1st Train Journey...The Santhosh Express

  

        This short time of my life is relaxing...  i thought i should brush my old memories & keep myself away from books by which I'm dog tired studying for past 6 months. Now i'm browsing my hard disk which have dump of photos (Which long back i digitized myself using  Cam). The folder has bunch of mixed pics of my Dad Mom pre-marriage & post marriage. There are few pics in which Dad wears Big Bell bottom Pants a big cooler which covers not only his eyes it cover his cheeks too... ha haa. My dad is fortunate to work for Indian Railways & has travelled across the country. So even his post marriage days it continued. so train is inseparable from my family

   With this thought I just tried to remember my 1st journey in train though i may not know my very 1st Journey but this one i still remember with all fascination as my first journey.. so here is my 1st Train journey

     

      I should not be more than 4yrs of age. Me dad & mom in a coupe. i exactly don't remember to which place we traveled. But not too long and a day journey. That was a monsoon time. it rains heavily from the time we board the train. it was not at all fun as a kid to sit inside a coupe with doors shut windows shut. I was simply watching rain droplets falling in glass windows & trying to get my hands wet. It was bit of an enjoyment & my only option to entertain myself until my dad say no to it :(. It was a boredom to see the same faces mom dad. It was like train journey is very boring dislike train journey to the core & not to board a train again.

     

    Then switched off myself to sleep. Then Few hours later my dad woke me up to make me ready to deboard as we nearing our station. The rain has stopped it was bit dark for a normal evening with  the sweet smell of the rain hit soil was refreshing my mind to forget what happened few hrs ago. I ran to the opened window pressing my cheek toward the grill expecting something . i felt cool breeze with aroma i closed my eyes took a deep breath & felt freshness of the air. I continued closing my eyes  felt the breeze caressing my face i loved it. I heard a different sound of the train which wasn't usual . i opened my eyes to see  but nothing appeared

    

     I asked my dad whats that sound ?

     He said, It should be the steam engine coming from the other side ?

     I asked him Innocently wont it hit our train ? (DAMMAL)

     He gave a smile...My mom laughed loud

     Come lets jump out of the train

     This time both laughed aloud.. :)

    

     I asked why do you laugh ?

     Though my dad knows how the system works. its quite difficult to make me understand. But he gave an answer not so convincing but he made sure we are safe.

     fweeeeh...chhik chik!!!!

     I ran to the window tried finding out but nothing appeared, then ran to different windows viewing from different angles still couldn't find anything. Train Slowed a bit as it nears the station. Now the sound is so clear more evident. This time more eagerly pressing my cheeks to the window hoping to see it. My face shrinks in dismay i couldn't find anything but still sticking to window like a lizard. The train enters the station platform...

   

    The Fweeeeh....Chhik chik.... this time was so loud & vigour I saw the steam engine approaching from the other side in a parallel track with fweeeehhhhhing whistle sound & vapour spewed around in the air makes the view like a mist passing in a valley   

   I shouted dad!!! look at this..

    I was so excited by seeing that ... The full black steam engine bigger than a normal engine emits black fumes the evening pleasant sun rays passing through the fumes was enigmatic. It comes towards me was like the elephant in the African jungle runs on seeing its calf with lots of happiness. I was totally awestruck by seeing that, my eye balls hesitant to move.. my ears cud only hear to hush & husky sound of the engine..It slowly came close to my compartment it pick up speed  blowing its typical horn & coal burns above its head, my heart too started pumping blood so fast i started jumping in joy clapping hands..as it reaches nearly parallel to me it was like real heaven. It husks husks vapour blows it was cinematic. the man in the engine waved his hands seeing me so happy with smiles i waved back saying tada as it passes me :)

     My train halted with a creak pulled my mind from the African elephant gone passed.. so its time to deboard, my dad held my hand pulled me off from window i wasn't in a mood to deboard the train. i felt why shouldn't this journey be never ending. Got down walking in the platform holding my dad's hand waving on the other hand to the 1st train journey with no heart to leave.