Terror on the tracks
“A woman dressed in red, running along with the train?” Jai queried. “But how is that possible? No one can run as fast as a train.”
“Ahaa… Exactly!” replied Deenu excitedly. “I stared at her. She was running really very fast because she could easily keep up with the speed of the racing train.”
“But how?” asked Sneha.
Deenu shook his head. “I was amazed. Then I looked at her feet and was shocked.”
“Why?” chorused the curious children.
“Her feet weren’t touching the ground. She was running about a foot above it,” Deenu said softly, enjoying the impact of his words.
“A foot above the ground,” Jyoti repeated startled.
“Yes. For a few minutes I just stared unable to believe my eyes. My heart was racing. And, then…”
“And then?” queried the children together.
“She turned her head to look at me,” Deenu whispered. “I can never forget that moment.”
“Why… Why… Deenu Kaka?” Gopi asked fearfully.
“Her eyes were shining white and her head could turn 360 degrees…” Deenu said quietly.
“What?” the children said, eyes wide with fear.
“Hmm… Then she raised her hand and beckoned to me. I remember… I nearly fell off the moving train. I turned away then from the window and sank down, clutching my chest.”
“Ohh…” chorused the children.
“Yes, Nandu Kaka the bada sahib’s khalasi who was watching me came over to me and sat down. He offered me water from his bottle and asked me if I had seen a woman. When I nodded, he patted my shoulder and told me not to worry. He said that whenever they passed this particular part during the night he too could see the woman. It seems he had been seeing her for the last thirty years.”
“Thirty years!” exclaimed Somu.
“Yes, thirty years. After a while he told me to look out of the train again. I was horrified at the idea. I refused point blank. Nandu Kaka repeatedly urged me, telling me there was nothing to be scared about. I finally gathered the courage and peeped out first with one eye and then with both eyes. The scenery looked serene just as it had done about an hour earlier… bathed in sparkling, silvery moonlight.”
“Ohh…” murmured Gauri. “The woman?”
“She had disappeared. Nandu Kaka explained that she would run with the train till a particular spot. After that she would stop. Her hair open, eyes shining, she would stand silently, and watch the train rush on ahead,” Deenu supplied this piece of information.
“Why, Deenu Kaka?” asked Sneha.
“Now that Nandu Kaka was also not able to tell me. Probably there had a been a mishap with her in that area and her spirit now waits there to find release,” Deenu shrugged his shoulders.
“Is she still there, Deenu Kaka?” Somu asked curiously.
“I don’t know.”
“Didn’t you see her again?” queried Jyoti.
Deenu shook his head. “Arrey… Nahin…! I didn’t see her again for the simple reason I never went on the train again with bada sahib. That one sighting was enough for me. For days after that I would wake up in the middle of the night soaked in sweat and trembling with fear. My father first tried to make me understand that these are normal things but when I refused to listen to him, he thrashed me but I’m one strong headed fellow. He was more concerned about me getting a railway job. I ran away from home and hid for an entire day at bada sahib’s house in the attic.”
“In the attic? But you told us that Bholu used to frequent the place. Wasn’t that scary too?” Gopi asked.
“Ahh… I was much more comfortable with Bholu dropping and banging things. At least he didn’t have shining eyes and nor did he call me. Brrrrr… Brrr….” Deenu shivered visibly and hunched his shoulders. “That woman was too much.”
“So, how did go home then?” Jai asked.
“My father went around the whole village looking for me. On a whim he called around at the railway bungalow and asked if anyone had seen me. The khansama who had caught the chota sahibs smuggling food let the cat out of the bag and I was caught. My father dragged me home by my ear and threatened to chuck me out of the house. My mother was distraught when I had disappeared. I was her favourite child. She put her foot down and asked my father to let me be otherwise she would also pack her bag and take me with her to my maternal grandmother’s place,” Deenu said and guffawed loudly.
“You’re very lucky, Deenu Kaka,” Gopi said. “My parents both gang up together when they have to scold us or beat us.”
Deenu Kaka smirked as he sat on his haunches.
“Deenu Bhaiyya… Sarpanch Kaka is looking for you,” Lata said just then. “You’re still here. I thought you must’ve returned to the fields by now.”
“Bhojai? You’re back! What’s the time? Ohh… I’m late! I’m late!” Deenu said, all flustered. He jumped up and slipped on his slippers. “I must go. Sarpanch Ji will be annoyed with me.”
Deenu hurried away as if a fright of ghosts was chasing him.
“Children, did you enjoy the pakoras?” Lata asked with a smile.
“Oh yes! Kaki, they were very tasty. We ate everything. Look!” Gauri pointed to the empty newspaper parcel and dhona. “Even the chutney was yummy! Thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing, dear. What lovely manners, Gauri!” Lata beamed at them.
“Amma, how’s Savita Dadi? Does she miss us?” queried Sneha. “And, what about Shambhu Maharaj. Did he ask about us?”
“My… My… What a lot of questions!” laughed Lata. “Next time come and meet them yourself. Yes, they were asking about you. That’s why only Shambhu Maharaj prepared those pakoras and Savita Kaki sent them for all of you. I told her you all will be here, playing together.”
“How kind of her!” Jai said humbly. “We’ll go and meet her after school tomorrow and thank her for the snacks.”
“Good boy!” Lata said and ruffled his hair.
“We too will come with you and Sneha,” Gauri volunteered.
“Bhagwan Ji… such good children. I’m amazed. I’m sure my clothes are safe and dry enough to be folded and kept away. Or were you extra good and have even done that for me,” Lata looked at the children and laughed.
“Ohh… They are safe and dry but we haven’t folded them,” Sneha said. “You know Amma… What happened…”
Jai interrupted his sister hurriedly, “… Amma, the clothes! Shall we get them for you?”
Lata looked at him in surprise,” No need for that, dear. I’ll get them. I’m sure you all will want to play rather than fold clothes.”
“No Kaki, we’ll be leaving now. It’s almost five. Our parents will be waiting for us. Bye Jai, bye Sneha… See you both tomorrow at school,” Somu said, signalling to the others it was time to leave.
“Yes. See you all tomorrow. After school we’ll go Sarpanch Dada’s house,” Jai reminded them as they waved goodbye.