Romance in the Train

In college and living away from home can be lonely. Every quarter I enjoyed my visit back home. Traveling by train was challenging, but in your teens, can be romantic and exciting.

Several trips later, I was enjoying the time of my life - alone excited that I will be meeting friends and family. Once in a while, I missed the warmth that seemed to exude from this small family. I wasn’t lonely really, I had done so many visits back and forth that when I sat in the train I was used to seeing things from a bit of a romantic point of view during my journey. Don’t really know why, but that was the case with me. As I was seated, I was always seeing so many things I wanted to share with someone. I just didn’t have that someone to share with.

For an instant, that young girl across, looked at me making eye contact. I froze. I remember being still like a deer in the headlights. She seemed to be seeing right through me, as if to say she knew my heart,thoughts and desires. We looked at one another for a moment then she looked away. When she did, I felt something had been taken away from me, something I needed very much. I quickly finished the cola and wandered back to my top berth for a short nap. As I passed the young family I looked down and she looked up and smiled a smile I will never forget. What a beautiful embracing smile.

The nap was great and I woke up refreshed. I could smell the food. I was getting hungry after the nap. I don’t know why I was as hungry as I was? I had done nothing all day, but staring at people. The sun had already set, the coach was beautifully lit, lit by old smoky lights everywhere. It created such a romantic mood; I had a moment of remorse about being by myself. There was music coming from a violin like instrument, but more hoarse…that was being played at the far end of the coach by two beggars who I assumed was of some Gypsy decent. The girl was tall slim and wore a tight fitting black dress with black lace that dripped to her feet. The top was low cut exposing some flesh, enough to generate curiosity. The music was good but not soothing for me and it did spoil my mood and the ambiance

I ordered my meal, as the young family, was seated in front of me. I saw her eyes motioned to her father that she wanted to sit in a specific chair that faced me. As she sat down she looked at me and gave me a radiant smile, one that would melt any man's heart. I blushed red and quickly looked elsewhere as if not bothered by that look. I blushed because of the thoughts that engulfed me. The thoughts during the day, the romantic atmosphere, the lights everything had to be blamed.

I was thinking about her before taking my nap. If I thought she was pretty, she was beautiful at dinner. She had a body that I would describe as perfect. Slim and beautiful with she had smartness dripping all around to cause flood on the coach.

I tried to concentrate on food all the while trying to catch another glimpses of her in between without her seeing me. She noticed me twice looking straight at her and she responded with that beautiful smile. She slowly crossed and uncrossed her legs and I was sure I had soup dribbling down my chin. Then she began to swing her legs up and down in constant motion.

Those legs were enough to stop my heart. My station was fast approaching and I knew I had to talk to her at least once. With the family around I was still apprehensive. Biting nails and moving my fingers through my hair , I was thinking harder and harder…People stood up around me to alight. I had to get up too. I knew it was coming to an end. Another journey over. Thousand images filled my mind from the past 24 hours. Each one had her in them…

Then the inevitable happened. Still punching the keypad on her father’s phone, she came across to me and with her elbow brushed my hip and drew my attention…”Finally”…. I thought, I am going to leave and she wants my attention. Smiling at me with a little mischievous grin, she winked and said “Uncle , can you help me with this game?”. Her father returned and I excused myself standing realizing this small interchange with this little girl had kept me occupied for as long as I was awake.I nodded negatively at her and went towards the door, smiled and alighted and went my way..

As I lay on my bed that night I thought of how beautiful kids are. It does not matter if you know them or not, they are a treat to watch.. as a bundle of selfless thoughts, unbiased, pure reflection of God. How appropriately someone said “Kids are the most valuable natural resource in this world”