The Train Journey

The Train Journey

I usually avoid people wherever I go be it family function , parties , while traveling anywhere . But today was different . Just like a regular day I was returning back home from my college . Luckily I found a place to sit . An uncle around the age of 55 was sitting beside me . Keeping the stereotype in my mind I avoided him . Removed my phone so that it doesn't seem rude but realized it was dead . Thousands of thoughts in my head don't know what will I do these 40 mins but one thing was sure wont try to communicate with strangers . It's not like I don't like to communicate it's just that social anxiety and various reasons . But nothing goes according to my wish . The uncle beside me started the conversation . In my head I was all prepared to answers the questions like what are you studying ?, where is your college? and all the basic questions I have came across but he asked me the most easiest and the most difficult question at the same time . How are you? in a tone like he knows something is wrong . For 2 sec I was shocked like this was something new but with all fake courage I said 'I am fine' and I didn't wanted to sound rude so I asked How are you ? With a great smile on his face he said  'Happy' . I nodded my head with a smile and started looking outside the window . Out of nowhere after 3 mins he started telling me how he today  went to the Parsi bakery to buy a cake his wife loves the most but couldn't eat  for a long time due to her sugar but today after collecting her reports everything seemed fine so he travelled 2 hours to get that cake for his wife and surprise her, how his children moved abroad 7 years ago , how eager he is to meet his granddaughter who is going to turn 5 this year and a lot more . I was looking at his face full of excitement wanting to meet his grand daughter . While hearing to him I realized how he knew maybe he is never going to see her again but he still had hope , how he did all the small gestures to bring a smile on his wife's face, how he isn't crying about why his children moved away from him . Maybe cause he found how to keep himself happy , maybe cause he wanted to be there for her wife , maybe many reasons but the point was he was 'Happy' . While listening to him I didn't realized my station was a minute away . I told  him I wish aunty likes your surprise and I have to leave . We exchanged smiles and I left . That day I realized no matter what the situations are we can 

'We Can Create Our Own Happiness'

-LD