Recap: Jayanthan, Rajan, Ahmed, and Mrs. Mangalam are all passengers on a morning train bound for Trichy, their workplace. They encounter Jyoti, a friendly and talkative vendor, at Poongudi station, where the train is usually delayed as it waits for another one.

Part 1: Coupling Signals

Chapter 4: Downpour Disappointment

One monsoon morning, the rain came down hard above our town. Heavy rain lashed down, getting me completely wet before I could even reach the train. My packed-breakfast, sadly, became a mushy, unappetitable casualty of the downpour.

As the train reached Poongudi, hunger haunted me. With a sheepish nod, I approached Jyoti, her presence momentarily erasing the rain’s gloom.

“One idly packet, please,” I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

“Morning rough?” she asked, her voice surprisingly gentle.

My stomach gurgled in response. As I paid, I stole a peek – her hands danced expertly, flipping idly packets inside the basket, her eyes sparkling with mischief even as she chatted with customers.

Unwrapping the idly, I expected the usual burst of flavor. The sambar was like a watery soup, lacking the usual depth and complexity. Disappointment welled up, and I turned to Mrs. Mangalam, forgetting Jyoti stood right behind me. “Perhaps,” I made a wit, unable to resist a sarcastic comment, “the downpour was heavy inside the sambar and chutney pot too.”

A worried note crept into her voice as she asked from behind, “Is something wrong?”

The blood drained on my face. Jyoti stood as a silent witness to my complaint. I hadn’t meant to involve her, especially not after her kindness that morning. Swallowing my disappointment, I mumbled to Mrs. Mangalam, “Actually, it’s alright. Maybe I just need some…” I trailed off, searching for an alternative that wouldn’t hurt Jyoti’s feelings.

The silence stretched, heavy with the rain pounding on the roof.

(To be continued)

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