Birthday party in local

I go to office by train from Borivali to Bandra. Usually I take 7.57am fast local (in Mumbai suburban train is abbreviated as local) to Churchgate.

Train was at station, so in rush I get into last second coach of the train. In local regular traveler usually forms a group. So there was a mixed group of all ages and regions, seating in two and half cells of coach (one cell is a set of two benches facing each other) and few standing in between.  Group was full of energy and fun. They give a loud welcome to any member of group boarding local. The fun and welcome was filled with abuse to each other but no one feel humiliation. Other co-travelers might be uncomfortable with their behavior but they were in their own world just enjoy it and try to give it back hard.

So it was birthday of one member standing near window. He was half bald and seems to be around 50s of his age. Someone from the group declares the news of birthday and then everyone starts greeting birthday boy in their own style.

Usually when train start people shout “Ganpati Bappa Morya” but this group was different, shouting some abusive comments. They target one person and starts pulling his legs the entire journey and target also enjoy it.

To my surprise birthday boy take out a cake from his bag. It was a half kg cake chocolate. In absence of table one person hold the cake for birthday boy to cut it and everyone sings birthday wish. Cake was distributed between members only (we outsider did not get anythingL). If someone is seating far away then cake was passed to him from hand to hand.

Our train crossed Kandivali station. After cake, birthday boy withdraw some snacks from his bag. It was “Alu wada” served in paper plate with some chutney. Everyone was enjoying and making fun.

As our train crossed Jogeshwari station, birthday boy again surprised me with a big 2.5 liter bottle of coke. Unbothered of glass they starting taking a couple of sips from bottle and passing it to other member. They were snatching bottle like school kids.

My train was about to reach Bandra station. Giving it complete touch birthday boy pull out some sweets from Santa’s bag.  I guess it was “Sheera” a homemade sweet of flour and sugar.

Local reached Bandra station and I alighted happily as if coming from a wonderful birthday party.

Cheers!

Mohit

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