Encounters (Part VI) Mr. Attitude

Despite of that hectic rain and tiresome traffic, Teddy and I rushed to the railway station. I thought I would miss my train but for heaven’s sake we reached in time. My B1- 31 lower berth made me a bit unhappy. The thought of insecurity was popping out of my brain. I troubled Teddy to do his “negotiation” with TTR to shift me to upper berth.
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With his white pants and shirt and a black blazer on it, the TTR resembled a penguin roaming with specs and notebook. We submitted our grievance to the TTR almighty. Keeping the standard arrogance of a public servant in voice, he told us to ask those who are coming in.
We waited for those people who are coming to share the compartment with me. Our eyes were busy looking for “those people” among the crowd. I had a secret prayer that “those people” should be a family.
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A man in black with specs got in with some luggage. Teddy asked him politely with all his managerial skills “See, my friend is travelling alone. But unfortunately she has got lower berth. Can you pls adjust down and give her the upper berth?”
The man in black responded, “No”. I looked at Teddy annoyed. Teddy winked at me to keep quiet. He again pleaded, “Only this night you have to adjust and you know, it would be difficult for a girl to sleep down safely”. The man in black replied “Sorry”. This time I lost my control, I said, “See man, I am a girl traveling all alone, can’t you adjust for one night?” The man in black coldly with full attitude said “Even we have ladies with us”. Then I saw his entire family, a girl (probably his sister), aunt (his mom), a tall uncle (for sure his dad), short uncle (can be another co passenger) and an old lady (grandma) getting in. Seeing his dad I elbowed Teddy. Teddy got alert! He asked that tall uncle “Sir, she is traveling alone, can you give her upper berth?”  ofcourse, I added a little sentiments, “It would be difficult for grandma to climb up, so I can shift to upper berth and she can sleep on mine” Uncle smiled at our confusion or what I don’t know. He said “ok..not a problem”. I just threw my bag on the upper berth and we both ran out before he could change his decision. Teddy bought a bottle of water for me and bid a bye with instructions given below

1. Don’t eat or drink from strangers (I ate only sweets and drank Pepsi from others)
2. Don’t come and stand near the door (I spent only 5 hours there)
3. Don’t get down unless it is necessary (no, I didn’t do that)
4. Don’t talk too much (Talking who?? me?? I know only the people who travelled in my compartment and the other two compartments adjacent to mine)
5. Don’t reveal any information about you to anyone (No, I just gave my address and phone number)
6. Don’t get your mobile battery discharged listening songs (It got discharged. Not my fault)
7. That boy looks good. Don’t flirt with him (This one was the funniest. Well, I did)

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I returned to the compartment. I looked at everyone. Only Tall uncle smiled. I looked at the Man in black with a little irritation in my mind. He was looking like a bit of mentally retarded with his three-fourth and T-shirt. The frame of his specs was purple in colour (isn’t it girlish?). He had got short spikes. (What a combo?  a geek in yo yo style?? He was listening to songs with a ‘care- a-damn’ attitude. Whatever.. i pretend im not bothered.

The girl (sister) was sitting next to him. She was fiddling with her UNO cards but seemed a little gloomy. I tried talking to her.. no way.. She cared a shit!. I went up and slept…
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The next day morning! There was nothing special. I was totally into my books. I finished one and took another “Agatha Christie’s ‘A murder is announced’. Oh my god I stopped it in the beginning itself. It was so boring. I got down and sat there for a while. Short uncle started talking to me. He asked my whereabouts and I found it interesting to talk to him. After sometime, with aunt (his mom) also I got into a conversation. Pointing Mr. Attitude, she started “ He doesn’t like home food much. He fools around with his friends all over Pune. He comes to Camp (where my office was) also. He is doing his final year engineering” and she went on and on. I could see Mr. Attitude getting a little uneasy about it. He walked off! I don’t know why but I was not mad at him anymore. Was just checking out what he was doing. He was like a fish out of water. So restless! He kept going out and coming back. And once he stood right in front of his grandma. He was such a giant in front of that poor old lady. She screamed, “You go from here, I’m sacred when you come near me as you may hurt me”. I giggled. Suddenly he turned to me and I looked out of my window controlling my amusement. He was so offended and he said, “I’m not doing anything. I’m just standing here”
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Afternoon: I got along with all of them except Mr. Attitude. I got two more kidos from the other compartment and we started playing UNO. Some of us are not quite familiar with the game. One kido got so irritated when he lost the game and Mr. Attitude reached for his help. Kido started winning all the games with Mr. Attitude. After sometime kido left and we exchanged our plac as Mr. Attitude came to my place and I went to where he was sitting. He played satisfactorily but could not accomplish first place later on. He started cursing my place. I got to know more about the game and started playing well. Bloody hell, he was always a challenge for me. Even if he finished with his cards, he would accurately guess and say it loud which card was there in my hands to help others. I felt like kicking him.

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Night: Slowly we started talking, teasing and betting. I had dinner with his family (he paid for it). I could not see a tinge of attitude in him that time or ever since. He even made that kido call me “Mandi” which means fool in Malayalam. I named him pandu, the copyrighted name for those who are unique.

We made our bunk- bed to sleep but could not find our blankets. He went to the assistant and got only five blankets. (Pig he did not get one for me) but offered me his (tried to impress??) I refused it because I didn't have any intention to sleep. I got down and started my notangi. I tried to record Short uncle snoring on my mobile. That was fun. But this pandu spoilt it. He was not sleeping. He asked me “what the hell are you doing?” I winked at him. He smiled and asked “you are not sleeping?” I said “no”. “Go and sleep now, you have to get up in the morning” he forced. I got on my bed and tried to sleep… but my phone rang on top of its voice “I’m in your lower left jacket pocket…..” it was him.. I looked at him puzzled.

I had not called Teddy since there was no coverage. I called him up and reminded him to wake me up. By the time I hung up, this pandu was not there. I stepped down and got to see him at the door.
I can say our friendship started there.. We talked till I got down at Thrissur. It's easier to say what we haven't talked that night.. our subjects were more of childhood, relationship, friends, parents and future .. we chatted as if we were some lost friends met after 50 years. I missed him on the way from station to home. Didn’t expect that I would meet this Goodnight pandu ever in my life again!
Thanks to Purna Express B1-31 Lower Berth