6. Identity of a Mumbaikar

I got into the 9.39 CST local from CBD, Belapur.  As was my habit, I opened the book I had with me to read during the travel time.  

The title of the book was 20 questions to know yourself.  Curious enough, I turned the pages to see what the 20 questions were.  

Meanwhile, fellow 2-3 lady passengers came in and sat beside me.  They were not in their usual chirping self.  Each one had a remorse look.  Some even had tears.  Few more came in and they started discussing who got the first phone call. Who called up whom and how they reached the hospital.  They then described the death scene of their train friend and colleague and how the in-laws of the deceased friend exhibited a callous attitude.  The loss was a personal loss only to the husband and the two daughters their friend had. 

Even though I could make out the whole incident from their discussion among themselves, I couldn't but place the person who exactly left for the heavenly abode.  After a long time, I gathered courage to ask one of the ladies, as to whom they were talking about?  She said,' you definitely know her.  Her name was Mangala - 8.26 am local in the year 1994, 8.57 am local in the year 1996 and later on she took the 9.00 am ladies special.  Don't you remember now?   

Oh, believe me, I could place her so immediately.  

In the evening while returning from work, I found a notice board in the 6.01 ladies special  local with a photo of our deceased co-traveller, a description in terms of the various trains she travelled regularly and an appeal to keep a 2 minute silence for her soul to rest in peace.  

As the train left CST station, the 2 minute mourning started and (one needs to really  see to believe  ) that the commuters in the next station i.e. Masjid, boarded the train and maintained pin-drop silence for the mourning to end.

I opened my book and the first question was - Who are you? What is the one thing that makes you special and unique?