Ticketless Travelling

Like most of the days, I was late again….
Last evening I had noticed that my train pass had just expired. Weary evening did not encourage me to stand in the long queue for the issue of a new one. I postponed the task to the next morning…and there I was, late again…

Forget the pass, I did not even care to take a ticket. Overlooking the booking office, I quickly ran up the flight of steps of the over bridge. Just as I reached the landing to take some deep breath, the message on the board flashed before my eyes – “FOR BONAFIDE USERS ONLY”, which meanwhile, increased my already fast-beating heart-beat. My legs slivered a little, but I moved on…with a hope to board the immediate train on the platform towards Churchgate.

Seeing the train approach the platform, I ran, in order to catch this one. Till I reached the platform, the train had geared off. I missed it. I stood in danger zone. I had no ticket. I was not a ‘bonafide traveller’. I looked out if there was any ticket checker to catch hold of me…and soon a person in a black blazer approaches me. I turn my eyes. But he looks at me, and follows the linear path. I am scared. I turn my whole body in the opposite direction. The man comes and pats my shoulder. I turn…

“Will this train halt at Andheri?” he asks pointing at the indicator.
“Yes,” I answer heaving a sigh of relief.

Quitting the platform drama, I quickly board the train arrived. And I am careful to look out for an undercover T.C. To my relief, there is a seat vacant. I quickly grab it before any one else. I take a look behind, in the gangway. I am safe.

The train moves and I suddenly see a person putting his hand in his pocket. He takes out his pen, and his diary. I mistake it for the fine receipt. No he is just another traveler! I put my hand on my chest only to suppress my thumping heart beat. It is pumping fast, I discover. I place my thumb on the other hand; move the wrist watch, to check my pulse. Suddenly, someone shows me the hand towards the seat. I look up. His eyes are wide open, demanding, compelling, and complaining. My face, on the other hand, bewildered, perplexed! But the man asks me only to get aside, for a fourth seat! Before I moved, I took my handkerchief out of my pocket. I moved and then wiped of the tiny droplets of sweat trickling from my temples…

Soon the next station arrived. What if the T.C. entered in? If he catches me, what will I do? Do I have an old ticket, so that I can fool him or something? Or will he overlook me? I closed my eyes, pretending that I am asleep. But my thoughts ran… how much will he fine me? Do I have that much? Even if I have, am I ready to pay that much? I should have brought a ticket, I felt at that moment (but where was the time for that!). What a shameful position it will be in front of everyone, if I am caught! I opened my eyes. The alighting crowd in the train at the arrival of the next station comforted my situation to some extent. “T.C.s don’t board in crowded compartments,” I thought. I constantly prayed. “God, this is the last time I am traveling without a ticket, please save me…I assure you, next time, I will surely buy a ticket…”

I get up from my seat with a pounding heart to get down at my station which is just two stops apart. At the next station, a person in a blue shirt boards the train. He is a middle aged man, somewhere in his forties. I doubt him to be the ticket checker. I move towards the gate of the train in the opposite direction. I look across from the window in the partition at his activities as he moves in the compartment. He shakes a person who is asleep on his seat. The person gets aside, and gives him place for a fourth seat. On the other side, my station arrives.

Looking the time in my watch, I learn there is no second to waste. I run, when suddenly, a person catches hold of me…

“Where are you going?” asks the voice…
I raise my head, my eyelids not dropping down….the face seems familiar… I gulp down the saliva in my mouth…
“You scared me…lets run, it’s late…,” I tell my friend…