Without breaking the custom, reached Secunderabad railway station just before Godavari starts and boarded it. Once again a last minute Tatkal booking and it's an RAC berth, Sharing with someone else until you get a confirmed berth from TC.
Despite of disappointments "n" number of times earlier, I was still hoping to get a girl as the partner in RAC and reached to my berth. But as usual, got a 50+ uncle as partner, whose only discussion would be politics or youth getting spoiled. Slowly settled in my half space scolding uncle in my mind. I've decided not to initiate any discussion with him and if any question from uncle, reply 1 liners. After 15 mins, Uncle started with standard question "Till where are you going?", I said "Vizag", then he asked "Can you exchange your RAC berth to another place so that my cousin can come here and sit with me", Though not interested, agreed to exchange unwillingly.
The new berth i exchanged was the "Dreamland" I've been waiting for. A young and beautiful girl, sitting irritatedly at RAC berth. She is too cute and bubbly that for the first time I prayed that my RAC berth shouldn't get confirmed. Thanked God for the opportunity and most importantly thanked the Uncle whom i scolded earlier. Slowly settled in one corner of the berth.
As Guruji Thrivikram said in Khaleja movies, "Ammayini chudagane Magaadu, Katthi ni chudagane Devudu", the guy in side upper berth wants to Don the role of "Karna" suddenly and asked her to take his berth and he would adjust in RAC. The guy looked like a flirt by professional, it's written on his face. Too much of sacrifice, why not, she's so ... beautiful. When she resisted to exchange, he was insisting her "No Problem". It was like a last ball finish in Twenty20 game for me, getting tensed will she agree or not, have I exchanged seat to share with this guy. She firmly said no Thank You. I got relaxed from this tension. But didn't expect the ball would be thrown in my court. Professional flirt asked me to take his berth and he would sit in RAC. Wow, What an offer. Do I look like certified dumb. Who would miss the chance, I've rejected, obviously.
Now waiting for the opportunity to initiate the chat with her. Kept silent for an hour so that I won't sound a flirt. Luckily my phone is about to get switched off and she has kept her phone charging for quite sometime. So, gathered my confidence and asked if I could keep charging as its about to get switched off, she agreed to it. Now that, it started, wanted to continue and asked her destination (I know it's a standard question, but had to), how come RAC, wasn't it a planned journey, Hyderabad traffic, Summer Heat, all nonsense for sometime.
After 30-40 mins, dared to ask her name, It's "Chandralekha". Introduced myself and narrated the complete "Tell me about yourself" interview answers I've prepared long back. No girl would like to reveal details to a stranger, that too who met in a train. I too didn't expect much info, forecasting it. It's dinner time and I've bought my parcel of my favourite Alfa biryani. It would be sufficient for 2 people, but I can't dare to ask her to share it. Kazipet, Warangal stations passed by and she couldn't get Egg Biryani as the vendors had only veg biryani left. So it's clear, she is a non-vegetarian and a desperate one. I've asked her if she doesn't bother, she can share my chicken biryani. She was reluctant to it. I told her few logics, one, food would get wasted if I alone eat, Two, she won't get any food until Vijayawada at midnight, Three, no sleep and no food would be a deadly irritating combo, that too in a train. She's convinced and agreed to share. Icing on the top, I've got a chilled thumbs up. She loved the biryani and drink, understood she is also a non-veg lover like me. Getting some burnt smell, guess from side upper, professional flirt is completely flaming I guess.
She was looking for TC to confirm the berth. Luckily the crowd was heavy and we didn't get separate berths. Had to adjust on 1 berth whole night. Introduction, Dinner is over, now it's time for some personal and fun stuff. Before getting into the personal zone, thought of easing the environment and shared some funny incidents with friends, some jokes, Office incidents. Felt that she started liking the company and enjoying the time. Asked her about her job, family, education, friends, job etc. She is a Mahesh Babu fan and I'm a Jr.NTR fan. Had some comparisons between both of them, positives, negatives, funny quarrels.
It's almost 11 PM and she looked sleepy. I've convinced her to wake up till Vijayawada as there would be best bread omelette in Station and continued with our conversation. To my bad luck, Godavari got delayed in reaching Vijayawada due to some reason. She started getting multiple calls at 12 and she is responding "Thank You". She's Replying to msgs with a smile on her face. Understood it's her Birthday. But what can I get at midnight in a railway station. Searched the entire platform, took bread omelette and came back to berth. Both ate it, completed the thumbs up. Asked her to sleep in 3/4th of berth and I would adjust in the balance 1/4th by sitting. She said No and we just leaned back on either ends of berth and continued with our chat. Wished her Happy Birthday and gave her Dairy Milk Silk I've bought in Vijayawada. She smiled and said Thanks, understanding I overheard her phone calls. Between small small nags we had some chats, jokes, laughs, etc., At one point of time, we were so loud that an uncle in opposite berth had to ask us to keep quiet. One of the most memorable nights I've ever had. We didn't knew when, but slowly both of us slept in our respective half spaces.
It's early morning in Vizag by the time we woke up. We have picked our bags and said bye-bye to each other, wished good luck to each other and departed.
Searched for her profile in social media later for few days, but couldn't find her anywhere.
Not all acquaintances in life lead to a long term relationship, but for sure remain as a refreshing memory for lifetime.
From that day onwards, RAC is not just a railway term "Reservation Against Cancellation", it means "Rishi And Chandralekha".
Signing Off
Rishi.......
