The Train Ride

A story of life....

I’ve been steering my train with her as my passenger for almost 9 years…. until today.

Remembering the last stop I had where she was waiting all alone in the station, it was a fine day. Seeing her beautiful yet innocent smile, I offered my train to take her to any destination she likes. She agreed and sat at the passenger’s seat beside me. We had a good conversation that ended up to asking her to join me on this ride for as long as she wants.. and as long as she’s happy. She accepted. And we started a journey together..

I didn’t mind passing through rough tracks, going through tough and dangerous curves, and traveling through dark and deserted tunnels. All because of the one passenger I had, all because of her. Only her. I was not afraid of navigating through the railway even the precarious weather was humping our ride, but rather I was wary to approach another station as other passengers might get in and ruin the wonderful time we were enjoying, or worse, she might opt to get off. The trip brought us to a lot of cool Sunday afternoons of chatting, stormy and miserable arguments through the weekdays and to a number of earnest and honest reconciliation through the weekends. But in spite of it all, I was glad. If only for the company of my only passenger, I was glad all throughout the ride.. All throughout the nine years.

But one nippy afternoon after a seemingly long day, I had come to face my fear. She needed to descend at the next station. She said she wasn’t happy anymore with the path we were taking.. She was searching for a better journey.. Unmistakably saddened by this, I offered yet another route to suit her needs. She refused. I felt tears touched my face.. I begged her to stay. She remained unyielding.

Upon reaching that dreaded station, she prepared to get off and thanked me for the memorable ride she had. Naively hurt, I watched her slowly walked away down to her last step from the train in to the platform where she waited. I wanted to hold her back but I knew the attempt would be futile. She looked ready for another ride, that is, on another train.

I had trouble starting my used-to-be perfect train. My only passenger with whom my world revolved around was gone. I did not know what to do. The empty seat beside me depicted life without her, an empty and a sad one. I did not feel like traveling any further.. More so, I did not want to travel alone.. I couldn’t.. But I had to.

It took a while before my train started moving. It was dragging along the tracks. Just then, as I looked back behind my seat I saw familiar faces. I forgot they had been riding my train from the very first station it set off. My parents were seated just behind me, reaching out to give some pat on my shoulder, assuring me the trip will be fine. My siblings, shared seats with each other, offering some food so I could get my energy back from a long journey I had, or rather we had. My friends weren’t far behind as well, cheering me up with all the stories and on with their laughter. My relatives and close acquaintances from a distance were looking cared to give a warm smile. Then I realized.. I wasn’t alone after all..

I realized I still have the most important people with me.. People whom I cared for most of my life even since my train sounded its first horn, my very reasons for living. People who believed in me and never failed to be there for me. People who taught me how to steer my train and discover routes on my own…………… People who helped me steer again..

And now here I am, moving forward as I start another journey. I am delighted with all the passengers I have on board, and at the same time enthusiastic by the thought that someone would get in on one of the stops ahead. And hoping she would stay forever the moment she climbs on the train that I am steering.