As Seema settled on the chair in the Railways waiting room, she got a message from her boss reminding her of the meeting the next day. He had almost cancelled her fifteen days leave because of this meeting. Her bangles tickled as she quickly texted him back assuring him that she remembered and would be on time for the meeting.
She had taken the leave to relax and visit a few cities she had always wanted to visit. This time she had chosen the state of Punjab for her holidays and she was rejuvenated after her trip. She had spent the last two days in Chandigarh and was now waiting for her train to New Delhi.
There was a man, not much older than her, already sitting on the next chair. A group of people had clustered some chairs in a circle not far from where she sat and were chatting ceaselessly. From what she could discern, they were on a holiday trip and by the sound of it their trip was going marvelously. She had always imagined going on a holiday with a group of friends but sadly her plans had never materialised. Maybe some day. A young boy, perhaps fifteen or sixteen years old, was playing Bollywood songs on his phone. For Seema, it was like background music to the conversation of the group.
“Hi.” The man sitting next to her said. He had a pleasant face and looked tall. He was wearing a light perfume and smelled something like something woody, maybe cedar she thought.
“Hello.” She replied. She did not remember when was the last time a stranger had started a conversation with her. In her defence, she spent so much time working she hardly had any time to socialize with new people other than go out with her friends.
“I am Ankit.”
“I am Seema.”
“I am waiting for my train to Mumbai. Where are you going?”
“I am going to New Delhi.”
Ankit was eating a laddoo and the smell of roasted coconut coming from them was irresistible. He offered her the laddoos from his box but she declined. “I don’t accept food from strangers.” She thought about taking out the packet of cookies she had in her handbag.
“Understandable,” he said. “Well, let’s change that. I’m Ankit Gupta. I work for Catalyst Cement Limited in their marketing department. I like talking to people and making friends. I believe my Mom makes the best laddoos in this world and I would like you to try one.”
“Sure,” Seema laughed as she took one. The laddoo was made of roasted coconuts and cashews and was tasty. “This is delicious. Your Mom most certainly has magic in her hands.”
“I’ll pass on your compliments to her. Have one more.”
“Now tell me something about yourself. ” He said as she helped herself to one more laddoo.
“Well, My name is Seema Khanna. I work for Synergy Ascent Consultants. I live in New Delhi.”
“Tell me something about your likes, dislikes, fear.” Ankit said.
“Wow! You were serous about talking.
OK. I like rains. I love the sound of rain falling, the sweet smell of soil as first of the rain water hits it. I hate the sell of cigarette smoke. I just can’t stand it.
Now your turn.” Seema finished.
“Well, I too like the rains but only if I don’t have to venture out. I hate the sound of car horns and I love old Bollywood songs. I am scared of forests; their endlessness overwhelms me. I love to eat, specially sweets.”
They continued their conversation, hearing about each other’s likes and dislikes, their lives. They were getting along so well, nobody watching them talk could have said they had met for the first time in this waiting room. Suddenly Seema heard the announcement for arrival of her train to New Delhi. She sighed and picked up her bags to prepare to go.
“Can I have your number or your social media details? I would like to stay in touch with you.” Ankit said as she was getting up.
“You know my name and my company. I’m sure you can find me if you look hard enough.” Seema smiled and winked at him as she turned around and left to board her train.
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