COMPANIONS IN THE TRAIN

Few days back, I was returning from Bengaluru to Hyderabad by the Kachiguda Express with my wife. It leaves Bengaluru at 6-20 pm and arrives at Kachiguda [Hyderabad] at 5-45 am. We prefer early morning arrival so that we can have our coffee and also attend to the morning rituals. 

We always booked lower berths and our seats were near the windows. After we boarded the train, two ladies who were senior citizens arrived and occupied the middle seats near to us. They were fair, orthodox, clad in silk saree and must be beautiful during their younger years. They said they were sisters and belonged to Madwa community.

After the departure of the train and everyone settled in their seats, the younger sister requested me whether we could take their middle berths and spare our lower berths for them. I readily agreed and asked them what was their age. She said the elder was 70 and the younger was 68 as against our age of 74 and 71.

They had come to attend a wedding. They arrived in the morning and returned in the evening and hence they were sleepless and tired. I told them not to worry and that they could go to bed after dinner at 8 pm. However, they were not aware that we were returning after performing 15 days arduous last rituals for my departed mother.

They were gossiping about many people at the wedding. They were commenting about the arrangements and treatment etc. At 8 pm, they had their dinner containing tamarind rice soaked rich in oil which stained the seat also. It was followed by few medicines. We had our usual idly and buttermilk.

Predominantly, life style determines a person's health. Sedentary life style leads to all physical problems. My wife is a workaholic. Wherever she goes, she never hesitated to do any work. People used to admire her for this attitude. Hence she is healthy and active. I also do my part and encourage her.

I gave them the lower berths and took their middle berths. They were astonished to see my wife at the age of 71 effortlessly and carelessly climbed over to the middle berth. The younger sister was pointing out this to the elder. When they left at Kachiguda, they did not even have the courtesy to say a thank you or goodbye.