A Kindness at Katpadi (721 words)

 

At Katpadi Junction, the first departure bell had just rung.

An elderly woman, nearly seventy-five, sat clutching a small cloth bag. She turned to the passenger beside her and asked him in a trembling voice,

“Son, this train goes to Bangalore, doesn’t it?”

The man looked at her in alarm.

“No, Patti (Grandmother)! This train goes to Mangalore, not Bangalore. Be quick, where’s your luggage? You must get down right away. Come, let me help you.”

Before she could gather her thoughts, he had lifted her physically down, along with her cloth bag and a small suitcase, onto the platform. The whistle blew, the engine roared, and the train pulled out, leaving the old woman standing bewildered with her luggage on the long  platform.

Her heart sank. Her grandson had, by mistake, put her on the wrong train. Never in her life had she travelled alone. Now she found herself stranded in an unfamiliar station. The platform grew emptier by the minute. Fear rose in her throat, and her eyes blurred with tears.

Just then, a young porter approached, his voice gentle.

“Pattiamma, shall I carry your luggage to the waiting hall? Are you expecting someone to meet you?”

She shook her head and spoke in panic.

“No… a mistake has happened. Instead of the Bangalore train, my grandson put me on the wrong train. My son-in-law would be waiting for me at the Bangalore station. Is there another train right away? Please help me onto it, God will bless you abundantly.”

The porter’s face softened.

“Pattiamma, there is no Bangalore train just now. Don’t worry. I’ll inform the Station Master. Till then, sit here. You are wearing gold jewels. Keep your jewels covered as much as possible, don’t talk to or follow any strangers.”

She nodded weakly. “I’ll wait here.. Please go quickly.”

A little while later, the Station Master himself came walking towards her. His voice was calm, reassuring.

“Amma, you seem to have boarded the wrong train and landed here. At your age, such journeys are not to be taken alone. Do you have your daughter’s number in Bangalore? Or your son-in-law’s?”

With trembling hands, Patti opened the small pouch tied at her waist and handed him a folded slip of paper. On it were her daughter’s address and phone number.

The Station Master, Mr. Manickam, took her to his room, along with the porter. He called the number immediately and spoke to her daughter about her mother’s safe presence at the station, explaining how he had planned to resolve the problem. “Please hold the line and listen.’

He turned to the old woman and spoke. “Amma, you are pretty lucky despite the goof-up by your grandson. By God’s grace, you are in safe hands. My own son and daughter-in-law are leaving shortly in their car for Bangalore. Since they live in Banashankari, they will drop you safely at your daughter’s home in Jayanagar. Don’t worry. If you agree, I’ll send you with them.”

On the other end of the line, her daughter was moved to tears.

“Do such good people still walk this earth? I don’t know how to thank you, sir. Truly, God Himself has come in your form. My mother doesn’t eat outside food. Can you please buy her some bananas and a bottle of water? She will pay you. And may I speak to her for a moment?”

When Patti heard her daughter’s voice, her eyes brimmed again.

“Amma, the Station Master has spoken to me. Don’t worry. Come along with his son and his wife. I’ll be waiting for you. Give him money for fruits and water.”

From her pouch, she pulled out a hundred-rupee note and handed it to the porter, who helped her initially.

She turned to the Station Mister and said, “Be well, my son. May your life be filled with blessings. Kindly accept the cost of the fruits and the water bottle,” as she opened her purse.

But Manickam shook his head gently but firmly.

“Amma, as you said, I am like your own son. I want no money. Go freshen up. In ten minutes, my boy and his wife will be here. By evening, you will be home, safe in Bangalore. Ask your daughter to inform me about your arrival. Truly, by God’s grace, all has ended well.”