Before going into the Episode-02 [The Ticket], here is the recap of last week Episode [The Start]

Recap: 

After finishing his work in office Koushik started his way to Railway Station. Helped a man who asked directions to a place. Listening to music and following Google route commentary he reached Tirupati Railway Station.

The Ticket

Thanking Google, for the maps that made my way easier, I entered the railway station. As I entered, I saw an enquiry section on my left side, way to the platform straight in front of me, and on right, there were some shops. Not getting a clue of where to get a ticket, I entered enquiry line. .

As an educated person I know that it is an enquiry counter, and no tickets will be sold, but my innocence followed an uneducated man, who got into the line for a ticket. The line was slow and as I approached the counter, I noticed everyone asking queries but not tickets. Without any tension I prepared myself to ask where to get a ticket? Yeah! It’s funny but I was left with no other option.

At that time, came a guy asking for the directions to ticket counters. What the bloody hell! Am I looking like a tourist guide? Everyone comes to me for directions. Why do I stand in this long queue if I knew the directions to the ticket counter? The situation made me angry and when I was about to speak, the man behind me directed him to the ticket counter, with his hand. Then all of a sudden, I jumped over the barricades and followed him to the ticket counter.

He was too fast, and to me, the station seemed to be nothing more than a fish market. In fact it is one of the biggest tourist places across India and a pilgrimage, that crowd is acceptable. In every direction I see clean shaved heads and kids sleeping on the floor accompanied by their parents. I was struggling to catch his speed without stepping on the people sitting around but however, I reached the ticketing counter. Looking at the small queue at counter No.4, we both moved into that queue.

 I am very weak at conversing with strangers. With utmost struggle I started my conversation with a Hi! And asked him where he was going?

He replied “I am leaving for Hyderabad Dude! Where are you going?”

“I started to my hometown, Kadapa” I said.

In no time we realized that queue is moving very slow when compared to the queue at counter No.3. Then he asked me to stand in the queue of counter No.3, whoever first approaches the counter will take the tickets, one for Hyderabad and another to Kadapa. Agreeing for that, I skipped to queue no.3. Though my queue is lengthy I got the position equal to him in no time and from then my queue got a break, and was not moving.

With a hope of his approach to the counter I turned my face to counter No.4. That counter too was stopped due to some technical problem in the system, and my counter was stopped as the serving men went to counter 4 to resolve the problem. Men from the back started shouting at the counters for tickets.

And here comes the announcement saying Rayalaseema Express is ready on platform number 4. Hearing that we both had a convincing look at each other’s face, peeked at the clock and slowly turned to the counters, and those guys were still busy, working on the issue. We just remained staring at them.

However the problem got solved, the stacks started moving and he reached the counter first, and paid for the tickets. I was waiting for him outside the counter, and as soon as he came out of the queue I collected my ticket and seeing the charge as 60/- on the ticket I gave that charge and we headed to the platform number 4, by confirming the platform from LED display.

I asked him how he will manage in the general compartment for such a long journey. As we were late, no seats will be left even to sit. He replied that his friends are waiting for him in sleeper coach, but, as he decided late to travel, the reservation was closed. Then I replied with a normal ok. He was rushing to the platform.

Seeing him hurrying I said “there is still 15 min time for the train to depart, we can go slowly.” With a small smile on his face he slowed his steps. During the entire conversation he was looking at the ticket and counting the money. He repeated that several times. I asked him “what happened dude?”. With a full surprise in his face, he replied “The ticket fare has been raised by 30/- in just 10 days, last time when I came it was 90/- and now it is 120/-“. I gave a smile at him which I regularly have on my face and asked him, “Why are you counting money that many times? Have you lost some?”

With a big laugh he replied “No! No! man”, he continued his reply and mean while we got to the stair case to change platforms. And we continued our way to platform No.4………….