Last train to Mumbai

I am Nandini. And yes I have changed my name when I entered this new city.

I was just 15 when I fell in love with a boy who used to run a local grocery shop in our village. I would ask my mother to go to the shop anytime that I can get a chance. But little did I know that infatuation will soon turn into love and that soon will turn into something else.

I belong to a village in Orissa and in our place you can’t even wear a pair of jeans. I mean you can, but then you be ready to be damned for the rest of. Your life by the wisdom-filled older people of the village. So after finishing my 10th I was expected to take care of the household and help my parents on the farm. My father was looking out for a groom and I was madly in love with Pankaj-the grocery store owner’s son. He loved me too, at least that’s what he used to tell me.

On my 21st birthday, I decided to ask Pankaj if he wants to marry me. And he said YES. I was on 7th sky. After that, we would spend so much time together as Pankaj said that he will talk to his father and soon we will get married.

One day I fell really sick and…….. well, to cut long story short, I was pregnant.

I was not married, I was from a lower caste and I was pregnant. And yes, I have a younger sister too.

Apart from me, nobody knew about it, not even Pankaj. I rushed to his house and asked him if he will really marry me? I told him about my pregnancy and that’s when he started calling me names. He told me that I am a whore and how could he ever marry me.

I felt my life had ended. I went to a nearby station and thought that I will take my life. But to my luck, I found a pamphlet saying wanted sale girls in reputed stores in Mumbai and that’s when it occurred to me to just vanish away. And so I did.

I took the last train to Mumbai.

Just in case if you are wondering about my pregnancy and what do I do in Mumbai.

I am working in a parlor with Rita Aunty and she’s a gem of a person.

And yes,

I have a wonderful son name Rajesh and he’s 5 years old. He goes to school.

I am not married, and it’s still a problem in a place like Mumbai too.

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