Train ride

On my train ride to the city centre today, I decided to people watch rather than digging my face into a book like I usually do. I left the house complaining how I had too many bags in hand and none fit the book I am currently reading (for those interested, it’s A fine balance by Rohinton Mistry, so yes a big book). Anyway, I am now seated between two women who are both on Instagram or some social media platform, scrolling. I see picturesque images of cottages and forests, breathtaking views of waterfalls, on both their screens. Ethically I am invading their personal space, that little one foot bubble between their phones and their eyes, but I cannot help but indulge myself when there are lush green environs presented before me even if they are virtual. I barely make out the words – Kabini, one says and the other is someplace near Mangalore.

I then see both of them being redirected to homestay sites and resort landing pages and I can’t help but compare it to my state of mind right now. A desire to leave, not necessarily arrive anywhere. I don’t need a foliage to lie under, or waves to beat against my feet, I just need to get away from the stupor of the past few weeks. My mental state is a ping pong ball caught in between two racquets.

“Make up your mind, yaar, choose one thing.’
‘How can I? I’m just a human being,’ he replied”

Rohinton Mistry

With a city as chaotic as this who wouldn’t crave an escape, whether it is available or not is a matter of privilege. I close my eyes, trying to imagine a place that isn’t here and the metro announcement brings me right back. I have arrived.