Indian Railway Passengers and Patients

What’s common between patients at Hospitals and passengers travelling by Indian Railways in the sleeper class?

Your entry in no way is welcomed. They make you feel like an added problem to the pack of their existing troubles. They turn to their backs at the mere sight of you. (Just like the gaudy sisters-in-laws do to each other in the Indian daily soaps).

As a new comer, such cold response sets off your mood and you feel further sick/ suffocated (and even trapped).

Later on…gradually, as the time passes (and since Time is not healing the wounds) you get connected with a bond of ‘mutual suffering’ and start accepting each other in each other’s territory. While the passengers start to become kind enough to fold their knees to make some space for your hanging butt, the patients will give you compassionate looks.

Now they do turn to their backs but to find the most comfortable sitting pose without the intention to disregard you, and each time they turn to your side, you see curvy lips.

And not to forget, when you become the old one, you will also be joining the club of 'Ignore the new comer'.

More than money, happiness or love, I learnt that it is Pain that unites people.