I take a seat opposite to a young couple, in the train, on my way to Kochi. The guy was sleeping with his head on her lap. He doesnt seem to be well, I thought, just in case they require some help, hope I can. There weren’t anybody else in the cabin, hoping more will turn up at the next stop.
I looked up from my book and saw the guy sitting close to the girl , whispering , she giggling , she would whisper, he would smile. They looked fine , dont know what made me think he was not well.
I put the book back in my bag, reading in the moving train was straining my eyes.
The couple were looking into each other’s eyes exchanging sweet nothings.
I looked out of the window, kept looking, to give the couple some public privacy.
The sunlight was fading and so was the scenery outside.
And then when I looked in, I realised , I had sprained my neck, the price I got paid for my service of providing privacy.
I was recalling my train trip in an unreserved compartment, after my marriage, a travel necessiated due to force of circumstance, a cancelled flight. We were sitting like strangers next to each other.
A stupid era ?
Here the girl was biting the guy’s ear, I was hoping its not the beginning of something explosive from a progressive liberated new gen. Who can teach me, how to mind my own business, please ?
I looked out of the window, darkness had crept in, what I could see is the reflection of the inside, on the glass panes with the lights on in the compartment. Where do I look , now ?
To avoid my thoughts getting naughty , I was thinking of this couple’s travel after a few years, may be fighting over something, look at this dirty train, I told you we will go by flight, no money, I gave you the feeding bottle to put it in the bag and you left it on the table, how can you be so careless, you are always goofing up, when will you change , blah blah…
Let me cut the story short, the couple got into the kissing act, when the man , who had boarded at the previous station, sitting next to me told them politely , these are not things done in public view, go home or take a hotel room, this is my family and I do not want my children to learn and follow this path. Somebody can sue you for public nuisance. The girl started to protest, rights and freedom,when the boy gently interrupted, sorry uncle and moved out of our sight.
Well, what’s your take on this, “folks” ?
Rajmenon's Blog 
Ha ha… maybe they felt we are not looking at you people, so you also don’t look at us.
As usual beautiful description sir and I hope your neck is good now.
The strain of looking away
As usual your blog describes human nature and diminishing cultural values in public places.
In public everyone has rights. So if they want to do things which they felt right at this age may not be acceptable to others.
You are blessed with such experiences that you can succinctly write about. For me this experience is scary…. imagine if that boy was also aggressive in his response or imagine if they are shameless about such vulgar behavior, what all they could be shameless about….but well they got a story dedicated for them by you.. so all worked for them
May be they were newly married and were travelling for honeymoon! Inspite of your sprained neck you could describe the scene accurately enough shows your observing capabilities or ?
“PUBLIC PRIVACY”. Wonderful phrace.