29th March 2017

It was the last day of my examination at college. Every one was ready to write the paper as soon as they could, and get out of the place. They had plans. Getting out with friends, eating, roaming around. Some people had to hurry home; the family had booked tickets for their vacation. Some had to go home and follow their usual routine. I had plans too. One which was made two weeks in advance. It was the first time I was going to travel by train alone. 

It was a big deal, as in India, travelling by train is not considered safe for girls. Many people don't prefer it, as it is hectic, tiring, and chaotic, full of hustle, and yeah, sweat and dirt. But for most people, it is a major form of transportation, to cover a large distance by cheap means, almost everyday.

So!
Departure: Thane, Maharashtra, India
Arrival: Khopoli, Maharashtra, India

3:55 pm
I finished writing the paper, and strode out of the examination hall, heading for home.
It was 37 degrees outside, and I had my cap on while I walked home as soon as I could. A friend gave me company.

An app I had installed that told me about train timings. It was helpful, as it told me, my train for today would arrive at 5:10 pm.
There were two ways I could reach my destination:
● Take a direct train to Khopoli at 6: 45
● Break journey, switching train at Karjat, reaching destination by 8:00.

To me 6:45 seemed too late. I planned to take up the break journey.
Time flew as I reached home. It was already 4:30, and I had to leave home by that time so that catching the train would be easy.

4:40 pm
I had stuffed myself with spoons of Rajma Chaval. And as I chewed, I filled a bottle with cold water, packed some snacks for the journey, wore my cap and found socks for the shoes I had to wear (ditching slippers, even though it was so hot, and for the reason that I could have to run at the last moment if by any chance I got late). I had my bag packed already.
Wallet, checked. House keys, checked. Mobile phone, checked. Called Dad to let him know I was leaving, checked. Determination and the need of "Just do it!", Checked.
I drank some water and wore my backpack. I left home.

4:55 pm
I had almost reached the station. I had asked my Rikshawala to ride as fast as he could. He clearly did see the hurry I was in.
On my way, while sitting still, doing nothing, there were hundreds of things going on in my mind. Why does one fail to understand, that how much ever you try to distract yourself from continuous thoughts, probably by running away to a different place all together, your mind will still hover upon it.
But I kept assuring myself, that this would make me think about something else. Not necessarily just how I was going to travel, but also how all the things around had an effect on me. Life teaches you to learn from it.
I love Thane traffic.

5:03 pm
I had seven minutes till my train left. And by then, I didn't even know which platform my train is going to arrive at.
Something inside my head told me to go to platform 3, perhaps a strong memory. I have traveled by the local train hundreds of times with my parents, to Khopoli, especially Mom. I love to travel with her. But this was my trip, and I had to figure it out for myself. "It was platform 3!!!", I had almost convinced myself to believe that. Turning anxious, I walk over platform 3. There is no train standing there. I ask people around, if the train is going to arrive here. And they say yes. I felt a little relieved then.
Too late, I remembered I had to still buy a ticket. But then for a second I thought, "Doesn't really matter, no one will catch me, this is India." Yup. Honestly, this is what I thought. But, who is going to change my thinking? Me. And I did. I ran towards the ticket counter, waited in the line, which was not too long thankfully, and bought my ticket. Doing this, I also actually got a chance to ask where my train will be arriving. But unfortunately the ticket lady failed to comprehend what I was trying to ask. It was already 5:10, and I could be nothing but anxious. For few moments there, I was scared. I didn't want to miss this chance. I moved out, trying to study my ticket while my hands were shaking, to find if the platform number was mentioned. I had to confirm by a reliable source if the 3rd platform was really where my train would arrive. I couldn't actually trust what my mind said at the time. As I was doing that, the announcement happened. "5:15.....Karjat......12 coaches..... Fast.... Platform number 5....."
Before the numbers could confuse me, I  start looking for a way to get to platform 5. I turn around to see the stairs. I wasn't sure where it lead, but I took it anyway. My phone rang as I started to sprint upwards. It was Dad. Asking me if I had caught the train. But in the hustle that the crowd around me made, and the chaos that I myself was in, I was forced to hang up. "I will call him once I get inside the train." Now I was determined- "Girl, you are going to catch that train to Karjat."
I ran, while appreciating myself to have worn the shoes and been smart.

  

5:15 pm
Once I had started to cross the bridge, a sign board having "5 & 6" written over it, led my way. I ran down the stairs, and reached the platform.
The train was there. Luckily, the ladies compartment was right were I slowed down a little. It was full. Ladies tried to grab hold of what ever support they could, to try not fall off the train.
Travelling as a kid in Indian trains, one thing my Mom taught me was that, no matter what, if you think you cannot catch the train, do not go out of the way to catch it. Do not risk you life over a train.
I knew my potential. If it was a situation where I couldn't push it any further, I wouldn't have even tried. But this was not something like that. This was what I was capable of doing, even though the difficulty in front of me was huge.
I confirmed if the train was going to Karjat as I asked one of the ladies, who was clinging on to a resting pole inside the train. As she said yes, I took a deep breath in, and pushed myself inside.
"Side please, side. Excuse me. Thankyou. Please. Side. Thankyou."
As I was forcing myself in, I felt the train move. I was inside, and with a sigh of relief I smiled. 

(A lady actually did look at me, confused, definitely thinking why a girl would give such a broad smile when getting squeezed so bad by sweaty women)  I knew why a girl would do that after almost missing a train trip she planned 2 weeks ago. :)

5:20 pm
I stood sandwiched among the ladies. My feet were somewhere buried among others; couldn't even see them. And my body angled at a totally different direction. My backpack caused some inconvenience to the ladies, but I could only apologize. The compartment was sweaty and hot. People who traveled by train on regular basis, were used to it. And I didn't mind. The only source of fresh air was when the train caught pace, or when the swinging fan attached to the ceiling of the compartment turned towards you.
I was having the time of my life, and one wouldn't say I was travelling alone for the first time. I loved it. I just had to find myself a seat now. And that wasn't going to be any sooner, because I knew the crowd starts to clear only after 4 or 5 stops. Sometimes even more.

 

6:00 pm
I found myself a window seat. While travelling this way, it has become a custom, that when you are standing, you ask the people who have a seat- where they are going to get down. If they are going to get down at a stop that is going to come soon- you book it. The seat belongs to you after the person has got up, no matter how many others are standing. The seat is only yours. That's how I booked mine. If some one else took your seat without you allowing, or without the consent from the person who the seat belonged to, there'd be a war. A real bad ass war. Cuss words, hair pulling, slapping and pinching. But I wouldn't want that, so I'd just let the other person take it. But to be honest, the entertainment you receive when that happens, is incomparable, and I did encounter it.
The reason was minor, perhaps a lady getting irritated about the push someone gave her from behind. She yelled, and was furious. Some ladies tried to calm her, some revolted against. (Happens only in India).
Only after getting a seat, I realize that I got inside a first class coach. Funny thing, I shouldn't have been surprised at the crowed getting cleared so quick.
I call Dad, and let him know I had caught the train, and that I was okay. He wasn't worried about me travelling alone. He wouldn't mind if I took a flight to another country alone. But he told me to be alert. To be careful of my belongings and to be safe. An ideal dad. I love him for the way he didn't even have second thoughts when I told him I wanted to go alone. Usually, for Khopoli, we travel by car, and he would have dropped me there if I hadn't mentioned about the idea of me travelling alone. But I wanted to, and so I did.

  

6:20 pm
Most of the people around me were now sitting. Every one had their seats. Some were standing, as their stops were about to come. Some people around had their earphones plugged in, some were talking and some just waited. I was taking photos. Yup.
The sun was setting, and the sky was amazing that day. Some how it just gave me hope, and calmed me. I eagerly waited for a lady who sold earrings and other accessories to show up. But came sellers who sold guavas, fried snacks and coloring books. Buying accessories during train trips was something I loved doing as a kid. They were beautiful, and cheap. So I'd usually ask Mom to buy most of the pretty designs. But the seller didn't show up. I realized after sometime, that she usually appears in the direct train to Khopoli. I also thought about how silly I had been to convince myself that the train would arrive at platform number 3. I realized that the reason platform 3 was on my mind was because the direct train to Khopoli came there. I wasn't wrong about the memory.
I showed some of the pictures I had taken to a girl sitting beside me. Apparently she was getting down at the same stop as mine. I took out some of the snacks I had and offered it to her. She had food with her too. We shared.

  

  

  

6:45 pm

I reached Karjat.
After getting out of the train, I found myself in a known place. I had been here before, and this place was where I usually asked Mom to buy vada pav for ourselves. I didn't want to have one at that time, so I just sat at the platform and waited.
My next train was supposed to arrive at 7:20. Till then I had a lot of time in hand. I drank some water. I spent time talking to a school friend on phone. She told me I was doing a good job and she hoped I was enjoying. I told her that I was. About a talk of around 20 minutes I was switching over apps on my phone and playing crossword. Chatting with Dad online (we both were lazy to talk over the phone), where I told him I was waiting for the other train to arrive, and where he again reminds me to stay alert. Thanks Dad.♥️
I do a little more photography, add edits and pass my time.

    

7:20 pm

Train arrives. This train is usually empty, as the area between Karjat and Khopoli is not so populated. You could say it is a countryside.
It was dark now, and you could see nothing but darkness outside the window. The compartment I got into had only around 20 people. I sat by all by myself with no one beside. I drank some water. I had lot of thinking going on at the time. It just made me happy. It was good for me to have decided to this. I had to do it some day. Go all alone, cover a distance of more than a hundred kilometers, among people all strangers to me. And how I am going to do more of self travelling in the coming years. This was what I liked. And to be honest, I love being independent and let out alone (when I choose to; most of the times it is my choice). I was brought up that way. And I don't feel bad about it. If one may think I am a self centered human being, I couldn't care less. But yeah, I am a cry baby at times. And I like to be difficult.
Between so much thinking, I saw this sukha bhel-puri wala enter the train. For 10 bucks, I got myself one.
As I tried eating it with a piece of cardboard paper, the puffed rice tried to fly around cause of the air that was coming inside through the window.
I updated my day's story with a few pics on social media.

    

8:00 pm
I reach Khopoli. My journey had ended. My time one alone travel by train experience. I felt so good. I didn't even feel tired. An adventure to me it had seemed. But during my time in the train, I thought how different it would have been, if I was sharing the experience with someone. But then I also thought, that if had shared it with some one, I wouldn't have known how fun it could be in my own company. And definitely it wouldn't have been a time one alone travel by train experience. Common! It was a big thing for you Gauri! Don't you see, how capable you are of making yourself happy? Why do you need somebody to be with you always? Sometimes is fair enough. I did miss Mom, and was thinking about people that affect my life, at intervals during the journey. Most of the times I thought about the journey. So sometimes, you just need yourself, and no one else. No one.

I have preserved this.

Now what? I reach Khopoli. That's it? Lol no. I have my grandparents here.  And my aunt came to pick at the station. I found her before she found me. I was in touch with her too, along with Dad during my travel. I told her every thing on our way home. And she told me every one was waiting to listen from me. :) I lived there for two days and made my return journey by a direct train to Thane.

This seems like a rather long blog update, but I couldn't help myself talking about it as it means a lot to me. And if you have read it till the end, thank-you for your time. Again, it means a lot. :) ♥️

P.S. While I sat in the train I went through the app I had installed (the one which gave me train timings and successive stops), and beside the arrival time detail, there was a number that said '5', indicating the platform number.  Had I known earlier I would have caught the train with much ease. But the easiness of it wouldn't have been worth writing or sharing so much about. :) <3