Footsteps Of A Stranger

By Jyoti Pai Dhungat

It was 1:30 in the afternoon. Quiet and calm. There wasn’t much hustle bustle of people at this hour of the day. Some people waiting for their onward journey, some are just walking by. Trains come and go at their usual time. Not a minute here and there.

Everything is changed so much. How I used to see one single train, coming at one particular time and now every hour, one goes up and one goes down.

Life here is very peaceful, quiet and the scenic beauty is just amazing. The weather is pleasantly cool. Yes of course, you cannot go out without a jacket though. But I enjoy watching the people packed up in mufflers and coats and gloves and hats. It feels good to see the happy faces around. The kids play around in snow . Well, I don’t get to see the snow but still I can feel it.

For many it is just a small visit. For some it’s a place for a lifetime. Just like the visitors , one fine day, I heard some footsteps . I couldn’t turn, but after a while I saw a man walking in style, wearing a coat, muffler and with a backpack. There was something in him that struck me. His style. He was different, than the usual ones, that I see everyday. Who is he? I had this question running in my mind. And I wanted to see him, I wanted to know him, so that if he comes next time I won’t forget him.

There he was, still walking ahead and I was saying to myself wait , turn .. I want to see your face. I want to keep you in the safe place of my mind. And there, he suddenly stopped, as if he had heard me. And he turned. And there he was, a handsome young man with dark glares and a sweet smile on his face. I could see the smiling wrinkles through his glares. I had heard someone say,man with smiling wrinkles is pure and happy at heart and very fortunate. Wow what more can I say about him. Style was the man himself.

Who is he smiling at? Me? But he doesn’t know me. But yes, there was something in him, Some magical aura. It filled the whole air with love. Even I started feeling a little blush on my face.. Aha, now I know, who he saw and smiled.

Let me tell you... As I was thinking how handsome he is and all, I heard someone call. May be that was his name that I heard. The voice was as sweet as his smile. And there I saw her running towards him and he smiling again. There she came and hugged him and he hugged her back. Who is she? Wife? Yeah, I guess so. They must have come here to visit this place. But where are they from? They looked so lovely together. And how sweet that moment was.

With their such sweet little moment, they spread love and filled the air with love. And to me they gave a little bunch of memories and the sweet sound of his footsteps which I have stored in my heart forever.

I am old now, but still, I will remember this stranger forever by his footsteps. As he walked in my heart and gave me a bunch of moments to go for a lifetime.. Now... To me... he is not a stranger anymore...

Hey, why are you looking so bewildered?

Oh... I forgot to introduce myself. :)

It’s me the hanging clock from the ceiling on the Amsterdam Station , platform no. 22 A.

By Jyoti Pai Dhungat