A tale of few hours

I got down from the train, looked at my watch it was still 3:10 AM that meant I have to wait two more hours for my train. I kept my luggage down and looked around stretching my arms. It was a small railway station with just two platforms. 

There was no sign of human being. Only empty trolleys of food were there. I picked up my bag and started to move towards the stairs hoping to find someone.

“Hey! Show me your ticket. Where are you going?” an old man came running towards me.

As he came closer I noticed his old torn blazer that he was wearing. He was a ticket checker. But as he was dressed it didn’t looked like he was. Big unshaved beard, bald head with some hairs here and there, an old blazer with stiches everywhere, covering him with an old dirty blanket.

“You thought you will run. we are very strict on this station. Come on show me your ticket” he shouted trying to scare me.

“I have ticket give me a minute.” I answer convincing him that i am carrying ticket and started unzipping my bag to get my ticket.

Within those two minutes he was staring at like some alien has arrived on his station.

“Here it is.” I said handing him my ticket.

“Hmm.. ok “ he looked my ticket holding upside down,” always carry, I am very strict.”

“You are holding wrong… just turn like this… yes this is correct.” I said helping him with ticket.

“I know, I know! Don’t teach me. Keep your ticket” he almost threw ticket towards me and walked away mumbling.

I picked up my ticket and started searching ticket counter. Finally found one little room on one side of station the only place there with some light. I went near the ticket window only to find a man with a big belly sleeping on the chair.

“Thak-Thak!!” I knocked on the glass pane.

He woke up a little, saw me standing there and waved his hand to go away. I was little surprised. Why he waved me off? He should be happy. Seeing this place it looked like I am the first one to buy ticket in thousand years.

“Thak-Thak!!” I knocked again. He woke up this time, slid his chair near the window.

“We don’t sell ticket here, take ticket from the TT if you find him on the train.” Said in an irritated voice.

Before I could say anything he switched off the only light on that place and went back to sleep.

“Bloody hell”, seeing no way I turned back to get some information about my train from that old TT.

As I was moving back I had an urge to smoke. I moved out of the so called railway station. Lit one cigarette and puffed out the smoke slowly. I saw some dry leafs and twigs there put them on fire and started warming myself.

I was busy enjoying my cigarette and fire.

“Splashhh!!” someone threw a bucket full of water on the bonfire I made. I tried looking around in the darkness for that someone.

“What are you doing here” a girl in early twenties appeared from one corner.

“It’s so cold here. I am just getting some heat. What your problem? ” I asked her in anger.

“I will tell you but if you want safely reach your place follow me.” She held my hand and pulled in the direction from where she appeared.

Unaware of the fact what was going? I just followed her. She took me inside a hut behind the railway yard. It looked like her home.

“What’s happening?” I was eager to know.

“Would you like some tea? But I will charge for it.” She replied smiling.

“yes.. sure. Just me a cup but please tell me first.” I said confused.

She sat down near stove and started making tea without listening me, at least I thought so. In few minutes she came back with a glass of tea. She offered me, I took that, had one sip.

“Now please end the suspense. Tell me.” I again asked her.

“Well as you know this area is full of naxalites and we are given strict instructions by them not to put on any kind of light or fire. Any kind of fire or light works as signal for them.” She told.

“Shit!!” my hands became cold,” will they come here to check.”

“Hope that they don’t come and if they come also I will say my father lit the fire. He’s always drunk. I will handle” she said holding my hands.

Her warm hands on mine relaxed me a little. She took her chunni to wipe sweat on my forehead.

“Don’t worry I will take care of everything. Relax I am there” she said placing her hands on my cheek.

“Thank you so much.” I said looking in her eyes placing my hands over her.

We kept looking at each other, suddenly everything changed. The ambience became musical. We have known each other for less than an hour or so but our eyes met like we know each other since thousand years. 

I held her hand in mine and kissed looking at her. She dropped her eyelashes in shyness. I held her another hand and kissed again. I moved little closer to her, slowly moved my hands on her cheeks and clipped her hairs back. She also kissed my hands closing her eyes.

I placed my both hands on her face, moved more closely. Tilted her face a little and placed my lips on hers

.

“Thak-Thak!!” some knocked on the door. She hurriedly moved back.

“May be Baba, came back” she said without looking at me.

I was no more scared, I have lived my life in few moments. I stood and followed her.

“You mister, hide, naxalites may also be outside.” She said to me turning back.

“No I am not scared of Naxalites anymore, I am no harm to them. Just tell them I am your relative.” I said in confident voice.

“They know each of us in this village very well. They will kill you.” She replied.

“But “,I tried speaking

“No but, I never knew what love is but these few minutes with you made me feel. Please for me.” She interrupted me putting her finger on my lips.

“Ok. Where I have to hide?” I kissed her finger and said.

“Come.. this side..in bathroom” she held my hand and took me behind her hut from other door.

Now I was standing in her bathroom waiting eagerly listening what was going inside. She opened the door.

“Why was their light?” someone shouted on her. It wasn’t her father for sure. They were naxalites.

“May be BABA did, you know he always drink. I will make him understand. Please forgive us this time” she pleaded.

“Don’t worry. We are not here for light, we want you.” The same person said this time laughing.

“What?” she questioned them. I was unable to understand what they were talking about but I think she knew. She sounded scared.

“Today is comrades birthday, you are his birthday gift.” He said again laughing.

Next what I could here was her scream. They were taking her with them. I tried moving but my body was freezed.  Thoughts started occupying my mind. If I go I may be killed. I have my whole life. My parents are waiting for me, hoping their son will arrive in few hours.

Next thing in my mind flashed the hour I spent with her. The way she held my hand, took me to her hut. The way she made me relaxed, The way she touched my cheeks, The way I kissed her hand, The way we caressed, The way I put my lips on her lips.

That’s it! I rushed inside the hut, they were dragging heraway. I jumped towards her, kicked the guys who was dragging her, held her hand and got her up. She hugged me while crying. I wiped her tears and kissed on her forehead.

“Noooo” she shouted looking towards door. I also turned to see why she shouted.

“Thaakk!!” they hit on my forehead with the gun butt. My eyes closed.

I opened my eyes, saw everything white around. I tried turning to see if she is on the adjacent bed but it was empty. I saw my mother their crying. I wanted to hug her and cry. Tell her that because of me a girl was violated, I tried saving her but failed. I am sorry.

“Maa” I got up, tried hugging her but I fell down. I just passed her  why I was not able to hug.

“Maa” I again called my mother almost crying but she was not listening. I again tried touching her but my hands again passed her. She was looking at the bed where I was lying closing my eyes. I was dead.

Someone touched my shoulders from behind, I looked back. The same girl was there smiling.