The date - concluded

Previously...

Scene 5: 9:20pm. Egmore railway station.

After confirming the platform where the train would stop, I went to get myself a platform ticket. While returning, I saw that my sister had sent me a message.

'I am at Mambalam now. Can you pick me up at 9.45?' it said. I checked my watch. It was almost 9.30. I called her.

'Where are you?'

'I am at Palavanthangal.'

'You take an auto and go home. I am at Egmore.'

'What are you doing at Egmore?'

'I will tell you when I reach home.'

Roopali said she wanted to call her friends and went off to look for a phone booth. I called Supriya. After getting briefed on what happened so far, Supriya asked if I bought a box of Nutties. I hadn't. I looked around and saw a cart selling biscuits.

'I could get her a packet of Little Hearts', I replied cheekily. The neighbouring platform had a small shop. Maybe they sell chocolates.

After Roopali returned, I made a flimsy excuse and went to the shop. The shopkeeper did not have Nutties. I figured Dairy Milk would do the trick.

On returning to the platform, I quietly stood behind to her.

'I saw you coming. You did not scare me.' she said.

I grinned. 'Show me your hand.'

She looked puzzled, but put her hand out. I put two bars of Diary Milk.

'Cho sweet!' she squealed. Before I could react, she enveloped me in a tight hug.

Err... not that I minded, but still.

She didn't notice my ears turning a light shade of red.

'I couldn't get Nutties, so I got these.'

'How did you know I like chocolates with nuts?'

'Supriya told me to buy you a box.'

It was almost 10pm and her train was nowhere to be seen. Roopali began to get impatient. One thing led to another and soon we were swapping horror stories about the Indian Railways.

Scene 6: 10:00pm. Home.

Meanwhile, my sister reached home and I became the topic of conversation once again.

'What is Edward doing at Egmore?'

'Egmore? What is he doing at Egmore? He told me he is at Central!'

'I don't know. He called me to say that he was at Egmore and that he wouldn't say why till he got home.'

'He told me the same thing! I thought he went to Central to see his friend off.'

Scene 7: 10:20pm. Egmore railway station.

The train finally pulled into the station. Suddenly the lights in the station went out. Only the train was lit. It was eerie, but strangely exciting. And I felt like screaming excitedly. But like all times, better sense prevailed.

Power was soon restored and the station was brightly lit once again. We got into Roopali's compartment and put her luggage in. But the train was in no hurry to leave.

Roopali felt I should return home. Moreover, I had to return to Central to get my bike. I decided to stay till the train left. And the trains to Park were few and far between.

Soon a train to Park rumbled into the station. But I felt I did not have enough time to switch platforms and board it. Moreover, her train showed no signs of leaving in spite of many announcements over the public address system.

We moved from one seat to another, and moving from one topic of conversation to another. Languages, ethnicity and this and that.

Every 15 minutes or so, Roopali would suggest I leave.

'You took me to dinner. You bought me chocolates. You did everything Supriya said you would. And it is getting late. You should go now.'

'Well, I need to go to Central and there is no train here that will take me to Park. And I don't want to leave you alone. I am going to stay till the train leaves. I will take an auto or walk to Park from here. It isn't far.'

'And if the train leaves at 5.30 in the morning? Will you stay till then?'

'Maybe not. If I know the train will leave...'

I left it hanging and she fell silent.

Fatigue was getting to both of us. Roopali yawned every few minutes. Soon I was yawning as well. Nothing could be worse than not yawning to your heart's content and leaving behind an unsatisfied feeling.

It was past 11pm. I realised I should be leaving, even though I did not want to. And there wasn't any train towards Park. I was resigned to the idea of taking an auto to Park when we heard a train rumbling in the distance.

'There is your train. Take it.' Roopali said.

I did not argue.

'We will meet again', she said as we shook hands. I was about to turn and run when she said, 'You are coming to Bangalore in February, right?'

'How did you know that?' I asked even as I realised how. 'Yes, I am'. I knew I wanted to meet her again. I turned and ran to the connecting bridge.

The train rumbled past me to a stop as I made my way down the platform. I could see Roopali watching me from the other side. I got into a compartment and turned to wave to her. She mouthed 'thank you' and pretended to yawn again. I smiled and turned inside. Time to call home.

When I took my mobile out, I found it ringing. It was Mama Hyde.

'Where are you? And what is taking you so long?'

'I just left Egmore. I am going to Park. I will take my bike from the parking lot at Central. I should be home by 12.30.'

Scene 8: 11:50pm. Madras Central parking lot.

With a goofy expression on my face, I walked to the parking lot thinking of Roopali and the night. I could not remember the last time I enjoyed myself like this.

I reached my bike and got my stuff ready... only to realise that I lost the parking ticket again. I frantically searched all my pockets and my bag. Again and again. Still no ticket. I knew it was going to be difficult to convince the guy at the entrance. Escaping meant only one way, and I decided to try it.

I got ready and started my bike. I slowly moved towards the exit. As the guy stretched his hand to take the ticket from me, I revved the bike and shot out of there yelling, 'I lost it'.

I conjured up images of a high-speed chase. Traffic cops in Qualises chasing me on my bike. Sharp turns, screeching skids and... when it struck me that it was time to take a U-turn. So much for my imagination.

The car in front of me turned left and for no rhyme or reason, I followed suit to find myself on the bridge to the Egmore station. I paused by the turn to the station not knowing what to do. The train was still standing there. I was about to turn towards the station when my mind jumped in.

'You said you would be at home by 12.30am. And how would it look if you hurried into the station only to find her not on the platform, or worse, the train leaving the platform? Go home. You have done the best you can.'

It made sense. I left reluctantly. The long roads were empty. No highway patrols to stop me.

Scene 9: 12:20 am. Home.

'What took you so long? You said you would be home by 11', Mama Hyde demanded.

'It's a long story.' I said. 'I went on a date', I added with a grin.

Concluded.