justread’s blog

Ravi was feeling very uncomfortable due to heavy rush in the train.It was jam packed.That too in the afternoon so many local passangers were traveling without ticket. So persons like him with valid reservation has to suffer. He thought of smoking a ciggarate;but restrained himself seeing the "no smoking warning" on the side wall.he tried to peep through the window, to see the greenery & get a little fresh air.

Ravi was going to Nagpur on a official tour.The train will reach at about 11 pm in the night.Wife Smita has already packed his dinner & some snacks for the journey.Even if he is eligible for a\c class travel,could not get the reservation;so he was forced to go in 2^nd class sleeper. But he really liked the sleeper class; Since his childhood he is accustomed with it. He feels comfortable in this classs,as he thinks here people talk to each other, mingle with each other, share their feeling with each other. So you never feel bore ,as you get so much new company.

Now the problem was how to eat in that atmosphere ? Ravi was feeling hungry & thirsty.It was hot & humid.One vendor with colddrinks came into the compartment,but bottles were not cool atall;' why to drink that (hot) colddrink' .a passenger sitting next to Ravi asked.

It is better to have lassi,nariyal pani(cocunut water) or plain water in this condition than colddrinks ;some other fellow passanges remarked. Ravi took out a bottle of water from his bag,opened the cap & was about to drink; Suddenly he heard a voice with strange accent ; "Is it mineral water ? I forgot to bring one. you know I am from LA United States of Aamerica. I can't drink outside water .u know".

Ravi looked upwards;saw a strange looking creature with funnyhairdo & joker like clothes talking to him.He thought this NRI was putting more thurst on America while pronouncing. Before Ravi could say anything the co -passenger , sitting next to him took the bottle from his hand & tasted the water and told ,"yes it is MINERAL WATER. See the lebel & moreover ravibabu also will not drink outside water."He passed the bottle to that NRI. After a few drinks he gave back half bottle to ravi saying, "I shall purchage a bottle for you & thanks"
Suddenly a small girl who sitting on her mother's lap shouted "maa, I want water.bring water now". "just wait for few moments, station is coming.we will drink in the platform". The mother told her giving a glance at Ravi. Seeing the dry face of the little girl Ravi gave a smile & gave the bottle to her mother. "no, no , sir. Please drink yourself first. She will have it in the station. Moreover it is mineral water purchaged by you. 'She has to drink first.please give her.' With smile someother pax also supported him.

The little girl gladly quenched her thirst Her mother was telling her 'see your luck,you are drinking mineral water'. Say namaste to babu. The look in the girl's face was saying a million thanks to Ravi. The balance little water was gulped by that lady. Ravi got back the empty bottle.He was thinking whether he has done correct thing in traveling here . He was feeling a little akward as he could not tell his co-passengers that the bottle was not a mineral water, but tap water filled by him.

Next station arrived. Ravi got down & purchased a mineral water bottle this time.He saw that little girl & her mother on the platform with their bags. "Thanks babu for the water"Ravi told apologetically 'that was not mineral water.i am sorry.but now I have mineral water.will you have".The lady gave a smile & told, "who drinks mineral water babu?we can drink from anywhere .we are lucky if we get it from municipality".The little girl shake his hand & said "TA-TA".

The train started to move.Ravi got up & drank half a bottle of water.He saw that NRI coming out from his seat towards the door & asked him 'oh, the train had left. I could not purche a bottle for you.sorry. anyhow is it mineral water ? He was referring to ravi's water bottle.

"NO,NO,I HAD JUST FILLED THAT OLD BOTTLE WITH TAP WATER FROM THE PLATFORM"

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