ETERNAL COMPANIONS

Train's Journey

Swar ~

• Chauhan's Villa:

"What the hell, Ladoo, what were you doing? It's 7:15 already," I was angry at him.

"I am just 15 minutes late. We will still get the train. Come on, take out your car, we have to rush to the station," his face was expressionless in this cozy and chilled morning.

"By the way, we are walking all the way to the station. Dad has made the tickets ready yesterday night by phoning his secretary. Now hurry up like a good boy." I patted on his thick cheek.

Rakesh's face was pale when I said this.

"But bro, we are already running out of time. The train will arrive correctly at 7:40, and you want to walk?" He was exhausted.

"Yeah, walking. It's walkable distance. Look, if we move from here now, we will reach in 15 minutes — that means by 7:30 — and the train will arrive at 7:40. Ok? C'mon, start walking." I literally had to grasp his hand and make him move from there.

Rakesh has always been lazy, not only because of his fatness, but it's in his genes.

It was not even 5 minutes that we walked, and he said, "I'm tired, Swar, ask your driver to bring the car." I had to shut him up every time.

We reached the station with our heavy luggage. Nobody came to see us off or say goodbye — even I didn’t insist so. I let my family be and promised them that I'd take care of myself and be sincere towards everything, but not by missing the fun. I took the blessings of them all, hugged Sunaina, and finally apologized to my father. He was in tears because I realized my mistake. We all hugged tightly; it was a wonderful moment for me. They waved at us while staying in the periphery of our house.

I had to take this adventure all by myself after all. "There are some things in life that we have to experience without our parents" — these were the last words my Dadaji said before goodbye.

At the station, on platform no. 5, the train was about to arrive. We crossed the platforms while climbing the stairs that had a connected bridge to reach every platform, like every other station has.

We sat on the bench that was empty. There were many people carrying heavy luggage; a few of them seemed like they were going for a stay, with massive bags like ours. Many families were also present with their kids running here and there on the platform.

The weather was chilly. I had worn thick boots, with a black sweatshirt, jeans, and a white hoodie which I wore like a jacket — not zipping it up, just not to go out of style. Some people recognized me and said "hi" to me. They were addressing me as, "Look, he is the son of Pratap Chauhan."

I had to reply to them for this gesture of theirs. I shook hands with a few, some of them hugged me, some children were climbing upon me, and some took pictures. I think they used to see me in the interviews with my dad — the common interviews when dad used to take our entire family to be known to the world. I felt like a celebrity.

The travelers asked me why I was traveling by train when I had many big cars. I told them that I was going for a trip, so I was taking this way.

I think being kind to others was among the second responsibilities that Dadaji had made me aware of. The first was to tell me to travel like a commoner. It was mandatory to be good towards those people — not only because I felt so, but also because it was a question of my dad's reputation. Dad always admired the commoners because he lived like one. I had grown up in riches, so it was a little embarrassing when people were getting too informal with me.

"Swar, Swar, hey bro. What are you thinking? Anyways, still 5 minutes are remaining for the train's arrival. I will go to the washroom and come." I was busy in my thoughts when suddenly Rakesh shook me terribly.

"Yeah, but come fast," I requested.

As he left me alone on the bench of the railway platform, I once again started to think...

How will I introduce myself to Bela and her family? "I am Swar Chauhan, son of India's richest business tycoon, Pratap Chauhan" — no, it will be too formal. "Namaste, Uncle, I am Swar Chauhan, son of your childhood best friend, Pratap Chauhan" — yes, this sounds friendly.

"As you know everything about my father and my lineage, you don't know anything about me. I am 22 years old. My Dadaji named me Swar because I am very good at music and cried in a musical tone when I was born. I have completed my software engineering from New York University."

But what should I say about my job? I don’t do anything. I like to live on my dad’s finance. What will they think about me? After being so educated, I am not doing any job...

Wait... I can explain to them...

"Uncle, I didn’t want to do any job. I mean, even if I was good in studies and had studied abroad, still, studying and helping my dad in his business matters was never my kind of thing. The scholar and studious attitude passed on to me from my dad, but I was never interested in that. I am more inclined towards arts such as music, photography, painting — that kind of stuff. As my Dadaji says — you should always follow your heart, and I am doing the same."

The train’s whistle made me divert my mind from what I was thinking...

I noticed Rakesh was already standing beside me.

"What are you wondering, Swar?"

"Nothing, yaar (pal). I was thinking how to introduce myself to Bela's family," I replied.

The train halted at the platform, and we got in. Rakesh couldn’t climb in on the first attempt; I had to give him my hand and pull him inside the coach. I glanced — there were many travelers, some of whom had tried to become friendly with me. They climbed into the same coach as mine.

The train left the platform...

......................................

It was not my dream to travel alone this way, without my family. I remember we used to travel in packs with my cousins and all. The feeling of traveling for the first time was extraordinary. Many things were coming and going in my mind. We checked our particular seats and got seated. The travelers who had climbed with us were enjoying their journey. Maybe the happiness of going somewhere they had never been to drove them to be so energetic.

"Rakesh, open the window, brother," I spoke. I was feeling suffocated for the first time traveling by train — lots of people, congested environment, and too much noise from their kids. I preferred to use my headphones and be in my own world. I opened the playlist on my phone and played some Sufi music. Even when I travel by car, I make sure I listen to Sufi genres — they are my favorites — but I am more comfortable singing pop-rock genres. I'm not used to Indian classical music and stuff.

I noticed Rakesh opened one of his bags and took out a packet of chips.

"Are you going to eat this now, Ladoo?" I frowned.

"Yup. Would you like to have some?" He offered me with a grin.

"Nope, it's ok. You have it." I thought of not teasing him anymore and stayed busy in my thoughts.

I don't know why, but the music was not making me happier anymore. I thought of taking a nap — maybe I woke up early today, and that has not been my habit so far. I unplugged my headphones from my mobile and put them in my bag, crossed my arms across my chest, and leaned my head backward on the seat.

"You are sleeping, bro?" asked Rakesh, still munching chips.

"Not sleeping, just napping," I yawned.

...........................................................

"Gattu, you'll feel that you're in paradise when you'll confront such a girl. A girl who knows how to behave, a girl whose happiness will make you happy, a girl with whom you'll forget all your sorrows, a girl who knows how to bring everyone together, a girl who makes you forget that you're cool, you're rich, you're handsome — and the only thing that will matter is the beauty of the hearts. You'll feel that she is your reflection. You'll want to meet her, see her every second, you'll want to spend your entire life with her. Trust me, love has spared no one — everybody has to go through it. You want it or not, doesn’t matter — love will want you. Fortunately, without expectation, you will fall in love but you will not come to know. She will become the most precious thing in your life. She will be your sun, she will be your moon, she will be the truth of your life."

---

I opened both my eyelids in quick motion.

"Woah, it was a dream — but that was so cool." I was astounded.

"What was it, bro?" asked Rakesh, still eating — wonder how much he eats, no use of going to the gym or jogging early in the morning.

"Just a dream, Ladoo — a heavenly dream." I blushed. Why am I blushing? I mean, girls blush when they see me, I never. Anyway, Dadaji's words are worth listening to. Don’t know if it will be true or not, but if Dadaji said it, then it might be. He had experienced all this, after all.

"Wow, Bhaiya (brother), you have a guitar! Can you play some tune?" A teen girl present in the compartment asked me — maybe 14 or 15 years of age, black hair long till her waist.

"You want me to play?" I smiled and asked considerately.

"Yes," she replied in excitement.

"Let's begin then." I braced myself happily.

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