First Express to Maharagama

I'm used to the train. I take the train every day in the morning, from Maharagama to Fort. I travel with half a dozen of my train buddies, and it maximum fun. But I rarely take the train in the evening, partly because I never leave office at the same time and I don't know when the trains are after five.

I've been telling Anuki how interesting taking the train was, as she has never taken the train in her life. She said she wanted to join me, but we never get around to do it. One Tuesday, out on a whim I asked her if she wanted to take the train and since she had no pressing matters at hand she agreed.

But getting her out of the office proved almost impossible. Any how we were finally out of the building running for our dear lives to catch the train. It was drizzling by the time and we had only one umbrella. We tried not to get wet as much as possible. We finally made it to the ticket counter and were waiting in line to get our tickets. Anuki was shaking the umbrella when two guys came running and almost knocked over the umbrella.

It was of course Anukis fault but the guy apologized profusely. Later we heard him and his friend having an argument about who should have apologized. We laughed hearing their argument but had no time to ponder over it. We were already late and I was worried we might run out of seats. Being Anukis first time I didn't know how she would take it so I desperately wanted seats for both of us.

We finally made it and found only limited space available. he rest of the bench was wet because the glass was broken and the rain water had come in. Anuki perched herself right on the part that was the most wet and beckoned to me to come and sit near her.

It was still raining and I didn't want to sit there. Partly because I didn't want to get wet and partly because I didn't want the other people to think I was insane; although it was a little too late for Anuki because she suddenly started yelling quite too loud, in the fairly quiet train - 'Come sit, sit.

I want to sit by the window.' 'No way.' 'why can't we sit?' 'Because we'll get wet.' obviously! Then she made a pouting face. We barely sat for five minutes when the whole crowd got up in unison, started jumping off the train. Apparently the train bound to Awissawella was the other train.

The gap between the two trains were undeniably scary even for me. And I very much doubted that Anuki would be able to make the jump, besides the entrance was already crowded with more experienced people, jumping easily from one train to the other.

I decided to jump for it, all the while Anuki was complaining 'How do you expect me to do this. This is bigger than when I jumped from boat to ship in Trinco, at least then I had some handsome young officer to hold my hand.' I was finally on the other train and managed to coax Anuki to follow suit.

Phew, finally we got in to the right train but still had a problem with the seats. There was enough space in one corner to sit but the best part of it was that their was a leak in the roof. Well, at least I was happy that the space left was near the window.

Anyhow we decided to unfurl the umbrella and guess what rest of the passengers took it as an example and did the same. Honestly, I thought those things can happen only in hindi movies, but the fact was they really do happen even in the real life.

Though I have not taken the train before I have heard loads of stories from different people. What really touched me most was the stuff that I heard from the male journalist (seniors), on my way I was recalling one by one.

I have even heard that there are love affairs which are based purely on passing fancies, to pass time while on the train. Samadhi and I was even discussing how some young couples behave in public without considering the values of discipline. What made us write this was a scene we saw in the train.

Anyway, what ever said and done with the joys of the rain and the excitement of the first journey in a train did not leave any doubts for me to plan a trip to 'Diyathalawa', as I have heard once again a train ride to Diyathalawa is one thing that any person should experience during their life time.

Oh! By the way without Samadhi this whole journey would have been just a dream. And the best part of it was that it was very much less tiring.