The moment the crackling sound of the wheels became loud and clear, Rupak’s heart would race faster. Nowadays, his train journeys have become special. For a young chap, who was born and brought up in the small town of Chittaranjan, these trains have always been significant. The small town boasted of the locomotive factory and its railroads were the gateways for its inhabitants to the outside world.

He has heard innumerable stories connected with this place and most of them had a connection with rails. He became conversant about the ways the robbers in ancient times who plundered the malgadis, how the British Sepoys commuted through trains, how often persons of eminence travelled by railways. He grew up hearing the hammering and clasping in the factory areas, played cricket in the yards and their favourite lukachupi venue was the car shed. Having grown up in a city surrounded by trains, Rupak’s life like its other dwellers was intertwined with the carriages which plied in and beyond the small town. But this boon of civilization had an overwhelming surprise in store for the young lad.

Rupak secured admission in Chittaranjan Engineering College. His college days ushered in the days of freedom and amid the wave of changes he felt in him a deep tender emotion. It was not a gush of ecstasy but a delicate joy akin to a soft breeze gently caressing the fluffy grass. Her doe-eyed charm used to tickle him pleasantly. When he noticed her giggling with a bunch of friends, his heart skipped a beat. She was not a local.

Rhea, Rhea was her name. The svelte, gregarious and lovely girl. Rupak really was infatuated with her. He often tried to talk to her but was too shy to cut the ice. He could not express his feelings towards her to anyone, let alone Reah. When his friends gossiped about her, he felt uneasy but refrained to display attention or rage. Rhea stayed at the outskirts of the town as a paying guest. Rupak often used to wander aimlessly around her house in the evenings just to catch a glimpse of her. Time and again, he would prod with his bicycle in the crowded area near her house and furtively glance at her window or balcony. She was rarely visible. Even if Rupak managed a view, it would hardly be for a few moments. She would either be fidgeting with her mobile or would rush to the balcony to collect the dried clothes oblivious to her silent admirer. In college, their eyes met a few times but nothing transpired. She was graduating in the electro-mechanical section and Rupak was in the civil department. Apart from the gatherings in the auditoriums or chance encounters in cafeteria, they were hardly together in the same space. Poor Rupak!

However, local trains provided a new avenue for the cupid struck boy. Rhea used to travel by trains to the college. Rupak gave his bicycle a rest. His everyday routine now typically consisted of leaving early for college and boarding a train to the station where Rhea used to board. He would wait for her at the destined station and when she arrived, he followed her to the compartment. Many a times she recognized him and smiled. Every time Rupak felt like approaching her for a chat but could not muster enough courage. They exchanged glances, smiles but never spoke a word. After she reached home, Rupak would travel back all alone sipping the sweet memories he earned during the journeys of the day.

This went on almost for a couple of weeks. “She must have guessed it by now,” he thought. "Women are extremely adept in picking up these cues." Each day the poor chap resolved to disclose his feelings to her but it turned out to be the same old story. He merely behaved like her harmless shadow. However, he was secretly relishing this delicate feeling of repressed love. Rupak began to admire everything around. The moment the train sirens rang loud, it kind of rejuvenated his senses. He was familiar with the rail rides yet the love which blossomed inside made everything around anew.

It was in the late April when the first trace of thunderstorms lurked in the skyline. The clouds were gearing up for a storm. When the classes were about to break, a heavy downpour embellished with furious thunder and lightning commenced. The students were waiting inside the college campus for the menace to cease. The wait continued for almost an hour and the atmosphere became a bit tense. Rhea looked nervous too. Rupak was observing her. She was definitely worried about getting late due to the bad weather.

“Don’t worry, I will escort you safely even if it turns too late,” he muttered inside. He got lost for a while. Can there be a better time than now to confide to her? The wildest of seas makes the strongest of sailors. Isn’t this tempestuous backdrop ideal for the Knight to lay bare his soul? Two hearts soaked in the splashes of nature’s tumult would be surrendering to the bond of love in the middle of the chaos all around - isn’t it too romantic a moment to occur?

The rains dragged further for an hour. When it mellowed down, everyone rushed outside. Rupak followed Reah. She was briskly walking towards the Station Road along with an equally paced crowd. The station was overcrowded, muddy and people were eagerly waiting for the trains to arrive. Reah took the over bridge and Rupak followed suit. Everyone seemed to be in a state of frenzy. Rupak bumped into a fat guy who was in a hurry to reach the stairs. Reah strode with greater speed ignoring the inconveniences and took the steps to reach the Platform No 3. She did spot Rupak but could not manage an expression. She was clearly a bit panicked. They had to leave a couple of trains.

People were thrusting themselves inside the compartments and a good number of passengers dangled outside. Needless to say, Rhea did not even try to accommodate herself inside the choc-a-bloc carriages. Half an hour passed in the process. She was constantly glancing at her wristwatch, adjusting her hair every now and then which by no means appeared dishevelled. Rupak stood a bit close to her as if to proclaim mutely his presence. Rhea saw him but did not pay any heed again.

Rupak faintly spoke “The next train probably won’t be too crowded”. He was almost holding his breath while uttering these words. Rhea turned around. For the first time, they were looking into each other directly. Rupak was apprehensive but she didn’t react much. Instead She seemed to ponder over the wet and lonely track.

“She didn’t give a damn,” mused Rupak. But he observed one thing. Rhea wasn’t visibly restless now. May be he has been able to comfort her a bit or was he overestimating his abilities?

The next train arrived like a sigh of relief. As expected it wasn’t overcrowded. Rhea went inside and took the window seat. There was ample seating space but Rupak preferred to stand near the exit. He was looking at her continuously. She was gazing outside sporting a blank expression on her face. The train was about to start and the calmness was intruded by a boisterous group which made a last moment entry. They were a group of office goers, six to seven in number and were daily passengers of this route. The gang  has suffered the delay too and were vocal among themselves about it. They were in their mid-thirties or early forties and sort of boarded the same compartment everyday. Rupak knew couple of them by face. The train left the station and the group looked to settle. They started occupying their 'fixed' first two rows when one of them, a tall and moustached man noticed Reah. He queerly looked at her and spoke with an air of gravity, “Excuse me, Ma'am, this is our seat."

Initially Reah did not notice but when the man urged once more. She blurted out firmly, "But I came here first." A couple among the gang began to argue with her citing their propriety over the concerned seat but Reah refused to yield to their demands. By that time, the seats in the compartment were filled up and the new bunch was witnessing the altercation. Rhea thought of leaving the seat but when she realised that none of the seats were empty, she refused to move. The men were getting unruly but she became adamant too. They even threatened her but she was too brave to surrender to such vile manners.

Then a bespectacled thin man from the group who was just sitting besides Reah chuckled and told in a nasal tone, “Hang on guys. I can fix this bitch in a minute." He cleared his throat as if he was about to deliver a lecture. Then he took out his mobile phone and dialled a number. After a few seconds, he spoke in a jovial mood, “Hello Pinky, are you there”?

Not sure what the reply at the other end was but the man continued.

“Pinky, my Darling, I will be going to your house tomorrow. Mommy, Papa won’t be there na?"

“Good, Good,” he paused. Then with a spurt he exclaimed, “I will fuck you my darling. I will bang you really hard my sweetheart!"

The scums broke off in a peel of laughter. Reah’s eyes welled up. She was literally shivering in disgust. The poor girl felt humiliated to the core. Rupak turned livid. His fists seemed to crush the iron rod he was holding on to. He felt like beating up the scoundrels but they were a group. “Will I be able to overpower them?” he doubted. He was desperately trying to shield Reah from this embarrassment but could do nothing about it. Like the whole carriage, he became a mute spectator of the despicable act of the filthy lot.

The rascal who did carry out such a cheap act once again resumed “Oh, my sweet baby. You are on periods. Alas!" The laugh riot of the demons accentuated in appreciation of the squalor and Reah could not withstand it any longer. She was already sobbing and scampered towards the exit corner. She did cross Rupak during the run but the latter could hardly move. He felt benumbed and helpless, unable to resist and incapable of consoling too. Everything which was so familiar till now for the boy who loved trains seemed to be estranged.

The next station came. None came in, none went out of the compartment. Rhea was crying profusely. Just when the siren was about to blow, Rupak went out and hastily proceeded towards the platform exit.