THE IRRESISTIBLE CALL

Ms. Introvert couldn't sleep the whole night. She had to catch a train the next day. The non- cozy, non- familiar train. The train doesn't give her comfort. The train throws her among so many unfamiliar faces and takes her to another place among another set of unfamiliar faces. 

Ms. Introvert didn't like the idea of traveling. But, she couldn't stay back. She was only eight years old. She had to travel with her family. Thousands of thoughts kept her awake throughout the night. She cursed the invention of the train. She prayed to God for some solution. All in vain…

She knew there was no way out. She has to travel in all possibilities. “People would laugh at me.” Fear gave her goosebumps. “How would I eat in a train?”. She cried silently. “How would I use the washroom on the train?” She cried more, but was careful at the same time that no one should be awake. “How would I reply if the person sitting in front of me would ask something?” Hopeless she was. 

Actually Ms. Introvert used to fall short of words while talking to strangers though she was the chirpiest person and queen of endless conversation in front of her mother. 

That fateful night passed by quickly. Time was running faster than usual. It was an early morning train, so everyone in the family was in a great rush. No one could read the fear written around Ms. Introvert’s face. They hurried and reached the railway station. It was a small railway station. The train had not arrived yet. The railway tracks were shining with the sunlight.

THAT WAS THE MOMENT. 

Ms. Introvert heard that irresistible call of the railway tracks.

Ms. Introvert vanished. 

Two decades have passed since that incident. 

This morning, one happy and confident girl got down at the same small railway station. This girl likes to travel by train. The cozy train seats give her comfort. The changing panorama outside the window is a treat to her eyes. Reading while traveling is so therapeutic to her. This girl has gone on so many solo trips as well. She can discuss anything with anyone confidently though she avoids doing so by wearing headphones all the time. She is more than eager to explore every place she has read in her Geography book. She is amazed at the fact that the world is woven by a network of railway tracks.

On this railway station, this confident girl smiled at Ms. Introvert who had vanished two decades ago.

Two decades ago, on that fateful morning, while waiting for the train and gazing the railway tracks shining with early morning sunrays; Ms. Introvert had the moment of realization. She had realized that deep down in her head, she wanted to travel the world. She wanted to explore every place she had read about in her Geography book. The irresistible call of the railway tracks helped her in overcoming her fear. The morning breeze relaxed her. 

This change in her personality was so silent that no one in her family could notice. But the railway tracks, the morning breeze and the sunshine witnessed the moment.

So, this morning when Ms. Introvert turned Ms. Confident smiled at herself; the same old railway tracks and the fresh morning breeze and the new sunshine giggled with her.

POV: sometimes revolutionary change takes place silently.

Note:Based on true incidents.

Name of Ms. Introvert turned Ms. Confident is Prachi.