How my mother lost and found her exam papers | by Ayan Sinha

The train thundered away, I was left with the packet full of documents in my hand. I was in CST today for some personal reasons. But it was not like usual days. I had to reach town early to ensure I was able to complete my work at the earliest. But I didn’t know I was going to end up being the one to defend the spirit of Mumbai today.

It all began when I boarded the local train at Kharghar. I distinctly remember the straggling few people who were waiting for the 5:34 am Panvel to CST.I was complete opposite to the usual hum of the crowd one witnesses usually during the day. There were few students, a man whom I recognised had a shop in Masjid and a middle-aged woman who seemed to be out of breath. I had seen her getting dropped by a handsome young chap on his bike. He seemed like a young brother of hers. She seemed to limp a bit and was carrying 2–3 bags. There were others a bit far away and I couldn’t see them well in the dark. As the train chugged its way in 2 minutes late, I boarded the first class of the train along with the students and the shopkeeper. The lady in yellow salwar with 3 bags also boarded the first ladies’ class and sat down at the furthest corner. I would have to point out it is very courageous of her to stepping out so early in the day , when even the sun is not out. Nevertheless, Mumbai is a safe city and we Mumbaikars do take care of each other, so there should not be anything to worry for anyone. I run an NGO and I only see good in each person and believe I should help people in need.

Since the trains were empty now, there was nothing else to do other than to look outside and let my mind wander. My eyes did notice the few people who had started entering the train and their antics. I noticed the LADY had taken out some booklet from one of the 3 bags and was reading it and then started to chant something silently. This is a common sight on Mumbai Local trains. People who don’t have time to pray at home would recite various mantras or chant them so that they can fulfil their obligations to their Lord.

Anyways by the time Vashi came the seats were almost full and people were talking in their loudest of voices. Morning lights had started to shine down on us. My eyes fell on the LADY and I saw she was talking to someone on her mobile phone. Seeing this it reminded me to call my daughter who must have woken up by now.

After making the call, I felt my eyes getting heavy and decided to nod off.But I couldn’t sleep nap properly since I would get shaken up by the sudden shaking of the train whenever it reached the station.

By the time train reached Mankhurd the train was so full that people were standing on my foot. There was no advantage of being in a First Class. It is all the same whether be it First Class or Second Class. It gets filled up and we are all packed like sardines till Kurla. Train did get emptied out by the time we reached Kurla. As the people rushed out my eyes fell on the LADY. She too had dozed off and seemed pretty much out of it. Poor thing ! I hope she didn’t have to get down at Kurla. Then the train choochooed of from Kurla. I was a little perturbed about the work that I was going for and we neared CST, I could hear my heart rate rise. In few moments the train reached Wadala and my friend Mr. Dabhole joined me in the coach from there and we got into conversation about the state politics. As were talking the train entered Sewri Station and screeched to stop . Mr Dabhole was giving his views on BJP party when , I heard a loud scream. The LADY who had just deboarded was howling like anything. Before we could understand anything, the train whistled and started leaving Sewri. She tried to run to the train but with her limp she didn’t dare to any anything. She was shouting something which was inaudible over the sound made by the train.

Within moments the train was away from Sewri and moving towards the next station. I decided to investigate. Remembering that the LADY had 3 bags, I deduced she may have left one of the bags on the train. I then asked others on the ladies’ coach to check that was so. A girl of about 32 looked and saw a bag bound in plastic cover was lying at the foot of the seat where the LADY was sitting. She informed me of it and told me she will give to the Railway lost and found.

I thought for a while and knowing the authorities and the inconvenience that will be caused by this loss and recovering the same from Railway authorities will take time. I decided to intervene in this matter and asked the girl to give me the packet, and I will personally investigate this matter.

The girl handed the bag, thankful to get rid of this responsibility. I instantly started looking through the cover to check for some information to contact the LADY. The packet contained a lot of written material from a School called Fatima High School. They seemed to me to be exam papers. So it seemed that the LADY was a teacher in this school. It all made sense now, school’s open in the morning and she had to leave early from Kharghar to come to school. My respect for her grew even more. For such a person was a real contributor to the society. Since these were exam papers there seemed to be urgent. Earlier I had thought if I find her home address I will drop these at home. But remembering her hysterical reaction I assumed these papers may be urgent and not showing up may lead to termination of her job.

Both Mr.Dabhole and I tried to search through the bag to find some sort of contact details so we can contact her.But in the midst we reached CST and I was left with the packet in my hands.

As soon as I reached CST, I decided to leave for my dstination . Doing any kind of searching here in the crowd would be impossible. So, both of us took a taxi to Mantralaya and reached there in 20 minutes, Meanwhile Dabhole had started looking again into the packet.

As I paid for the taxi fare, Dabhole exclaimed, I got it. Her Name is Nandini Sinha and these are her contact details.So I immediately dialed the number from my cellphone.

At first, she was apprehensive of me. Asked me where did I get her number? But then when I assured her that I had found her packet and it was safe with me, she was elated. Her voice and tone changed immediately as if a huge stone had being raised from her body. I informed her that I found her contact details from a dairy in the packet, and I called immediately after getting her contact details.

She was thanking me profusely and thanking God at the same time. It felt very good for me that I was able to help this poor lady whom I had had just seen far from me.

Later on after I completed my work, I went to her school and hand delivered her the packet.

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