Chapter 1 : let the engines begin
Winter of 1901, first day of Khosrow Shah as the station master of the Jorehaut Provincial railway. The officials gave him a black horse to patrol the station and armed him with a revolver and a whip. He was appointed as the station master for the night shift. Everyday he would pray Isha and set out for duty on his horse, holding a whip in his hands. Khosrow never complained about his permanent night shift, instead, he enjoyed working during the night time as it felt 'adventurous' to him. He would often catch pick pockets in the station, but because he was very kind hearted, he didn't want the pick pockets get arrested and punished in a brutal way, so he would just whip them and tell them to not do it again. He would not disrespect the coolies (porters) like the station master of the day shift, who was actually a British official. Khosrow also used to help the old people get into the train, he was a beloved man around the station.
One foggy mid-night, Khosrow saw an old woman in the station who was walking in a very odd way, looking around the railway tracks with a scared face. She was dressed as a nun and looked bothered by something. Khosrow thought that she might have come to commit suicide, because she didn't have any luggage and was just focussing on the railway tracks. He immediately approached her and called her, but it seemed that she didn't hear him, khosrow walked past her and came in front of her, the old woman then noticed him and uttered something. Than she walked past him, and was chanting "Oh son of God! Help us! Help us". Khosrow informed the nun " I am the station master here." And asked her "Is there anything that is bothering you, mam?". The nun replied nothing, she was still looking at the railway tracks and chanting. Khosrow came near her and asked again "Mam, is there anything that is bothering you? Are you okay?", the old woman finally replied "I am okay, son. But maybe you are not." Khosrow was confused by her reply, he asked "Why so, Mam? Why do you feel I am not okay?". The woman looked towards him and said "Nearly 20 years ago, in this very station, a young girl committed suicide by jumping in front of the train." Khosrow responded "I have heard about it, but what does it even have to do anything with me?", the woman replied "Her soul still lurks here, every night!" Khosrow smiled and said in a funny way "don't worry mam, this is my daily job, I never saw any soul lurking around, but if I do, I will surely inform you". The woman seemed angry and asked "Do you think this is a joke? You can mock me, but this station is haunted, son. I am telling you!!", Khosrow apologized and than in a friendly manner, showed his taweez (amulet) to the nun and said "If any ghost comes in front of me, God will save me!". The nun smiled by looking at the taweez and replied "How do you know that God is by your side because of this amulet?" Khosrow replied "I just know, mam." He then added "Where are you heading?". The woman replied "To Dacca." Khosrow than said "Your train will be here by 2:30 am according to our schedule." He took out his pocket-watch from his pocket and looked at the time, than added "It's 2:33 already! Your train must be here anytime." The train arrived at the station that very minute, and the nun went into the train, and before departure,she adviced Khosrow "Be careful, son." She offered him a Christian cross, Khosrow didn't accept it and said "I am okay without it."
The train moved out of the station. The station was now empty, as if every waiting passenger were headed to Dacca only. Khosrow was walking back to his office alone, with a lantern in his hands. He suddenly heard some footsteps, as if someone was walking in the railway tracks, steadly. Khosrow turned back to the railway tracks, but because of the fog, he couldn't see anything. So he decided to turn back to the platform. He jumped into the railway tracks platform to check whether everything is ok. He then checked it for a while. He didn't find anyone. He proceeded to walk back to his office. Mid way, he suddenly heard the same footsteps. He looked back again. still, there was no one. The station was completely empty. Khosrow thought he might be hearing it because the Nun mentioned that the station is 'haunted'. Khosrow decided to ignor those footsteps, thinking it's just his mind playing with him. He then went back to his office. Little did he know, that his life was changing forever from this very point.....
