One of a Kind ‘See Off’

Some sights, some moments have everlasting impressions on us such that even after years, it feels afresh. These moments may or may not belong to us, but still, we can feel the feelings associated with them. Most of us try to capture these moments in whichever way possible. With the ease in the accessibility to cameras, these days, it’s mostly through photography. Isn’t it true that every picture is ingrained with a certain story or emotion?

Part- I

It was early in January, 4th Jan perhaps, when I was on my way to drop my brother at New Delhi Railway Station. He was on his way back home after finishing his semester exams via Mahabodhi Express which was scheduled in the afternoon. The train was standing at the platform and was to depart on time. I rushed to the destined coach number while steering through the huge crowd and my brother followed me. Luckily, we reached in time. Some fifteen minutes were still remaining. I stood momentarily near the gate to catch my breath. A sight, though not unusual, drew my attention. A girl and a boy in their early twenties, coeval to me, were standing close, facing each other. I could locate two bouquets in their hands, alike and weaved with roses majorly. Their faces were sullen and appeared as if overpowered by the pain of separation. I could feel that the separation must be of longer duration, the one in which there is this ‘uncertainty’ of meeting again. While I was lost in their world, my brother poked me to step inside the coach.

Coincidently, my brother’s berth was toward the side of the platform. I could still see them from the window. The glass of the window is such that you can view outside but the vice versa doesn’t apply. I had my wish. The duo mostly kept quiet. Though they used to exchange a few words occasionally, gestures and emotions did the rest of the job. Isn’t it the practical experience of all of us- at such moments, the choice of words betrays us?

The time of the departure approached swiftly. The driver moved the train back and forth slowly to check the brakes. After bidding ‘Happy Journey’ to my brother, I came out of the coach. I earnestly wanted to go home but the time and the ticket didn’t allow me. After coming out, I stood at some point away from the tracks and waited for the train to depart. I learnt this from my father. He would wait till the departure of the train, first inside the compartment and then on the platform to wave his hand and say ‘goodbye’.

I was hesitant to look at them directly in order to avoid making them conscious. But since I was intrigued by the sight and the story behind it, I decided to follow it to the end. I stood at the back and pretended that I was looking into my cell phone but in between, I used to steal a glance of them.

They embraced each other and it lasted longer than normal. In this process, the girl burst into tears. The guy consoled her with the promise that they’ll meet soon. Meanwhile, the final horn for the departure blows. The boy kisses her forehead and jumps onto the train in slow and heavy steps. He stood at the gate of the coach with bouquet in his hand and seemed lost somewhere. The girl was standing on the platform with another bouquet in her hand, aligned with the guy. I was at their back.

My photographic sense intrigued me. Can there be a better shot than this?

Part- II

Since I took a snap without their permission, I felt a sense of regret later on. I wished I could’ve resisted at that point. On the other hand, I didn’t want to delete that picture as it held significant value, if not for me then for that girl. An idea then struck my mind. Why not give the picture to whom it belongs? With this thought, I did a quick survey of the surroundings only to find the girl 50 meters ahead of me and walking toward the direction of the exit. A small teddy bear hanging loose from her backpack made it easier to locate and follow her amidst the crowd. After taking a few quick steps, another thought plagued my mind. What if she didn’t like my intrusion into her privacy? What if she starts shouting amidst the crowd for clicking a picture without her permission? What if things don’t go as I expected? I’ll be doomed, right? After all, you can’t predict the mindset of anyone. My pace became slow. I was caught in a whirlpool of dilemmas. ‘To do or not to do’, that was the question. At that time, it became the most courageous task for me. I couldn’t come up with a decision even after covering a good distance- from platform to exit.

While I was lost in all this, I missed the sight of the girl. She disappeared somewhere in the huge crowd of people coming in and going out in numbers. Though this made my decision easier, I grew disappointed by the ‘missed opportunity’ of making someone happy. Also, the value that the picture carried was immense. It was of no any use to me but certainly to her. But what’s not done on time is undone. I tried to keep these thoughts aside and strolled toward the metro station. I adjusted myself near the door in one of the coaches of the ever-crowded yellow line of the Delhi metro. The door got closed and every possibility of meeting that girl faded. To aloof myself from these thoughts, I plugged in my earphone and put some of my favourite tracks on a loop.

But…but.. wait! What’s this! The door is opening again. It’s not unusual in the Delhi metro. Someone might have obstructed the door’s passage. The door slid aside and a girl entered. I became dumbfounded at the sight. The supply of adrenaline in my body became abnormal. I could see the same girl standing in front of me. Her eyes appeared as if they have been irrigated with water. She was busy on her phone, perhaps exchanging the departing words with the boy. This isn’t just a casual coincidence. Fate was playing games. I decided to finish the unfinished task. I had less than two minutes to make a move as I had to get down at Rajiv Chowk which I did promptly.

“Excuse me,” I said to gain her attention.

“Yes,” she said in surprise and shifted her gaze toward me.

(Showing her the picture)

“Actually, I am sorry! I found this sight extremely beautiful and clicked this without your permission. Do you want me to delete it or should I share it with you”, I said and asked with a bit of nervousness.

Her eyes glowed followed by a smile on her face as she took a glance at the picture. “Please send me and thank you so much”, she said in a compassionate tone.

“How should I share it?”, I asked again.

“WhatsApp?”, she replied.

I sent her the picture before disembarking at my destined metro station. A series of ‘thank you’ followed.

I was in ecstasy the whole day!

-Shashank

PS: I edited the picture into a pencil sketch and blurred the face of the guy so that I can include it in this post but again, I couldn’t do it to maintain her privacy. I’ll leave it to you to imagine. However, if anyone wants to take a look at the edited version, they can meet me in person.