I could sleep

I was in the train. Another 12 hours of journey, overnight travel. Of course, my wife was sitting in front of me. This was one of the rare occasions these days we watched continuously each other sitting opposite. We had done like that only in the early years of our marriage. We found nothing else so interesting to do then, we had nothing else to do now in the running train!

“We shall buy something to eat in the train, no need to pack something” my wife had announced to my joy. Something different would be available to eat. Before the train started, one guy came and told us not to buy anything from the platform. “There is a pantry in the train and you would get fresh food for a cheaper price” he had added. Those words made me more enthusiastic, looking forward to something more interesting in the journey at least for the first two hours. 

Two hours went by. Three hours went by. Nothing came. I eagerly looked as and when each person passed through the passage. Hoping that some vendor might be coming in without the usual shouting of what he had to offer. Nobody came with food, neither quietly nor shouting. It was getting late and I knew empty stomach would never put me into sleep. 

Things got worsened. The family next to us opened their food packets which they brought from home. The aroma did more harm than good to me.  Even if in the un-likelihood of them offering some food to me, I decided I would not. “Do not take food offered by strangers in the train” the announcement made at the platform was still ringing in my ears. They might lace food with some sedative and put us into sleep. And if they stole my wallet that contained close to 500 rupees, I would not be able to sleep for the next two days. And if they stole the gold chain worn by wife, then she would not sleep for rest of her life! It was better for me to starve and do not sleep this night!

Finally late in the night one guy came. He had to offer only Chicken Biriyani. It could have been fresh, probably when it was prepared long time ago. I had no choice but buy it. To the question whether anything more edible would come later, his reply was not convincing. I decided to face that challenge, carefully removing the chicken pieces and the rice around them. To make it purely vegetarian and then consume. To get some sleep at least! And I slept.

I had a challenge in the return trip as well. Obviously, my wife was again sitting opposite to me, but that was a minor challenge. Hunger was not an issue this time either. I had taken care of that part well. After attending a religious function that day, I had eaten much more than required. Not only because it was free, but also to make sure that my stomach would not go empty while traveling. In fact I could go on without food for another day or two, I had eaten that much!

My worry was different. I could see cockroaches moving around the floor, some of them even flying and making sorties! My worry was how I would get sleep. Even if I went to sleep these cockroaches might enter in my nose, ears and all possible holes in my body. That very thought kept me awake for a long time.

Then I could smell a pungent smell. It was mild while entering the train. But it became stronger as the train started moving and the air conditioner in the coach started circulating air more rigorously within itself with no way to exit! No wonder the cockroaches were in full action. They were suffocated by the strong pest-control chemicals used. The strong smell of the chemical was not bad enough for them to faint and die. But it was more than bad enough to make me almost unconscious for the rest of the night. Just to wake up in the morning with a severe head-ache. At least it made me sleep with no worries of flying objects and of them entering into unwanted territories.

Sleep is a must for all, dreamless the better! And there could be some days one does not get sleep. Luckily there are many ways, good and bad, to induce sleep.  The challenge is to follow the good ones and avoid the easy, bad ones.