The Journey

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional. Any resemblance to name, place, organization or community is purely a coincidence. The story is neither meant for harming any living being, nor does it encourage suicidal activities. The images used in the post are only for representation purpose. They are downloaded from internet and the author doesn't bear the rights of the same.

It was Sunday. She went to Marine Drive that day!

She used to come home from the hostel on few Saturdays, spend a day with her parents and then return to the hostel on Sunday.

She was stressed with life. The studies and exams have been hitting her harder these days! It seemed, she kept all the negativity with her. She never spoke about it to her friends in college as they were new to her and neither to her parents who were far away from her.

That day she decided to witness the scenic beauty of Marine Drive for the last time. She had planned to commit suicide on reaching the hostel.

As she reached Marine Drive, she spotted something unusual!

A large crowd had gathered at a place and the people there seemed terrified. She had no idea what had happened. She tried to get a glimpse at the center of the crowd, but she couldn’t reach there.

She asked a passer-by about the incident.

“Pata nahi ekjactly kyaa hua hai! Lekin kuch log bol rahe hai ki koi admi achanak se behosh hokar zameen pe gir gaya!” (English translation: I don't know what happened exactly! But, few people are saying that a man fell unconsciously on the ground.)

This tragic incident dejected her further. She felt as if she’s the only one causing all the problems on this Earth!

Soon, an ambulance arrived and departed for the hospital within a couple of minutes. She realized that people die unknowingly in this world and it will be her turn, the next day!

After some time, she left the place for the railway station. She used to board the same train whenever she came home.

She was shocked a bit. The berth opposite to her was empty. As the departure time was approaching, she started feeling restless. She searched the entire coach but couldn’t find that old man!

A few months ago, when she was heading to her hostel for the first time, her parents had arrived at the station to drop her. They were worried about her as it was the first time they were leaving her alone.

An old man, bald and aged in 70s, yet a cheerful person, seated on the berth opposite to her noticed the anxiety amongst her parents. He assured them that he will look after her throughout the journey. She reached hostel safely.

Since then, whenever she visited home and was returning to the hostel on Sunday, she would find him on that very same seat.

She was not talkative as such. But, eventually, they both started talking with each other. He often appraised her for her smartness and that she was trying to become an independent girl as her parents never worried about her journey anymore. She used to tell him about the modern education system, the life of Mumbaikars and other casual news.

He, in turn, would tell her about his village, where he lives and the life of a modern villager now! He used to ask her about the wonderful places to visit in Mumbai so that he could visit them the next time he comes and she would present a list of places before him.

Though he was a senior citizen, he never seemed to suffer from any problems like fatigue, blood pressure issues, etc. In fact, he used to eat a lot and be cheerful throughout the journey. She was very fond of his way of living.

It was that unique bond between them that made her feel restless. She couldn’t even enquire with TTE as there are no registrations of Second Class passengers as such!

Suddenly, she remembered his village he always mentioned about and the way to get there. She alighted the train at his destination station and took a bus further to his village. She asked his address at a local shopkeeper who hired an auto for her.

As she reached his house, she saw a crowd of villagers gathered at his place. She confirmed with an elderly person about his house. Reaching ahead she saw the members of his family crying their heart out! But she couldn’t notice that old man anywhere.

She could, in no way, go up to them and ask about him! She backed her steps and asked that same elderly man outside, what happened there and where that old man was.

He spoke out.

“He was the most respected person of this village.”

“Sorry, but did you say, ‘he was’?”

“Yes, girl. We got a news this noon that he lost his life at a hospital in Mumbai. He fell down unconsciously at Marine Drive this morning. They are bringing him here now.”

She was totally shocked by now. She remembered the crowd at Marine Drive that morning and was unfortunate to meet him the last time.

“But, how did this happen? He was very healthy till last week when I saw him.”

“He suffered from cancer and was in the last stage. He knew he was going to die sooner or later. So, since few months, he insisted on visiting all places where he hadn’t been because he wanted to live his remaining life in a happy n joyful manner without any worries. Hence, he used to visit Mumbai often. He had a brave heart, I must say. Who else has the courage to face death this way?”

She was set aback. Tears rolled down her eyes. Her confidence to face death had, by now, vanished. She kept thinking how that old man remained cheerful throughout all their journeys and never spoke about the disaster he was going through! It was because, he chose to face it positively, no matter what! And she's the one who was thinking of leaving this world like a coward!

The ambulance reached their place that very moment. Regaining her consciousness, she rushed towards the ambulance and just whispered “Thank You” in the ears of the lifeless body for that priceless motivation!

Wiping the tears, she left the place with tons of positivity and a changed life indeed!