Platform No 1

          Platform No 1 was almost empty… very few people were loitering around. Eshu climbed up the stairs with a big travel bag. The day was fast the sudden announcement of the holiday didn’t give her time to book the ticket; she was cursing the authorities for the same. When her inner mind was calculating the probability of getting a single seat in the general compartment. Suddenly she heard Priya asking her something.

Priya: hey de did you checked the platform no in which the West coast express would arrive.
Eshu: Hmm why to check de..by default it will arrive in platform No 1.

          They reached the platform and started walking towards the end of the platform while Priya filled her hand bag with all those magazines, snacks, chocolate bars. Eshu was too tired by that the long walk carrying her luggage from the hostel to the bus stand, standing in the bus for around one whole hour to reach the junction. She was barely able to walk, but she walked fast to reach the compartment to get seats for both of them. She didn’t notice anything coming on her way while Priya kept commenting on few couples sitting on the platform seat and exchanging looks at each other. Eshu didn’t care much she asked Priya to walk fast.

          Suddenly she felt a gush of adrenaline running all over her body, her hand chilled, her heart started beating fast, in a fraction of second her entire body turned very cold as though she suddenly jumped into the artic circle. She was not able to believe what she was seeing. She opened her eyes wide to realize if she is dreaming. Yes it was him. She can identify him in a group of hundred thousand people. Her nerves tightened her vocal chord crashed she could barely utter a word. Her face turned pink. Yes it was him whom she had admired all these days. Her inner self have already started pressing her to go and talk to him. But how could she? Although she sees him daily walking, talking, arguing among his mates she had never spoken to him before. She cursed herself many times for not talking to him before. She was afraid; she doesn’t know how he would react. He is not a man of that type who gives importance to gals.

          When she neared compartment no 13 she stopped. How can she walk crossing him without trying to talk to him? Her legs refused to move. Suddenly Priya shouted and waved her hand to someone. Eshu moved a few steps to check who it is. It is Vijay Priya’s classmate. He got down from the compartment. Hey Eshh you know Vijay rite?? Asked Priya. Hmm yes de I know him. Vijay introduced Priya to Rajeev. And turned to Eshu asking if she needs an intro to Rajeev. Eshu felt like hitting him hard for his sarcastic question. It should be Priya who would have told him about that. Rajeev smiled at Eshu. Soon they three started conversing pulling each other’s legs. Eshu was alone fighting with her emotions she patiently pretended as if she is listening to their conversation. Soon Priya and Vijay started talking about the happenings in their class. Rajeev felt that Eshu is uncomfortable. He initiated the conversation

Rajeev: So where do u stay in Chennai.
Eshu: Ashok Nagar
Rajeev: Hey that’s so close to my house.
Eshu: oh is it? That’s great.
Rajeev: Then how about ur family?
Eshu: …
Rajeev: ….

          The conversation went on for a while and Eshu reminded that Rajeev had won a interlevel college competition few weeks back. Her heart forced her to congratulate him. But she was hesitant… But her inner self forced her…

Eshu: Hey I totally forgot about this,
Rajeev: About what??
Eshu: U won the inter-level competition recently rite???
Rajeev: Oh that one ah… hmm yeah…
Eshu: Congratulation for that.

         She took her soft gentle hand and held it in front of Rajeev. Rajeev gave his hands and she congratulated him. She almost free zed… dreams crossing horizon... She felt like holding it for her lifetime. But she was confused what type of feeling it is…. Is that just because of her age… or is this called as love??? Infatuation??? Just a attraction??? She was confused but didn’t show it in her face and smiled at him. Priya interrupted their conversation saying hey no plans of catching a seat or what???… Eshu then told a bye to him and walked with lot of thoughts running in her mind… butterflies flying in the stomach. Her hand was still cold... She got into the ladies compartment and got a window seat to fight with her dreams…