Traveling into the heart of a wayfarer

by Divyadarshi Nahak (India)

I didn't expect to find India

Who am i? I mean honestly this question doesn't really intrigue me a lot these days but the one question which has got on my nerves is "Where am I"? I thought travelling distances and going into the lap of nature would somehow recline me. My story unfolds and unwinds in the most unexpected possible ways. I remember it was 31st of December and Saturday.I was returning home. The train was crowded and I boarded the train to talcher from the main Bhubaneswar station. It's the capital city of our state Odisha.For a small town guy,bhubaneswar felt like paradise. I never really wanted to return back. But I had to because I love my family so much. Back to the train.There was no place to stand or breathe.I felt like I am in the middle of a war and I had to seal my Victory. I fought till the next 2 stations for 1 long hour. And I found a seat atlast.I knew i had a lot of time till I reach my stoppage. So I choose to waste my time. I plugged in my earphone and started listening to some blues and jazz. I had just closed my eyes and trying to get a short nap. I heard a gentle voice. It had a beautiful husk and texture.I had to open my eyes and I found that he was a grumpy bearded old man. But Oh! sweet Lord what a voice he had? He looked thin and weak.I offered him some money. He denied and in a sobbing voice he says-"what do you think I'm a beggar? " It was embarrassing. I never saw it coming. But what happened next was more unexpected. He asked me to sit still and he'd sketch a portrait in no time. He took out his old self made charcoal pencil, a small piece of pointed brick. It looked unique and equally ambiguous to me. To add more to his talent pool he had a great voice too. I didn't knew it untill he played a hindi song with his old chromatic mouthorgan. I couldn't resist myself. I hugged him. The sketch was so perfect that he could easily land himself in a job as a sketch artist.He earned the money and my respect. Before I could have known more about him. My stoppage came and i got off the train. I kept visiting the station near my home for few more days but never found him.He was sowly fading from my mind. This time I was watching over the google map and one name intrigued me, the name was Scotlandpur. Pur is a suffix we use back in India for villages. The name seemed funny and strange so I decided to visit it. I was on my bike and suddenly I passed by a wayfarer who was walking barefooted. The figure looked familiar. Yes, it was him.I didn't expect to find him.I had to return back. Before I could ask him for lift. He hopped onto the back seat of my seat.I asked him where I have to stop by. Look at the fate we had the same destination.I reached scotlandpur atlast. It was a small village had some beautiful temples and some scenic location.He asked me to drive through the woods and there was a small mud hut. He was a truely genuine human.He asked me to come inside. I knew I have to stay back as it was already dark. We did camp fire,played music and roast some meat.After the dinner was finished.I was sitting inside and I saw a picture of a boy hanging on the wall. It was awkward but I asked about him. He told me that it is his son whom he is visiting the next day. So the next morning. He was already awake. And we drove to the station. After he boarded the train. We both bid goodbye to each other. I decided to have a cup of tea in the station. Suddenly a old man clears his throat and looking at me with faded expression.He says"After loosing his son. He has gone mad and every Saturday boards the morning 1st passenger since last 10 years."