Geeta was travelling to Ernakulam, Kerala, to visit her frail, old mother for the Good Friday weekend. In tow were her three-year-old daughter Ammu, and one-year-old cherub, Appu. Since it was a late-night train, her husband, who wasn’t accompanying them on this trip, dropped them off at the station and settled them in their seats. Geeta would have to fend for herself and her children through the journey. Their co-passenger was a reticent lady, who kept to herself.
As the train left the platform and the goodbyes faded into a distance, Geeta heard a commotion brewing within the compartment. She strained her ears to hear the conversation. All she heard was, “No, no, this is not going there”. Her anxiety levels shot up when she realised the train was not headed to Ernakulam. She had boarded the wrong train!
It was a nightmare for Geeta. Concerned co-passengers suggested she alight at the next station and take another train to her hometown. Geeta knew changing trains was her only option but she wasn’t confident of doing it alone, with the kids and all her luggage. A devout Christian, she kept mumbling, “Why must I suffer through this? This is indeed turning out to be a Good Friday for us.” However, it wasn’t time for muttering and fumbling. She had to do what was needed, to reach her destination.
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