To the BPT student from Bhopal on the 5:30 AM Gwalior-Bhind MEMU: I’m the guy whose shoulder you slept on....
I boarded the MEMU train from Gwalior to Bhind early this morning, thinking it would just be another routine trip for my passport application. I managed to snag a window seat, and that’s when she sat down right across from me.
You know how it is with face-to-face seating even if you try to stay busy, you can’t help but notice the person in front of you. She was exactly like someone I’d imagine in a dream. I noticed the smallest details: how her nose piercing perfectly matched her bracelet, how perfectly she smiled and just how calm her presence was.
We started talking after a while. She told me she’s pursuing BPT in Bhopal. We talked more, and she even mentioned her home village (I still remember the name). Around 6:00 AM, as the weather got chilly, she asked me to close the window. Later, an "aunty" sitting next to her wanted the window open because she felt hot. Seeing the girl was cold, the aunty kindly suggested she swap seats with her daughter who happened to be sitting right next to me.
And that’s when things changed.
She ended up sitting right beside me. After a bit, she fell fast asleep... on my shoulder. The next couple of hours felt like they were frozen in time. I could hear her deep breaths, and honestly, the smell of her is still lingering on my shirt 10 hours later, I don't even want to wash it. I even held her phone for her while she slept so it wouldn't fall.
When her phone slipped at one point, I actually took a selfie on it (I didn't want to take a photo of her without permission, as that felt wrong). I really wanted to ask for her Instagram or number, but I didn't want to ruin the moment or make her uncomfortable. She mentioned she usually travels Gwalior to Bhopal and Bhopal to Gwalior via the Bhopal Express, so I kept thinking I might see her again, but the silence at the moment was so peaceful I didn't want to break it.
When my stop arrived, she woke up. I handed her phone back, told her she could sleep on the seat as much as she wanted, and got off the train. Now I’m sitting at home, unable to get her out of my head. I have no way to contact her, just the memory of those few hours.
To the girl from the train: If you happen to check your gallery and see that selfie, or if you're reading this, please reach out. I'd love to actually finish our conversation.
If anyone knows about any BPT student studying in bhopal and travelled today to her hometown Bhind kindly help us to get connected.