Best Friends and Amritsar

When we sold one of our 7 reserved berths for 700 bucks, I knew this is going to be a trip of a lifetime. We were 7 of us on Golden temple Mail from Delhi to Amritsar and the fun had just begun.

You know how best friends behave when they meet after months and months... lot’s to talk, leg pulling, lot’s of jokes on each other, just so much of catching up… we had it all. We were a bunch of crazy enthu-cutlets meeting after almost a year. We wouldn't let go each other's hugs forget about sitting at reasonable distances, all 7 of us packed inside the curtains of a train coupe that was only ours. On both the lower berths, we were eating, singing, laughing, yelling and basically ganged up as closely as possible. We were loud, in our laughters, talks, jokes, singing and just about everything. And as I write it now, I agree, with a tinge of guilt, that we were sure a menace to every co-passenger of ours. Barring one family.

A small family of three boarded the train I think from Meerut or just some station after Nizammudin, Delhi. They had only 2 reserved berths amongst the three of them. And like I said, we were 7 of us, with 7 berths but only 2 in use. The uncle peeped through our curtain and smiled. It was quiet a contrast to what had been happening so far. A lot of peeps had happened and uncles had come, only to tell us to mellow down, keep our volumes low, not to laugh loudly, no clapping, no singing. Ya, so with his smile, we knew he was different. However, we figured he also came to ask something from us, just when he began to speak, “Beta this berth number 15 is yours?” pointing to an empty berth right in front of our coupe with 2 suitcases on it.

The oldest (27years that time), and the most responsible friend amongst us replied, “Hanji uncle.”

Uncle gathering some courage with our friends polite tone started, “Betaji if you are not sleeping there, can we take that berth from you. I’m traveling with my wife and a 14 year old son and we have only 2 reserved seats. If you want you could take some 100 200 rupees.”

And with that the whisper amongst all 7 of us started.

“Uncle will you give us 2 minutes, we will discuss amongst ourselves if we can adjust.” What adjust, ofcourse it was feasible for us, only thing remaining to discuss was the money!

My CA sister started “Nahi yaar, 200 bahot kam hai. We paid Rs.1200 for this berth. It’s a 2nd class AC, confirmed berth. Atleast take 500.”

“Ya, we will eat Kulchas tomorrow with that money.” The ever hungry me commented excitedly!

“I think let’s just totally give it to the poor family.” The sweet, dainty, Sai Baba follower younger cousin sister of mine squealed.

“O shut up oyye, lets atleast earn 100 rupees per persom from that seat. I say Rs.700 is good.” My Marwari friend who worked in Bank of America that time, calculating all shares and debentures added.

And then the final word had to be from the first friend who spoke to uncle, the eldest amongst us. “Let’s not be greedy, lets make it Rs.500 and give it, its getting late for them to sleep.”

He drew the curtain and actioned uncle to come to our coupe, where the discussion forum was currently taking place. “Uncle you can take it for Rs.500.”

“Arrey no no beta, Rs.500 is too much.”

My agressive CA sister asked, “Uncle how much did your confirmed ticket cost you?”

Uncle sheepishly, looking here and there replied, “Rs.1100”

And with that the Marwari friend finally let the banker in him take charge, “Uncle Rs.700 is the final price. When you think you want, you can pay the money and take it, we will remove the luggage.” And I started to draw the curtain with that.

Just then, uncles’ wife came and said, “It’s okay beta, we will take it, here’s the money. Thank you so much kids.”

And as she handed over Rs.700 bucks to my sister, a wave of happiness ran through our faces. The most notorious friend of ours, in an eye blink he gathered all the luggage and cleared the berth for the family.”

“Thank you kids. Waheguruji bless you”

We echoed counting the money, “You are welcome aunty!”

We drew the curtain and celebrated the commencement of the happy journey thereafter. We spoke till 2 in the night and discussed lives. After that, my younger sister and I slept together after the awesomely memorable transaction. Rest all slept as per seats. It was early in the morning next day that we reached Amritsar and the fun continued.

I’ve been to Amritsar thrice, but I think every time, has been an equally memorable trip than the other. Will take you through the most amazing Golden Temple Darshan and Wagah Border excitement in my next post, until then, ring up your old friends, text them, mail them, poke them… and make plans to catch up on your old memories. And while you do that, remember, a new friend will only know your stories, but old best friends have lived them with you. So without wasting one more minute, call one of them and relive those memories. Prioritize them, once more!