An uneventful journey.

I had never hoped so hard for an interesting seat partner for my train journey.

I had never been so lucky either.

Sandy.
She was here, standing right besides my seat, with two huge bags. asking for S4, 47. She had reached the train just two minutes before it departed, no wonder she looked so confused and hassled. She was wearing casual clothes - jeans, with an orange-pinkish (but not fluorescent :-) ) t-shirt with STARS written on it. And, she looked pretty cute :-)

Over a McD burger and paranthas, we started talking. About stuff. She was also an engineering student, 3rd year, VJTI. And she was also in electronics engg. Well, I fancy myself more in communication and less of electronics, but the degree's same, its another story. Anyway, so this dudette was visiting some relatives in Indore. She lived in Bombay but preferred to live in the girls' hostel at vjti. Cool.

And we were up chatting late at night, till Surat was it? or was it Godhra? I dont remember. We had really interesting conversations. Beyond the IIT tag, thankfully. About movies, cartoon serials, favourite music, and ofcourse food. She's a big big foodie, am sure. Though not so much of an icecream lover as me, but she told me she loved pohe-jalebi and has it everytime she goes to Indore. Late at night, we also ended up talking about senti stuff. Boyfriends, heartbreaking stuff etc etc. Hehehe..

Woke up when we reached Nagda. Pleasant but slightly cold morning. I showed her some sketches I had made when I was sitting at McD previous evening. And by the time, we reached Ujjain, over a cup of tea, she had drawn me a lovely self-portrait, on the McD napkin. Cool. Though dunno why she insisted that I keep it in my bag for now.

Had pohe-jalebi at Ujjain. I preferred to call it my job treat. :D

Time flies when you most want it not to. Very very soon we reached Indore. I wanted to ask for her number, but it felt awkward. I haven't been too good at that previously. So, I thought, what the hell. I had a good time. I'll just wish her good luck and a nice time at her 3-day stay at her relatives. And go back and write this story which is almost unbelievable.

The goodbyes followed. But I distinctly remember the sparkle in her eyes, when she said, "I think we'll meet again someday..".

Cursing myself over my fear to ask for phone number, I got into an auto. I was just sitting, remembering the events of last 14 hours, I took out her sketch. And opened the folded napkin. On it, in a very beautiful handwriting, was written:

Call me later dude.
{Her mumbai phone no.}
Sandhya...