Tracks

Trains are fascinating. Not b'caz they have been the lifeline of B'bay. But the back and forth motion which lulls me to sleep is unbeatable. I have tried everything - from counting sheep, to prayers (mom's idea of getting the mind peaceful) to warm milk, but nothing like a long train journey. Actually, it does not even have to be all that long. It just takes a glass of cool milk to put put me asleep on a chugging train.
But that's not what I want to talk about right now. I walk to and from work on most days. There is a railway crossing which I pass through. A long while back, there was a body found very close to the tracks. Most people claimed that he was stoned, or wanted to commit suicide; whatever be the reason, there was a death here, and I felt sick for the next few days, everytime I recollected walking past the tracks.
Yesterday, I was late while going back home. I tried hailing an auto, but they gave me the most annoying expressions of refusal. It wasn't too cold for a B'lore evening, so I decided to walk back.
The railway crossing is now closed, as they are building a flyover, saving the vehicles the trouble to jamming up everytime the train pulls in and out of the city. So the crossing is shut, except pedestrians like me who, dip under the heavy level crossing barrier and trot across to the other side. Of course, the vehicles have to take a long complicated route to just get to the other size, in addition to the one-way roads which choke the city with their bad traffic management.
Before I reached the barrier, the train was heard, whistling loudly and surely bursting the ear drums and glasses of all within 10 mtrs radius. Black smoke spewing from the engine, the snaking train slowly moving towards its destination.
A thought occured to me! I am glad the night is silent, and I don't have my mp3 blasting in the ears. What if...
The thought was put to rest as soon as I had successfully crossed the tracks, and continued humming to myself till home.
mp3 player charged along with the spirits, I merrily trotted to work. I ducked under the first barrier and got between the tracks. Out of habit I looked over the shoulder to check if the track was clear.
I was aghast! The train was heading in my direction at full throttle. I hadn't worn my sneakers. The flip-flop chappals always slow me down. The fear of getting knocked down nearly froze me. I tripped on my own feet; but in enough time to get out of the way of the monstrous train wheels.
My pulse rate had shot up. My ear phones were dangling off my bag. Beads of perspiration were trickling down my temple. A basic lesson re-learnt - look right, look left, look right again, then cross.