7:03 Panvel Slow..

It's almost 7:00 PM. The bright red LEDs on the railway indicator displays, "07:03 PL S". I am sitting at platform number 3 on Sanpada railway station. In 3 minutes the slow train for Panvel will arrive. Indian railways are never on time, but today is an exception. I have been sitting here for the past 30 minutes and all trains were on time..!!

I look at her. She is adjusting her hair. She is taking to me. I know she is, because I see those perfectly set lips moving and her words fall on my ears. It's pure melody. I smile. My mind is else-where. It was her last day at office where we worked together. Work was interesting because she would often come to my workstation, say something really funny and walk off. 

She is wearing a red sleeveless tshirt and black jeans. Her ever so pretty black hair, rests comfortably on her shoulder. Her maroon shoulder bag sits between us, much like a protective sister shielding away unnecessary attention. I don't mind the bag. I look at the watch, it is 7:01 PM. Two minutes is all I have to tell this girl that I loved her. I had to. This pressure is killing me. She catches me looking at the watch. With a fake angry tone she says, "Yeah, I know you are getting late. You have to bear my nakhra's only for today. I won't trouble you from tomorrow.. Boys I tell you. huh.." and she flicks her hair back. 

"I won't trouble you from tomorrow..." That statements hurts like hell. Why does being in love have to be so painful? I look at her. Her freckled face is flawless. Her smile is intoxicating. I smile at her. "I was looking at the time so that I knew how much longer I can enjoy your mesmerizing company," I say. She looks at me and laughs, "Liar..", she says, "Ok listen, don't forget me and keep in touch ok?" Her words are no longer soothing. The more she speaks, the heavier my heart feels. The lump in my throat fells like a size of a rock. 

The time is 7:02 PM. In a minute she will be gone and too oblivious to my feelings. I can hear the sound of the trains horn. My heartbeats suddenly rise. She

looks at me and says, "Chalo, the train has come... will call you.." She got up and flung her bag on her shoulder. "Nisha," I say, "There is something you ought to know.." She stops and says, "Arre gadhedo.. from the past half an hour you couldn't say anything, now you want to say. I am leaving.. bye.." 

The train has almost reached the platform. I walk up to her. The train screeches to a halt. She gets in. Surprisingly there is no rush. She stands near the door and offers her hand for me to shake as a formal good-bye. "I need a hug, hand-shake is so formal," I say. She laughs. I continue, "Listen, what I wanted to tell you is, since the time I lay my eyes on you, I have been in love with you. I know after today we might never meet. I just wanted you to know. I love you Nisha."  

Her extended hand is still is mine. The train starts with a jolt. She looks at me dumbfound. Her hand slowly slips away from mine. I move back. She is still looking at me. The train gradually catches speed. She is still looking at me. The train moves out of the platform heading towards Panvel. I feel relieved. I sit back on the bench. I re-live the past 3 minutes of my life over and over again. 15 minutes pass by. I get up to leave. My heart keeps pulling me back. Suddenly, I feel a tap on my shoulder. Its her. My heart leaps. She came back!!

Her eyes are a little misty. She says, "Yeah, even I thought a handshake is too formal. Here is a hug.." She smiles and opens her arms wide.. we hug. I would never want to let her go. I feel a overwhelming sense of  unexplainable feeling engulf me. I close my eyes. I can hear my office colleagues cheering on, some even whistling.

I open my eyes. I am suddenly at my desk. Its 6:45 PM. Nisha walks up to me and says, "Hey Jitu, listen, I need to go with Bhavna di today. She has got her car. I thought I would go with you but she insisted that I go with her. Today is my last day here.. but that does not mean that I will stop bothering you.. you please take care. Will meet if possible. Today Suraj (her boyfriend) has planned something special for me.. He is a sweetheart.. I love him so much..!! Ok.. I am getting late.. byeee..." She offered me her hand. I politely shook it. "Good Luck," I say. She rushes out.

"Since the time I lay my eyes on you, I have been in love with you. I know after today we might never meet. I just wanted you to know. I love you Nisha...." I mumble after you are gone. My bag is packed. I walk towards Sanpada station. Indicator on platform number 3 displays, "07:03 PL S"

This story is completely fictional.