The smile that made my day...

On the way to Central station on a suburban train...

     The sleepless night was catching up on me, I could tell. I closed my eyes for a while and almost lost myself to unconsciousness but was brought back to the grim surroundings of the station platform by the chugging of the train. I looked around; the station was packed. I huddled towards a group of women so that I could follow them into the ladies compartment. As the train came to a stop, I didn't have to do anything but let myself move because the crowd was moving me in. 

     I found myself standing by the door next to a woman who probably worked day and night to feed the little child that clung to her pallu like it was a lifeline. She was wearing a simple sari that clung to her weak body. She was carrying a jholna and a tiny purse. She wore no jewellery except for the yellow string symbolic of marriage in the Hindus around her neck. I couldn't understand why but as I stood by that door looking at her, I felt a surge of sadness. I felt like I was looking into an image of my country. I wished there were some way I could help her. Perhaps feeling my attention on herself, she turned to look at me.    I managed to give her a small smile which she returned with an effort. 

    At the next station a lot of the passengers left the train and we found seats for us. She sat opposite me and pulled a plastic cover out of her bag. It was filled with buds of the Jasmine flowers. She started taking two buds at a time and winding them together with a string . She did it with such certainty and grace that I could tell she did this for a living. How she fed herself and her child with as much as she could possibly earn from this work, I couldn't imagine. The child sat beside her and was staring out the window . He seemed nothing older than 5 years but his eyes had a weary look in them. Like he had seen much more than a child his age shouldn't even dream of...

As I sat across her, I could feel the weight of the difference that shouldn't have existed between us. Had she felt that I was just as ordinary as she was, she might've spoken to me and we might've even become friends along this short journey much like many others. But I could see the barrier she put up between us to make sure we couldn't communicate. Looking at her I felt a sense of selfish gratefulness for what peace and serenity I had in my life and wished that she would get the same in days to come..So she may not have to suffer as she does now much longer in her life. I added a little tag to my wish to God that this time I am not wishing for something for myself so it be grant as soon as possible; that she deserved it..
    When I opened my eyes after my silent prayer I saw her get off the train at that station, as I watched through the window. The little child turned and looked me in the eye and gave me such a bright and happy smile that as the train started picking up speed I laid back on seat with a growing warmth in my heart, closed my eyes and whispered 'Thank You God...'