Manjistha - My journey with an Angel

Travel by Indian Railways has become miserable. Dirty compartments, security is practically non-existent, disabled unfriendly, ever stooping level of service by railway staff; and GOD bless if one visits the toilet. I'll save my criticism for another time but I hope DIDI (or the next Railway minister) will do something, sometime.

Anyways, so here I was travelling to my hometown after months, feeling nostalgic, stressed (thanks to local Delhi conveyance), but looking forward to a relaxing weekend at home. There was still some time for the train to depart, but I decided to settle down on my side lower berth, took out 'The story of my experiments with truth' and began to read Gandhiji's experiences and events in apartheid South Africa. Just as the train began its slow departure from the platform, I was joined by a sweet 4 yr old girl accompanied by her smartly dressed mother. Just one look at Manjistha (her name, that I came to know of later) told me that Gandhiji will have to wait for my return journey, as I was already lost in her black eyes and innocent charm.

They both settled opposite me and it wasn't long before I stuck a conversation with Manjistha's mother. As it turned out they were also from Gwalior and she knew a lot of people in my locality. Coincidently, she also knew a lot of professors from my engineering college as they had studied together. Thankfully though, she hadn't heard of my misdemeanors either in Gwalior or my college.

So, once the ice was broken and maa was at ease with the stranger, me and Manjistha started chatting. Soon she came over to my side of the berth and started playing with my mobile. I was amazed at this toddler's ability to learn the functions of such a complex technological gadget in a matter of mere minutes. After a snack break, we started singing poems and jingles together; she even told me a story about a dog called Comet. I was laughing and enjoying this so much that no passenger in the audible vicinity had any doubt about who the bigger kid was.

Manjistha got tired after a while and decided to snuggle into me for her nap, still holding onto my mobile in her hands. A tear formed in the corner of my eye as she hugged me in her sleep without any fear, trepidation or concern. What a fool I was to have missed this platonic bliss while T was there. I played with her hair while the angel slept in complete abandon to the earthly issues of time, money and resources; that me and her mother kept discussing.

The train was about to reach our destination when she woke up. She was feeling hungry and decided to munch popcorns. When I casually declined her offer, she pushed one right into my mouth and didn't lower her hand till I had finished eating it .......... 'Ek popcorn ka woh dana, sukh de gaya mujh ko manmaana'. I guess for children, kindness is impulsive. They know that what you give with all your heart return to you blessed and multiplied.

Unfortunately, like all times, this journey too came to an end as we reached Gwalior by late evening. As we started deboarding, I held her in my arms to save her from the in-rush. I bid adieu to Manjistha and her mother after we got down and started to head home. That little girl and her sweet hug will stay in my heart forever. Btw, her mother told me that Manjistha actually means a medicinal herb (could there be a better name). Who knows what she may grow up to be, but to me, Manjistha will always be an angel and a sweet memory of love and compassion.