An early morning train travel is definitely not an enjoyable proposition. Making it to the station on time was my first challenge. I boarded the train and promptly fell asleep. After about an hour, a heavy elbow landed on my back and I awoke with a high-pitched scream! 'I am sooo soorrrrryyyy..!!' It was a deadly-white-coloured foreigner in red coloured near-tattered clothes...'I was trying to shove my bag up there..'she said....I glared at her..! Her books and bags occupied so much space that I found myself in an uncomfortale posture..! Minutes rolled by...Feeling slightly hungry and bored,I opened a pack of my favourite biscuits..I spotted her eyeing the biscuits..!Overcome by a sense of compassion(!!!), I offered her some..She dug her dirty hands deep into the cover and picked up a bunch of biscuits...I noticed the packet becoming less than half its original size...'Where are you from?' my curiosity got the better of me...'Germany...and my name is Christina..and you?'...That was just the beginning...For the next two hours I listened to all that she had heard about India...and how she was 'really very scared of Indian snakes..'! My mind was working on how to get rid of this chatterbox...'Masal Dosa..!!' shouted the guy from the pantry...'Have you tried that?' I asked her with feigned enthusiasm...'No..'she said...I bought just one..for her..'Oh..you arent having any?!''No..am not hungry..!' I said...
The masala dosa didn't look one bit inviting..! Memories of mess food flooded my mind..! She took nearly 45 minutes to nibble the dosa...'Can I have one more?' She asked, pulling out her purse...The pantry was close by and I went with her to buy one...She opened her purse and turned to me 'Oh...I am running short of Indian currency..would you mind paying..?! I'll repay once I land in Chennai!'..'No problem..'I said!
She ate the second with greater relish...!' For the next two to three hours, it was the turn of another chap to listen to her..!! Slowly, the train came to a halt..
'Is this Chennai Central?'..she couldn't hide her delight...'My friend is coming to pick me up...I'll repay what I owe you..!
We scanned the whole platform looking for her friend, who was nowhere to be seen...I spotted my mom, who had caught a glimpse of this dirty foreigner clinging on to me..!! Her glare said all that she wanted to..I turned to Christina and said..'Never mind, that's a treat! I have to leave now...' 'Hmm...talking with strangers..!! Did you give her your address and number too!?!' my mother asked 'Of course not..! am no 2 yr old..! I was just showing 'Indian' hospitality to a traveller..' the dosa story that continued, did not please my mother one bit!! All she had to say was...'Don't talk to strangers...'
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