Sep 21, 2007

‘What a crowd!’ Jason murmured while entering the Churchgate station during the peak hours of late evening. The trains were packed. The city of Bombay had become Mumbai, but the change of name had shown least improvement in the nuisances of city life. It was tough for any common man who would travel by second class pass.

He was born and brought up in Goa. Jason had shifted his base to Mumbai soon after his graduation almost eight years back. Like many other millions he too was struck by the ambition to hit big in the dream city. The struggle had continued since last eight years. The return journey to Goa with the bounty appeared too far. His attempts to move to Gulf had turned futile after being unsuccessful in several interviews. The dreams had twirled into delusions. He was brought down to the stark reality from his castle in the sky.

At this moment of life the focal point in life was his job in a privately owned company. Other than the job the most tedious part was routinely repetitive to and fro journey from Borivily to Churchgate. He had managed well in the morning hours to catch up with the speed, but then the return journey was always very arduous. The daunting demands of the work would make him exhausted.  There after the predestined return journey was strenuous but inescapable.

The company knew how to squeeze the utmost from their employees from morning until late evening. Pay minimum and gain the maximum was the policy. His monthly remuneration was a little over ten thousand Indian rupees. Similar posts in other good companies would earn well above twenty thousand, that too for just eight hours of work. But in Jason’s case the time factor was endless. He had not objected. There was no doubt that he disliked the manager. He would get offended and feel bitter within. But he had no choice. He always would step out from the office only after completing the job for the day even it was mid-night.

Jason was helpless.

He had always failed to regulate the schedule of his return journey. It changed on daily basis correlated with the pressure of work. Today for instance the boss had instructed to present the ‘statement’ before closing hours. The month had just concluded. It was a tough task. He wanted to request his boss to allow couple of more days.  But being the day of his salary he did not like to make a fuss over. Jason made his best attempt. By the time he took the first ‘print-out’ it was 10:00 pm. Then minor slip-ups came to his notice. Another half an hour had passed while rectifying the flaws.

‘Damn it’ He cursed while making his way. The wall clock at the railway station exhibited eleven ‘o’ clock. The next fast train to Borivily was after twelve minutes. Jason was hungry. He stepped into the railway canteen and helped himself with a burger.

He felt delighted while taking the wallet out to pay the bill. His salary was paid in cash. The wallet was stuffed with layers of currency. ‘Money has the power to make the human beings to run after and disregard the return journey of life. It is human tendency with the majority all over the world.’ He inserted his wallet back in the pocket with some philosophical thoughts.

He sank his teeth into the burger while sprinting towards platform number 4. He leaped into the train, which had just come to a halt. Jason made himself comfortable near the window. ‘Tomorrow is Sunday. I would sleep for long hours.’ He decided with a sigh of relief.

The train engine clamored when activated.  The commuters were stuffing in. They were widely spread. Some hunted for seats and others preferred to stand. The train would be crammed full within next couple of stations. He closed his eyes and when opened was distracted by the arrival of a lady with long straight hair. A very cute baby was in her hand. The lady looked around for a place to sit. The man with the black shirt who was sitting right opposite got up and allowed them to rest. The sleeping baby attracted Jason’s attention. The endearingly adorable child was perhaps not more than a year old.

“Where are you going?” The mother asked Jason as she stroked her hair back.

Jason was taken a back.

“I am going to Borivily.” An instant reply was given back.

“Oh no….” She got up with anxiety. “I forgot to purchase my ticket. Could you hold the baby for a minute? I would be back in no time. Please.”

The lady pleaded.

Jason was astonishingly stunned and left speechless. His mind went blank for a while. Before he could recuperate the baby was transferred on his lap. The lady ran out towards the ticket counter. Jason turned extremely nervous.

“Madam…” He screamed at the lady.

He could not make out if she heard him. She disappeared in the crowd. The incident had transpired instantaneously. He could not believe it. Would any mother leave her infant on the laps of the stranger, that too in a train which was about to leave the platform? As he started to realize the gravity of the situation as the train began to move. The circumstances had gone out of control.

The lady had not come back and train was gathering speed. There was no way he could get down. His body shivered out of fear. He became edgy and nervous. The tension had escalated when the train reached Marine Lines. How could the mother reach her child? He lost the hope. His return journey was turning to be an unforgettable nightmare.

Jason looked around.

Most of the co-passengers were ignorant of the turbulence faced by Jason except for the man with the black shirt. He was the same chap who had bigheartedly offered his seat to the mother of the infant. The guy was smoking at the doorway, but perhaps gawking intently at Jason. Jason did not like that expression. The inquisitive look bothered Jason.

Was he suspicious?

The train touched Charni Road. He felt as if sitting on pins and needles. Jason sensed the stickiness. His body had profusely perspired. What should he do if the baby wakes up and begins to cry? That would definitely generate the attention of the co-passengers. He had no experience in making the babies calm down. Other option could be to leave the baby over the seat and get down at the next stop. What should be the explanation if the co-travelers question the act? He had already drawn the suspicion of the nosy black shirted man.

Should this be reported to the police?

He felt uncomfortable to mess up with the police. The train stopped at Bombay Central station. He decided to leave the baby and disappear from the scene. The baby was still sleeping. Jason dropped the weight over the seat and turned his back. When he was about to move someone tapped him.

He was terrified to see a policeman in front of him.

“Are you in your senses?” The cop was angry. “Would anybody leave a baby like this? She might fall down from the seat. You are a foolish father.”

‘Where is the father of the child?’ He wanted to ask, but was too tensed to utter any words.

Jason ignored the policeman and peeped out from the window as if he was looking for someone. Then he picked the baby and positioned himself back on the seat. The policeman walked ahead.

Should he explain the situation to the cop and seek his help? Would they believe him? They would further harass him and he could be cornered to a tight spot. He wanted to get out of the mess before the train reaches Borivily station. The involvement of the cops would create more complications.

The return journey had become frighteningly horrendous.

He cursed the co-incident and the fate. How the lady with the long hair singled him out among hundreds of passengers? Was it a lapse or a deliberate deed? His mind reflected back on the incident. There was no human gaffe. It was a premeditated act, perhaps the mother wanted to abandon the baby! Otherwise no mother is imprudent enough to leave the baby with a stranger that too in a crowded train which was about to leave.

Now he was certain that it was a consciously calculated performance.

Whose child was this, possibly an illegitimate progeny or could be a kidnapped case? The infant had been discarded for some unknown reason. She must have had a pitiless and merciless heart to abandon such a lovable baby.

Jason did not know what to do. It was not easy get out from this tricky situation. While looking he developed compassion and felt sorry for the sleeping angel. The thoughts of adoption occurred in his mind. But then he rejected the illogical views.

The train stopped at Dadar station. The seat in front became vacant. The man with the black shirt whistled and occupied the seat.

“Hi…..” He greeted Jason.

Jason was not mentally prepared for any conversation. He felt sick and irritated.

“I have observed everything.” He bent in front and whispered. “When I offered my seat to the lady at the churchgate station I had no clue of her deceitful intentions. But then she handed over the baby and vanished. I can not believe there are women with such low ethical values. She must have had an illegitimate child. This world is funny. It is always begins for fun and ends up in disaster.”

Why was he meddling? The signal was in red. The train halted in Dadar station for sometime.

“There is no point in lodging a police complaint.” He advised. “They would only add up more strain to your stress.”

“I am aware of the fact.” Jason’s low voice indicated depletion.

“I can help you.” The man with the black shirt did not waste time. “I am in need of money. If you could satisfy my need I assure to relieve you from this snag. Believe me, I will take the baby and get down at Bandra station. There after you will have no botheration.”

The man wanted money! How much would he ask? Should it be hundred rupees or two hundred rupees? It could be not more than five hundred rupees. Jason presumed.

“Do you have five thousand rupees?” The man with the black shirt continued in undertone.

Five thousand rupees….! That was half of his monthly wages. He felt weak in his legs.

“I do not have so much of hard cash.” Jason pretended.

“Better you forget it. I am going.” It seemed he would get up. “Why should I stick my nose into your difficulties? Of course I am in need of money. My wife is in the hospital in critical condition. Thank you. Let me go. You be happy in your problem. I will make some other arrangements for the cash.”

“Wait for a minute. I am ready.” Jason was left with no option.

The signal light turned green and the train gathered speed.

“I like your negotiation skills. You are really a smart man.” The man with the black shirt mumbled. “We are getting closer to Bandra. Now come on, where is the cash? If you have no money please do not waste my time.”

“Could you pick up the baby?” Jason showed the urgency.

“No, I would not agree. I trust none.” He was a tough nut to crack. “What should I do suppose you hand over the child and run out without payment? Okay, you give me the cash and simultaneously I will pick up the baby from my end.”

There was no point in argument. The guy was street smart. Jason took his wallet out and counted the cash. Half of the salary would be lost within the next moment of inhalation. It was a tough decision to part out the hard earned salary. His eyes turned moist. He was caught in a glitch and was left with not many options.

The train entered Bandra station.

The baby was handed over to the man with the black shirt along with the cash. Jason felt the discomfort to notice the deceptive grin which appeared on the man’s face. The fellow got up and walked out with the baby.

Jason was relieved as he inhaled lungful of air. A good part of his salary was lost. But then he had managed to come out from a difficult situation. The return journey had turned normal from the abnormal circumstances. Finally it was over.

Was it over?

He sensed some movement near the window. His eyes were wide opened when he peeped out. The man with the black shirt was standing out. The baby was crying, perhaps hungry.

Why was he back again? Jason shifted the direction of his view and acted like an unknown.

“Do not worry. I am not here to bother you.” His voice sounded teasingly annoying. “I just want to tell you the truth. I feel sorry for you. Actually I am the father of this child. The lady who left the infant with you at Churchgate station was my wife and the mother of the baby. In this journey of life everybody makes a living for money. We follow the same theory.”

Jason was tricked by a cheap ploy. The truth shook his brain.

“You swindler…..”Jason furiously clenched his teeth. “You will not go too far in life by duping around.”

“I really felt sorry. Otherwise I would not have come here to advise you. Henceforth when you buy a burger please do not exhibit the currency in public places, especially when you have lots of money in the wallet!” The man with the black shirt turned and receded.

What a return journey….! It had had left him frustratingly bitter. Jason closed his eyes with the sense of defeat.

The train raced on from Bandra station.