The Year-End Train (2020)
I stand at the station, on the overhead bridge. Looking at the train as it comes to a halt on the only platform there is. No train comes back here, it seems. It only goes one way; forward.
As I spectate from up top, I see the passengers already seated on the benches giddy-up and pace towards the train with their baggage. I can also see the people who just walked into the station, running towards the train.
All of this reminds me of how I have been here before. In place of all of these people at one point in the past. Sometimes on time and sometimes running through the gates. Every time has always been different.
I continue to spectate the bustle of the station. Careless. Carefree…
Is it possible that others have been here before? I look on either side of the bridge and find no one, it feels as if this bridge is non-existent to the people on the station.
As I closely spectate from above, I see people are still coming in from the back gates of the station.
I get more intrigued as the minute passes. The passengers are boarding the train. Some of them are sad and gloomy and some are excited. While there are some who just stare at the train.
I remember being at the later stage. I stared at the train back when I had come here for the very first time. When I was not aware of where the train would go. I kept asking myself why I am boarding this train. And the only deciding factor for me then was to board because everyone was boarding.
Now, it feels like a very naive way to decide. But I guess it was needed at that time. I continue looking at these passengers without any wish to help them. Being content that they would too, figure it out, as I have.
There is an announcement at the station. The train is about to leave. Its engine has started. And there are some passengers that are trying to board it at the last minute and are successful.
While some have failed to board intime. And now must wait until another train comes next year.
I recall having failed once. That year didn’t feel very good. Society doesn’t look at you the same when you have failed to do something as simple as boarding a train.
But there is complexity in simplicity and only I could understand that for myself. That year was the year of rejection, but that year was also the year of growth. Like all my years have been. Growth is the constant that has lived with me ever since my memory serves.
In the present moment, the train continues to move away swiftly on its track. Not stopping for anyone who might have been left behind. And I continue to feel this content seeing it leave.
Because it is not going, Where I want to go.
The End.
( BONUS) A FICTIONAL ENDING
The train has left, the people feel gloomy having missed the train. I feel disconnected from everything while I step down from the overhead bridge. I see someone sitting on the bench, with his head in his hands, in utter despair. I move towards him hoping that maybe I can say something that would cheer him up.
I sit by the bench and put my hand on his shoulder, and voice “It’s going to be okay.” He wipes his face and looks up. We both are awestruck and in shock, he looks like me, or rather, he is me from the time when I had missed the train. I look around closely, and every person on the platform is me, but from different times that we have come to this platform.
All the people who boarded were me from different times who had successfully boarded, and who had barely got in at the last minute.
I start to realize that I am stuck at the station in a time loop. with no way, I can think of to get out.
By Tasaduq.
