell me."
The old man frowned.
Beggar: "I don't want food. I need money."
When Rudra refused again, the old man scoffed.
Beggar (grumbling): "If you won't give, don't waste my time."
He turned to leave.
Rudra's ego was hurt. His anger flared up.
Rudra: "Baba, how can you say that? Just because I refused, you think I can't afford it?"
As his anger rose, a sadhu (saint) sitting nearby intervened.
Sadhu (calmly): "Son, does this behavior suits you? You carry the Bhagavad Gita, wear religious beads, and have a tilak on your forehead-yet your heart is filled with anger?"
Hearing the sadhu's words, Rudra fell silent. He lowered his head and sat quietly.
The sadhu's seat was right in front of Rudra. After a moment, he asked,
Sadhu: "Where are you going, son?"
Rudra: "Baba, I'm going to Mumbai for training."
The sadhu noticed Rudra reading the Bhagavad Gita and smiled.
Sadhu: "You read the Gita, wear religious symbols, yet you let anger control you? What's the point of all this knowledge if you can't purify your mind?"
Rudra thought for a moment, then ignored him, put on his earphones, and leaned back, closing his eyes.
The sadhu simply smiled and went back to his meditation.
- Writer
