Bombay in 1969 - 3

We both were having a whale of a time in Bombay for the past four days and so it was time for something to go wrong. After roaming around the city throughout the day we arrived at Victoria Terminus one night at around 8:15 p.m. and bought train tickets to Chembur hoping to return home and hit the sack. We went to the platform and saw a train which was to proceed in that direction and entered a carriage that didn't have the lights on "as yet!". The train was quite empty although there were a six or seven passengers scattered around the bogie. We occupied a window seat and presently the train started.

It happened that the train didn't halt at the first station. Then it skipped halting at the next station. Then it didn't halt at the third station too and we began to get concerned. Where was the train heading? Then it skipped halting at the fourth station and we realised there was something seriously wrong! I told my friend Kumar that Dadar was an important station and if it doesn't halt there we are done for. As the train skipped halting at subsequent stations we were dismayed to see that it didn't halt at Dadar too. All sorts of thoughts began racing in our minds and we came near the door wondering what we should do. We were at the door and after Dadar as the train was heading towards Matunga, we noticed the train reducing speed. Then it decelerated even further. And a little slower still. Then it was cruising at a steady slow speed and I thought of jumping off the train. But there was darkness beside the tracks and the height between the carriage and the ground was considerable. When we also took into account that the train was moving at a medium steady speed it didn't seem wise enough to jump. I just took courage and jumped off. I picked myself up and began running alongside the coach trying to goad my friend to jump off too.The train was moving steadily. The train reduced speed still further but even though my friend desired to take the plunge he seemed to lack the nerve when he considered the height of the train. I was running beside the coach urging my friend to jump off and he was still lingering on nervously. The train slowly started accelerating and I was seriously worried for my friend.

"Dhumko boli magane!! Dhumko nimmajji!!!" I started abusing him in Kannada and strongly urging him to jump off. Luckily he mustered up the courage to leap off the train.

Fortunately nothing happened to him as he hit the ground  and we slowly walked towards the Matunga Station and ascended the platform to get into a regular train to Chembur.

                                 xxx