Short Story by RANJIT SINHA ROY

Like every time, that night also Prapti came to the station early. Her train was at ten O’clock. Full one hour to wait. But Prapti preferred to be in the station.

Prapti was from Srikantpur, a small town. For past two years she was in the Metro City with a comfortable job. She stayed in a decent workingwomen's hostel. Her mother stayed all alone at Srikantpur.

Once every alternate month, Prapti would go home. This month there were three clear holidays, including a Sunday and it was a great opportunity.

After settling down in an empty bench, Prapti took out a magazine and flipped through the pages.

Soon she was absorbed in a story when she had the uncanny feeling of someone watching her. She looked around and saw the young man, watching her from behind a column. He turned away the moment their eyes met. For a pretty young girl, these were expected hazards of life. Prapti concentrated in the story. After few minutes, out of curiosity, she looked up and he was not there. Looking around she saw him standing near the bookstall and watching her. Prapti was irritated. Then from the corner of her eyes, she saw him slowly walking towards her. When right in front, Prapti looked up frowning and gave him such a stern look that he hurriedly moved away.

This young man was tall and handsome, wearing denim trousers, sneakers and a dark leather jacket. With glasses on, he looked more like a junior corporate executive. Of course, looks could be deceptive.

He moved over to the other end of the platform, where the lights were less and continued watching her and two other girls sitting in the opposite bench. Pervert!

Then he slowly walked towards those girls, paused in front of them for few seconds and moved away. The girls were seriously discussing something and did not even notice.

Suddenly it flashed through her mind. Was he also traveling by the same train and in the same compartment? She remembered to have read in newspaper recently that police was looking for a man attacking lonely young girls. Prapti was almost sure that he was the same person, now selecting victims for the night. She thought of calling police, then decided against. She was not absolutely sure of her assumption and had no desire to get involved in a police case.

By then the platform was getting crowded. The young man stood near the tea stall and watched all young girls coming. He finished drinking tea and then walked towards her. He stopped a little away behind a column watching her. Sure he had already decided on his victim for the night. Prapti was now genuinely scared. She shivered and covered herself with the shawl.

The train would reach Srikantpur at three thirty in the morning. Only a few passengers to get down and the station would be lonely in a short time. Being a girl from the town, some of the auto drivers knew her well and they were reliable. No problem if any of them was available. That was of course if this man also got down at Srikantpur. Hope he would not.

The train was put in the platform. Prapti got in and sat down in her pre-reserved berth. She felt relieved. But it was only short lived. He came in, put his shoulder bag down and settled in the berth opposite. Prapti could not tell whether it was a coincidence or by design. She was visibly pale and did not know what to do. The young man was watching her with a faint smile.

When TTE came examining tickets, Prapti asked if it would be possible to change her berth. He checked the passenger list and said all were occupied and no change was possible.

Prapti felt helpless and then asked him to wake her up before the train reaches Srikantpur. Immediately Prapti noticed an amused smile on the young man’s face. She realized the mistake committed. She should not have told her destination in his presence. Now Prapti was sure, he would also get down at Srikantpur and fulfil his lust for the night. Prapti decided to alight as soon as the train would stop at Srikantpur and run to Vehicles Park. She hoped some known driver would be present. It was only ten minutes drive to her house. She would escape from the clutches of this maniac.

The train started to move. Prapti lied down and fully covered herself with the shawl, as though it was a protection. Few minutes later, the young man switched off the lights and lied down. In the dim blue night light Prapti could see him watching her. She turned to other side facing the partition and tried to brush off all apprehensions from her mind.

The train sped through the dark night. All passengers except they two were fast asleep.

After few minutes she turned and slightly opening the eyes saw him lying flat with one arm over the forehead. Perhaps sensing that Prapti was watching, he turned his head and looked at her with a cunning smile. She was really afraid now. Even in the cold night she was sweating.

Some horrible thoughts came to her mind. Suppose he pressed a chloroform soaked kerchief on her nose and enjoy her. Or say, if he was a mad killer, gag and slit her throat open with a sharp knife. No one would know. Other passengers would see her blood soaked lifeless body only in the morning. She shivered at the thought.

Then she heard him getting up. He stood between the berths, looking at her in dim light. Prapti waited with baited breath. Something terrible would happen now. Prapti braced herself for the attack.

But no such thing happened. Few seconds after, he went down the aisle, perhaps to toilet. Later, he returned, glanced at her once again and lied down flat.

One thing was confusing. He was handsome, looked fairly educated and should be from a decent family. How could he be a horrible molester or maniac killer? Then why was he after her? Following her everywhere, smiling meaninglessly and watching her in the darkness. Rogue number one!

Despite trying to remain awake and alert, she fell asleep and woke up with a start when TTE called her announcing the train was approaching Srikantpur.

Quickly she got up, took the bag and went to the exit door. The young man also followed. She looked at her wristwatch; it was exactly three thirty and pitch dark outside. The train slowed down and then ground to halt. Immediately Prapti jumped down, rushed out and was relieved to find one known driver at the Auto Park. She got in and asked him to rush. She could see the young man coming out of the station. She felt safe.

Prapti reached home and was opening the gate when another auto came and stopped in front of the house. To her horror she saw the same young man getting down. Hurriedly, she closed the gate, ran to the entrance door, started banging and shouted

"Mummy, Mummy, Open the door. Quick."

She looked back and saw the man slowly opening the gate. She was horrified. Now the auto driver had also left and there was no one around. Leisurely, the young man closed the gate, put the latch, and walked down the garden path with a faint smile. He was in no hurry. Prapti looked wide-eyed. Now she was sure that the man was a hardened criminal. He would come up the steps, gag and drag her behind some bush and then…. She could not think further and again banged the door shouting "Mummy, Mummy."

Lights were now switched on in the front room and mother called, "Is it Prapti? Wait, wait, I am opening the door."

Moment the door was opened Prapti ran in and stood behind mother clutching her shoulders.

"Namaste, Auntie." The young man was standing at the lighted door smiling.

Mother also smiled and said "Namaste, Akash. Come in, don’t stand in the cold?"

He came in, put the bag down and touched her feet.

Mother admiringly looked at him and said, "You have become very tall and handsome Akash." He smiled shyly.

Mother said, "So you two have already met." She turned to Prapti standing behind.

"No, we have not met yet." she stammered, still staring at him.

Akash smiled, "Yes, we traveled together, but have not formally met."

Mother said, "Okay, then let me do the introduction. Prapti, do you remember Sumitra aunty? They were in this town. Sumitra is a great friend of mine. Though many years’ back they moved over to Indore, we still have contact. Do you not remember Akash? You were in the same school. He in fifth class and you in third when they left. He completed MBA this year and got appointed with Centurion Finance, in your city only. He wanted to utilise these three days holiday visiting us. He very much wanted to meet you and also see his childhood town.

Prapti was sullen. "Why did you not inform me before?"

Mother said, "He telephoned me only last evening, informing that he was travelling by the night train. I told him that you may also come by the same train and I tried for you in the hostel. They said that you had already left for the station. What could I do? Anyway now you remember Akash. No!"

Prapti faintly remembered the short, chubby boy in fifth class. Students used to tease him. How much he had changed. With a broad smile she said "Motu!"

Everyone including Akash laughed. Mother laughingly said, " Prapti you should not talk like that. Now it is quite late. Both of you must be very tired. Prapti, you go to your room. I have arranged the guestroom for him. Come, Akash.I shall show you." Like a very obedient boy he followed mother.

Prapti called from behind, "Motu. Go and sleep well." This time mother did not tell anything. She only smiled.

Next morning they woke up late and now sitting opposite each other in the dining table. Mother was in kitchen and asked them to wait a few minutes, breakfast was getting ready. Silently they sat.

Few minutes later, Prapti asked "Why did you not introduce yourself last night?"

Akash said, "My God! You know, twice I attempted. But each time you glared at me so hard that I did not dare to approach." He smiled and continued, "I started observing each and every young girl coming to the platform, particularly those who were un-accompanied. But could not be sure. Then deciding that you must be the prettiest girl in station I came and stood near you. Prapti, I think I was right. You were the prettiest girl in the station last night."

Prapti blushed pink and looked down. Silently she drew invisible patterns with her finger on the table.

After some pause, Akash asked "Prapti, what did you think of me last night?"

Prapti was silent for few moments, and then looking straight into his eyes started laughing. Akash was apprehensive. He did not know what was coming. "I thought you were a very evil person, running after young girls, capable of doing anything. I was really scared of you."

"And now? What do you think of me now?" Akash was curious to know.

Prapti got up "I shall go to kitchen and help mother prepare breakfast" She had mischief in her eyes.

"No, no, you tell me first." Akash insisted.

Laughingly she sat down.

"Okay, okay. Now I think… I think you are a real Motu." She blushed, and then glanced at him with twinkling eyes.

For few moments they silently looked at each other and then started laughing together.

Mother came in and put the breakfast tray on table. Lovingly she looked at them. They did not know what thoughts crossed her mind.