We were at the fag end of our college life.
In those days I and my close friends were always in pursuit to go places and
accumulate memories for future. College curriculum and money did pull our
enthusiasm at times but envisaging the busy professional life ahead we then
knew ‘it’s now or never’.
It had only been a few weeks that I and a
very close friend of mine had returned from the Maha Kumbh. For us, asking
money from our families for another trip was out of question. With just a month
left for our beloved college life to end we continued tolerating our boring
classes and labs. But soon a plan was to pop up.
The plan was to visit Agra. A group of 5 of
our classmates had actually come up with this and four of us were
optimistically invited to join them. Initially thoughts of gong to Agra did
summon a great interest in me and I could unmistakably sense the same in
others. But soon our system tripped. As stated before, money was an issue and
seeing my disapproval my other friends also came up with a negative response.
Suddenly each of us had some or the other reason which was toppling the plan.
Being very close buddies meant either all four went or none of us went. The plan was pre matured but we didn’t allow
it to fizzle out. We reviewed it frequently to keep our interest alive. Seeing
the other group plan and book their tickets, we finally decided (unanimously)
that we had to go. Even thoughts of missing out a wonder like Taj Mahal were
painful.
The base was set. After we convinced our
families for the trip finance it was time to book our
tickets. We had to make up for the delay in making up our mind. We spent hours
at night analyzing and planning our itinerary. We chalked out trains from
Indian Railways which would best suit us. Fun part was that we maintained
privacy and ensured the other group didn’t get the slightest hint of our
changed plans. We also ensured that we boarded the same train from Kolkata to
Agra as they did. Rough calculations to estimate the least budget sufficient to
manage the trip were made. We finally came down to 2000 rupees. May sound very
less but that was what we could cough out. Having less and managing more adds
to the fun. Doesn’t it? After patiently spending hours in long queues we booked
our train tickets. All set and done we then keenly awaited the day of our
departure.
It was 4th April Thursday.
Magadh Express which we were to board was scheduled for a 1pm departure from
Sealdah. Just because of our lagging attendance we were compelled to attend a
first half lab and then eventually hurry up with our final packing once we
returned to our hostels. A quick lunch and boarding the timely bus ensured our
arrival at the station just on time. We filled our empty bottles to avoid
buying water. Cost cutting was an invisible companion to accompany us. With
less than 10 minutes in hand we scurried for our compartment.
We kept a sharp vision to ensure that our
co-group didn’t catch a glimpse of our presence. Finally we get our respective
seats and by then the train had already started its journey. We took half an
hour to get ourselves settled and then finalized that it was time we gave the
other group the much awaited surprise. They were seated not so far, rather just
in the next compartment. Feeling very anxious we approached them. A hard slap on the back of one of them was
enough for him and rest of the group to turn their attention towards us. Seeing
us they were completely left agape. None of them were ready to believe that we
were to accompany them to Agra. After revealing them our planning and how we
wanted to surprise them, they were left completely astonished but nonetheless
were thrilled to have us join them. Now we were a single group of 9 (final year
college mates) heading for Agra J
College friends are the best ingredients
one can get in his/her life. Having them in a tour adds cherry to the cake.
Sharing our food, buying eatables from hawkers, fighting for cost cutting and
not to forget the endless gossiping, all these ensured that we never had a null
moment during our journey. Photo sessions had already started, courtesy to the
two cameras we carried. Getting down the train at smallest of the stoppages,
standing beside the compartment door (at times precariously) and getting clicked
individually or in groups (striking next to perfect poses) was such fun.
The train was catching speed. It was
evening and the sun was dying down at the distant horizon. There I was standing
at the door with a transgressing look. The train whistling past the trees, the
wind hitting my face and playing with my hair. Life couldn’t get any better, I
told myself.
Later at night we had to content with the
not so good pantry dinner. Then it was time to retire to our respective berths
for a tight good sleep. We expected to reach Agra the next day before noon, a
thing we were all eagerly waiting for.
…………..to
be CONTD….
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