With a strange screeching sound, taking a tweak, the train stopped. All the passengers became restless. There was an anxious hustle bustle everywhere, each one trying to find out the reason behind this sudden halt. Inquiries revealed that the track was flooded due to heavy rains, and the train was not likely to move until the water receded. Which meant that my journey was going to be extended by minimum five to six hours.
Anyway, I was elated with the delay, it was definitely good news for me, as it was going to give me some extra time with her. From Baroda we had boarded the train together, to come to Mumbai. It started off with a hi hello. After a couple of hours of chitchat, I came to know, she was a spinster and was doing fashion designing. Like me, she was a Mumbai resident. She looked calm and gentle.
Mrunali Shah, she was so stunning, that I fell for her then and there. You can call it love at first sight.
"Anyhow I must reach Mumbai by tomorrow,"
Mrunali voiced her fear.
"Why? What's tomorrow?" I asked her.
"My exams begin tomorrow Mahendra."
My name on her lips was music to my ears.
Before I could reassure her, one of our traveling companion's six-month-old boy began to cry. His mom tried her best to console him. She fed him milk, changed his clothes, tried to distract his attention outside the window, but all in vain. The child continued to cry profusely.
For a while, we both watched this drama quietly. Then, Mrunali went to the woman and said softly,
"Sister, if you don't mind, can I try to calm down your son?"
The baby's mother was frustrated by now and willingly handed over her son to Mrunali. Within two minutes, as if a miracle occurred, the child became quiet in Mrunali's arms. We were all amazed. The baby's mom spoke up,
"This is really very weird. You are a stranger, but still he found solace in your touch, and I, being his mother, have been fruitlessly trying for so long."
Mrunali smiled and reasoned out kindly,
"After all he's just a baby, they tend to become stubborn sometimes. Let him sleep in my lap for a few minutes, when he falls into deep slumber, I'll give him back to you."
I kept looking in amazement. Finally, Mrunali put little Gopal to sleep. When she came and sat in front of me, I couldn't stop my grin, and glancing at me, she too smiled coyly. She was equally soft and loving, as she was beautiful. My heart bent a little more towards her.
The train started eight hours later. In total we stayed together for fifteen hours. Neither of us slept. We had dinner and talked until the wee hours of the morning. By the end I felt as if we were long lost and reunited best friends.
Those fifteen hours spent with Mrunali were the most beautiful and joyful moments of my life. And as a result, today Mrunali is my soulmate and the heartbeat of my home. Mrunali, the love of my life!
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai
