On The Wrong Track

She heaved a sigh of relief as the train chugged out of the majestic CST station in Mumbai. Radhika had rushed to the 1st class bogey and was fortunate to find a kind gentleman at the door. He had effortlessly pulled in her luggage and then scooped her in.

Radhika had arrived on time to the station. As decided, she was waiting for her husband, Sunil, at the platform.

Mr Awasthi, Sunil’s boss had decided to open the company’s new plant near Nagpur. He had tasked Sunil his deputy to oversee the execution. The plant was ready in time and they were all headed for the opening celebrations. Since Sunil had worked hard, Mr Awasthi wanted to felicitate him at the opening. He had suggested that he gets his wife along to celebrate his accomplishment and had offered that they could join in his 1st class compartment. He saw this as an opportunity to know more about his close team.

Since they were to travel with Sunil’s boss, Radhika would have preferred to enter the train with him. He had called last minute that he was delayed in a meeting and was running late. He would board the train on the next station. Irritated at his late call, she had rushed to the compartment.

While Radhika was safely in the compartment, she was still finding her composure. The man observed the exasperation on her pretty face. A few of her soft silky hair had scattered out of her pony. Her well fitted Pista green Salwar Kameez top accentuated her full rounded breasts.

As Radhika checked herself, she was embarrassed and profusely thanked the chivalrous man. On seeing her discomfort, he made light of the situation “The bag was heavier then I imagined but luckily you were lighter than I thought”

Radhika now had regained her composure. She observed he was tall, wheatish and fit. She was impressed with the effortless manner he had helped her in. He looked aristocratic and handsome in the smart casuals. She replied with a smile “Guess you haven’t handled too many”

The man observing her well defined curves asked “Bags or Women?”

Radhika reflexively responded “You seem to have handled women but not their bags”

The man cheerfully replied “I’ll take that as a compliment. Also in management we were taught, that one should handle to handle one project at a time. I am still learning to manage women”

Radhika still soar about being ditched by her hubby responded with some irritation “Very convenient, you men learn the parts that works for you and leave us to fend for ourselves with some excuse”

The man smiled, he was enjoying her mild flare up and wanted to fan it “See the positive side, fending for oneself is good in this world, you should thank your man for it”

Radhika adjusting her silky streaks off her forehead replied “No thanks to my man! If a woman has to marry to learn to fend for themselves then she is marrying for the wrong reasons”

He liked her confidence, complimented “I think your husband must be smart, he married you for the right reasons”

Radhika responded sarcastically “Lucky him!”

While the conversation was fun, the man decided it’s time to settle in, spoke “We can keep talking here but our journey is 10 hours so let me help you to your cabin”

Radhika would have preferred to enter the cabin with Sunil, suggested “We could get some fresh air here, unless you are getting late”

Kapil, while looking around to find a support for himself in the moving train, replied “I have no appointments for the next 10 hours, so we can move whenever your legs feel tired”

Radhika enjoying the company responded “I prefer tired legs over a boring journey. I have to be at my best for the next 10 hours. So let me enjoy the fresh air, before I get into that claustrophobic cabin”

The man flirted back “I thought you were already at your best, guess I underestimated you”

Radhika opened her purse and pulled out a lipstick “Men always under estimate women”. She moved towards the small mirror on the compartment’s passage and deftly painted her full lips pink.

The man still swaying with the train replied “You all can perfectly put lipstick even in bumpiest of journeys. By the way, a darker shade may look better on you.”

Radhika setting her hair right in the mirror replied “We learn the art of balancing, keeping the husband, children, his parents and even his boss happy and impressed.

The man enjoying the passing breeze happily countered “Since I don’t have anyone to impress in the next few hours I will enjoy the breeze ruffling my hair. Come join in.”

Seeing the man put his face in the breeze, Radhika was tempted but wasn’t sure if she really wanted to let her hair down with a stranger. As she repainted her lips darker, she finally decided a few moments wouldn’t harm and came forward. The door was narrow. The gentleman moved behind so Radhika could take his place. The mild rub of her full breasts rubbed against his chest. It was already difficult for him to look away from them and here they were right at him. He quickly overcame the distraction and said “The wind may pluck you away, so hold tight”

Radhika spoke as she enjoying in the breeze across her face “I am not easy to sweep me off my feet”

He stood behind observing her attractive curves. While her dark golden streaked hair were held in a clip, some of them had found a way to get out and enjoy the breeze.

He suggested “Let your hair lose, enjoy the rush of air” as he relived the erotic brush of her endowment.

In a few moments her phone rang.

She secured herself by retreating, pulled out her phone from her large handbag and said “Hello”

Her expression changed as she said “So I’ll also get down, and come with you in the next train. On the other side was her husband Sunil. He slurred slightly “No, don’t get down, I don’t have tickets, I am just going to get in. There may be no seat. Alone, I’ll manage somehow”.

Radhika sensed he was lying spoke “How can you leave me alone? Why are you late? Did you really get late in a meeting?”

Sunil confessed “My colleagues insisted I give them a party. Don’t know how time flew. Sorry!”

Radhika was livid “So you forgot your wife when a drink came in front of you. I am going home!”

Sunil begged “No please, Kapil Sir will not like it if neither of us joined him. It’ll be embarrassing”

Radhika “I don’t care. You should have thought of it before picking up the glass”

Sunil explained “I couldn’t help it. You know it is. Can’t just walk away na. I am sure you’ll handle the journey well. Kapil sir is a nice man”

Radhika angrily replied “I am sure he will take better care then you”

Sunil not wanting to this further replied “Tomorrow morning I’ll be right next to you. Now I better rush to the station. bye”

Radhika cut the line knowing she had no way out. Not travelling with his boss, could be insulting and spoil Sunil’s prospects.

The man broke the silence “I couldn’t help hearing your conversation. Looks like your man ended up at the bar instead of the station”

Radhika still angry “How irresponsible can you all be? I was least interested in this journey, wasting my weekend smiling at every stupid joke and joker!”

She could have continued with her tirade but the man spoke “I think the next station should arrive in the next few minutes, it’s best to settle down to beat the incoming rush.”