It is pretty late and what seemed like the midnight read only 9:45pm on my phone. I took the metro from Sikandarpur station for an hour long journey. I decided not to read tonight through my train journey, for my head was already splitting in two and the whole day of staring at the computer screen didn’t help. I plugged in my headphones and song after song my thoughts were filled by my discussions at work.
Today was a long and difficult day!
I have recently joined this firm and after only 7 days I am making plans to quit.
It is 10:15 pm and from Hauz Khas station I now change tracks towards the Botanical Gardens Station. These are new stations and I found them well designed. It will take another 8 minutes for the next train to arrive so I wait.
Ever since I’ve started this new commute I’ve decided to walk more, so even at the stations one can find me pacing up and down the platforms. Tonight I decided to pick a straight line and practice my ‘ramp’ walk; to practice a more conscious walk, to be more aware.
Who wants to drag feet while walking? Not me! Posture.
The platform is particularly busy for this late hour. Where are all these people coming from? A boy with huge headphone, enjoying his music, I can clearly see his head wobbling to a rhythmic cycle. A girl with a ‘smart’ haircut, who was following my gait. A man with a really nice leather bag hanging by his hips.
I want a leather bag like that!
The walking tired me soon and I decided to bring out my travel companion for a little chat. It’s a Stephen King classic, The Shining. I always wanted to watch the movie but decided to only watch it after finishing the book. I am totally into the story. Jack has already reached the hotel…
I had only turned a page when it signaled that the train is approaching the platform. Everyone got attentive and looked to queue.
Queuing is still a new phenomenon in Delhi!
We all get on the train and I find a pole to lean against and resume my reading. The boy with headphone is now standing in front of me, still enjoying his music. He is wearing a red t-shirt and had his moustache in an upward twirl. Facial hair is a huge deal this season with the men in urban centers. My thoughts kept rotating between the book, work, and back. At the next stop, two people left their seats and the headphone boy rested on one. I looked at the other one and decided not to sit. In my experience of traveling in Delhi Metro every time I occupy a seat I find someone who needs it more than I. So I kept leaning against the pole and tried concentrating at the book.
The train was getting emptier by each passing station. I found an empty seat and decided to park myself there.
The next station was approaching and people started to crowd the doors. I looked up to see which station was it and the headphone boy caught my eye. He was also standing to de-board. He looked back at me and with a huge smile, nodded at me before leaving the train to find the exit.
I kept looking at the empty space only to realize I was smiling. I went back to my pages.
Today was a long but nice day!
