“Passengers themselves are responsible for the security of their belongings” and who is responsible for the security of their emotions? Themselves? The TTE? The attendants – who are very clear about their responsibilities! Friends? Family? Finally it is of course “themselves” who are responsible for their emotions and there is simply no escaping it. You can reach out – whether you get a response or not is luck by chance. Oh yes, you have the love of your life sitting next to you – no guarantee at all that you will get a response. S/he is probably not in the mood or doesn’t care enough or simply doesn’t see your angst. You will be lucky if you could just be left alone to brood over your supposed injustices. And don’t bet on it every time just because it happens once.
I look through my addresses (email not snail mail) and I see that I have over 300 phone numbers saved on my mobile phone. Is that guarantee of a friend in need? Oh no! It is still a matter of the right person being at the right place. Mostly I am lucky – someone is available to listen to my angst. But the odd time I am unlucky? Then existential questions pose themselves and I ponder on larger matters of the universe. Maybe even why my little toe is so dirty. And then the balance begins to come back.
Then I go back – do I really need all these people around me. Sure they are with me 99% of the time. But I do manage that 1% myself. Isnt that enough to show me that I can manage all the time? Or even change the equation? 50-50? Or I am being arrogant? Over-confident? Is it really true that no one is an island? Really really true? Does it apply to everyone? EVERYONE?
20/Mar/2009
Navjeevan Express
Gouthami
