The call on the train

 

Vande Bharat is my favourite train. Just one hour of peaceful, quiet, comfortable journey - to and from Ernakulam / Thrissur.

On my journey back to Ernakulam this morning, a particular tourist from North India decided to make a video call to her family back in ‘Dilli’.

“Haan ji… now we are now going to Ko-chi. Then ‘Munna-rr’, Kovalam. Natural massage bhi hai.

Bahut beautiful hai. Green, green.”

I stopped reading the complimentary newspaper left behind by the previous occupants of my seat. A shocked child in the far end even stopped crying hearing her thundering voice.

“No, no. Yeh flight nahi hai. Vande Bharat hai. 

Simply mein ne goggles pehena.”

Why wear goggles inside train to make phone call? No one knows.

Her husband also joined in on the conversation with a boisterous laugh.

Proud to be in “Karela”. 

“Bahut atcha hai.”

The whole compartment heard her itinerary and we all understood the reason for her call. 

What else? Create envy.

But sadly, the people on the other end were not in Delhi, but in Mussoorie.

I thought this would end our suffering. But, no.

“Birthday girl ko bulavo”, was the next demand.

My irritation barometer was peaking. Why can’t people use ear-phones and keep their volume down? Don’t they understand it is a form of #respect ?

When the #birthday girl joined the call from the hill station up north, this lady wished her a very happy birthday.

From two rows behind her, I too joined in wishing the child. I shouted a booming “very happy birthday, beta”.

The expression of the people seated beside me and in front was so priceless. 🤣🤣

I got offered free cookie & coffee by my co-passenger!

- Anuradha Harish