Connected without identity

I boarded the Train number 12601 to Kozhikode from Chennai, and settled in my allotted place (Seat Number  39). The train was scheduled to depart at 8.25pm. Another 45 minutes to go. I was looking around at my fellow passengers, the luggage they carried, the number of members and their parting gestures. At  8 pm a women barged in and said "where is 38" then states, "OK this is 38". She screams later "who has left their boxes under my seat". The Head of the family who invaded her space coolly said "Madam keep your bags under the opposite seat, it is empty and there is lot of space." She said, "Ok, But I would have preferred to keep my luggage under seat number 38, that is what the ticket implies." Though reluctantly, she gives in and settles down.

My time quickly flew away watching this mini serial. The train started moving. The number 38 made a lot of phone calls, had her dinner and was sitting., not knowing what to do. I had my dinner before starting from home , so gobbled a banana and tried reading, "the 3 mistakes of life". Everbody was getting into their blanket. I smiled at the passengers in seat number 38, she responded. Then the words started flowing between us in low wispers. Oh my God!!! we spoke as though we were friends meeting after a long time. Topics exchanged were about children, husband, our travel in the past, father and mother in law, parents, sister, sis in laws, aunt, past illness and present illness, the country , getting loan for house purchase, design of house, servant, how life was for us as children how it was and will be for our children, how we spend our time and so on .........so on ............. Oh my God!!! When I think now it is 50 years of our life ( I presume seat number 38 is also that age). Within a span of 2 hours we were reminiscing, recalling nostalgic memories, and comprehending our future. We also discussed how we should treat our son in law and daughter in law. I can' t believe that we can have such  meaningful dialogue with strangers.At 12 pm we decided to go to sleep. I got at 6 am and she at 7 am. Again a few more topics which were missed out were discussed. We were oblivion of our other co passengers. The train was 30 minutes late to Khozhikode. Finally the station Ferook arrived and I had to bid her good bye, (next station was Khozhikode).We exchanged nicesities and I came to the exit door.

We had such lengthy conversation but we did not: Ask for each other's name or our address!!!!

Our identity remains as seat number 38 and seat number 39 in 12601 on the 29th November, 2011. I came to the exit door asked a couple where Westway hotel is. They said follow us. I just followed them and near the auto stand they asked a young boy to keep my bag in their car and asked me to sit . I mutely agreed. They dropped me at my destination Hotel Westway, Who are they?? I only remember them as 9051 (their car number)

Moral: Strangers are not so bad after all!!!!!!!