Description

I was returning from my hometown Kolkata to my workplace Bhopal, where I was posted as a Manager of a Commercial establishment. I had just moved in around 15 days back. Have taken a small flat quite near to my office. I am a bachelor even at 36, so had purposely not gone for a bigger flat. I don't need one. I was also of the introverted kind, not much sociable. I prefer to be left alone after my working hours. So, on this trip, I had gone home to bring some more of my clothes and belongings. Just reached Bhopal station some time back. So thought of calling my mother back at Kolkata and tell her that I've reached safely, before taking a cab to my Bhopal flat. Just finished my call and was about to move out of the station, when somebody called me from behind, speaking to me in my mother tongue, "Are you a Bengali ?" a lady's voice was calling me. I turned and saw a middle aged woman of around 40-45, looking at me with an enquiring face. She was soberly dressed with a light coloured sari with a suitcase in front of her and a travel bag on her shoulder. I said that I was a Bengali. The lady came close to me and with a pitiable face, said, "Sir, please help me, I'm in big trouble." I looked askance at her. She continued, "I was supposed to catch a train for Kolkata, but a little while back, my purse got snatched. I had my ticket in the purse along with some cash. Now I can't go back. I don't have any place to stay over here. Please help me."