silentwalk

That day, as usual, standing on footboard of the local I was observing the rush outside. One young girl was running towards the local train to catch it. The time was too short, so I thought she might miss it and was watching. The train moved and the girl caught hold of the handle and placed one foot on the same footboard where I was standing.There was no alternative remaining other than giving her support to catch the train. So I did. It was quite risky for her. It seems she was ignorant about it. "If I would have missed this train, I would have got a third late mark"..she replied to my questioning face. "If, I would have been late to give you support, then everybody in the train would have got a late mark today, what about that? " I replied to her answer. Then she realised that if she would have missed one step then due to the accident train would have been late. She smiled at me.

She was good looking but seemed to be used to taking risks. I thought that I must ask her name and continue the conversation, but stopped myself as she might think about me in the otherway. Such type of girls are really dengerous. After getting the help if by chance you meet the same girl at some other place and if you try to talk to her, she don't even show that she has seen you somewhere. You have to observe total blank face and get the akward feeling.

I met the same girl again after four days in the same train and surprisingly she recognised me. We talked in general and I asked her, her phone number. She replied that there is no use of calling in the office as our manager doesn't like it. The topic remained halfway and she got down. Slowly slowly we developed some friendship as we used to catch the same trains for our offices. Many times she would catch the train in a hurry and sometimes if she will be on time, she would feel sorry that she couldn't collect the tifine though it was ready. Her name was Madhuri Gokhale.

One fine day she looked very much worried. So I asked her the reason. She replied that she doesn't like strikes but unwillingly she has to join the strike in the office. It seemed that she was sincere about her work. I calmed down her by telling that your authority will come to know that you have joined the strike unwillingly. So not to worry!! Such communication continued for two-three months. We were knowing our timings and and we used to wait for eachother. Meantime I was not knowing anything about her except her name.

One evening I met her on Chuchgate train station. It seems she was waiting for me. I asked her. She said, " Will you do one favour for me?" I asked ,"what's that?" she replied, " Will you convey a message to my home that today I will be late". I asked her, " why? Any special program with friends? as it is the day of salary" She replied, "No, not special but going out". It seemed she was not interested to tell much. I took her address and decided to go to her house to convey the message. I got down at the Borivali station and walked out in the direction she told. I found that her house was very far from the train station.

Finally I reached her house. Mr Gokhale, an old man wearing a dhoti opened the door. Her financial condition was not too good. I replied to his questioning face, "I came to convey a messageof your daughter, today she will be late". I tried to tell him that please tell your daughter that don't try to catch the train in a hurry as life is more important than the job. When her father heard this, I saw tears in his eyes. He asked me, " Since how many days do you know my daughter?" I answered, "3-4 months and we use to meet in the train. Once I helped her in catching the train...etc." Her father said, "yes, she told me that. But one thing I want to tell you that she doesn't have a job." I was shocked to here that. He continued, "I don't have a son. She is the only daughter. In fun I used to say that she is my son. This thing hamppered her mind. After completing her graduation she couldn't get a job. But she wished to have one. So she pretends everyday that she has a job. She has become mad. Everyday she goes out at the office time. Catch the train in a hurry just like office people. She talks about the life in the office. In a way she tries to live a life of a person who has a job, but on the day of the salary all the persons get the salary except her as she doesn't have any job. Every month on the day of salary she comes late. She always send her message with anybody. Today she has sent the message with you."

I was shocked by listening this and felt deeply sorry for her. I couldn't do anything for Madhuri as she was reveling in a dream from which nobody could wake her up.