The day started to move fast to be evening. Every day after lunch, time moves lethargic. But after tea break, once it is 4 pm in the evening, seconds will fly with wings. Tessa could not sit in peace. She has to catch her train by 8 pm. It is already 6 pm and she has completed only 90 percent of the work. Restlessness started to set in, and she asked her colleague to finish the pending work fast. With their hands together, they finished the work by 6:30 pm. With her brisk stride she climbed down the stairs fast. As it has been raining for the past two days, the street looked deserted with a very few people and vehicles.
Tessa reached her hostel in fifteen minutes. Briskly she packed her things and started to move out of the hostel. With the little time left to grab something and quench her hunger, she decided to eat something on her way or at the railway station. But, the smart maid at her hostel kept her night super packed and ready. The girl has packed her super along with a bottle of water. Tessa thanked her with a smile. “Akka, here is your super.” Tessa grabbed her dinner and rushed out of the hostel. She took an auto and rushed to the railway station.
When the train moved in, the entire crowd rushed inside to occupy a seat. As Tessa could not get a reservation, she decided to travel in the general compartment which is for the unreserved passengers. As usual the general compartment looked overcrowded. Tessa managed to find a place to stand near the entrance of the compartment. Tessa could feel the warm breath of others who stood near her.
Luckily she got the company of a batch of young college girls and boys. The group on their way to her home town turned the place lively with their loud cheerful chat and made her feel relieved. The young boys arranged their heavy, big suitcases one by on the floor of the compartment and made a temporary seat for them to sit. They took turns to sit and relax for a while.
Whenever she traveled home, Tessa managed to reserve her ticket. That time she could not do so. The sudden death of her 90 year old grand-mother forced her to travel in the unreserved general compartment.
“Excuse me, you can sit for a while.” One of the girls called Tessa. “Thank you.” With a smile Tessa sat down. The girls looked at her long plaited hair.
“How did you manage to maintain your hair? It looks so thick, black and long.”
“Nothing.” Tessa smiled at them. “I apply only coconut oil.”
“No. We will not accept it. I am sure, you apply something special on your hair.” The girl who sported a short, thick hair questioned her with a doubt.
“My mother used to prepare the oil for me. She will pick fresh hibiscus flowers, dry them and soak them in the coconut oil.”
“Then, tell me.”
“My mother will pour the oil in a clean bottle along with dry hibiscus flowers and keep it in the sun light for more than ten days.”
“Oh, then it is the secret of your dark, long hair.” Everyone burst into a loud laughter.
One mischievous girl from the crowd shouted at her. “I would love to have a sister-in law like you with your long, dark plaited hair that really looks like a snake.”
Tessa smiled at her. “Oh. But, I am not ready to accept your proposal now.”
“Oh, my God, have you taken it so serious?” The girls burst into laughter once again. Tessa blushed with her cheeks turning red.
“Hi, look at her. How she blushes? I have never seen a girl blushing like you. You are the suitable match for my brother.”
“Shall I ask my brother to propose to you?”
“With pleasure.” Tessa answered her with a smile.
