Train

Train

Ten rupees will suffice for the ticket. The station master will come easier this time. I've washed my kurta and the stitches aren't broken anymore. Tomorrow is Friday and I will surely have a good business there. I've heard how rich people visit the mosque. They unmistakably pay huge alms to all the beggars. If I invest ten rupees I'll surely be able to double it up in no time. I'll not have to seek aid from anyone for few days. If luck persists I'll stay over there until I have earned for my prosthetic leg. Now I've to head to the station before I'm sweaty and my armpits stink. The station master will again keep me from getting in, if I stink.

The heat is too much to bear today. If I walk fast I'll sweat, if not the train will depart without me.

I should take a shortcut, yes.

Not this again; the never ending queue. It’s hot here too. My eyebrows are wet; my armpits must be too. I should have bathed twice.

It’s getting late. Still ten more people before me. Now six. Two more.

"Please dear ticket master do it faster"

Allah this heat.

"Thank you, sir"

I need to run before the train leaves.

Faster or another week of suffering.

"Excuse me sir, let me get inside; please."

"Where is your ticket."

"It’s right here. Allah, where did it fall?”

Please wait, I have it. I'll find out, once I'm inside; it must be somewhere inside my jhola. Sir please let me get inside."

"Disgusting, keep your hands off of me, you reek of rotten eggs. Where is your ticket?"

"Sir here it is; the ticket. Now let me in."

"It’s crumpled and damp, the codes have faded. This ticket is invalid. Sorry."

"But I paid for it. Sir, please. I'll throw away my kurta I won't stink then. Here it is."

"You shameless swine you do have a spine to stand naked in front of me. How dare you?"

"Sir no please don’t hand me to the police. I'm wearing it back again, please don’t hit, not here sir please. The train... The whistle... Station master, please let me in. I can't get in. Hold my hand young man, please. Do me a favor please, please."

"Take him away."

"Come son of a bitch."

The iron wheels rolled on and on; the timid cries fell on deaf ears.