Detangle the happiness :)

              My train journeys have always been different every time giving me something to write about them. So as the train was ready to depart from the Bangalore station all that was on my mind was to find someone different so that I can write about them. Oh this time it was a package, usually I find some single person to write but this time I got a full family. Let me count how many were there. 2 brothers tall, hard build … their wives comparatively very tiny.. And there were 11 children in all. Ok. I seriously don’t know who was whose: P.

              So in all 15 people to write about, isn’t it a jackpot I thought. Observing 15 people and writing is so hard. Not in this case. The full 6hrs of their journey, my journey, and the people travelling with us was centred only on the two brothers. So what was special about them was they were DRUNK. Yes I’m certain they were DRUNK AND STONED. So I was sure I’ll get a nice topic to write about a fight, the railway police interrupting and they being arrested and what not was on my mind but all was proved wrong. Nothing happened as I expected.

             The brothers were all so suited up for their behaviour. They were masters of being drunk and behaving. The brothers were so diplomatic and naïve about drinking in public. They used to frequent to the toilet with their Aquafina bottles. Come back full high stoned. The smell of “pot” was all in air as they moved past me. As they moved along the path the ladies moved aside passing on a weird wicked smile to other ladies and men never cared to look into the drunken man’s eyes. Everyone knew what happens if they tried to: D

              The family of 15 were all hooked onto one topic, well children were busy among themselves but occasionally they would put in their words also. Usually when drunk people around, only he is the one who talks but the amazing part was all spoke. UNITY I thought, but actually I found out that the family is used to have a drunken breadwinner. I don’t know what they talk, because everyone was chattering. But occasionally the brothers would raise voice hurl some abuse to their family members. Apart from that nothing annoying.

               Behind all the smiles and happiness were some totally hurt & ashamed souls. The adolescent sons were so humiliated seeing their parents get into fight shout talk nonsenses that they resorted to some other quiet place. The son sometimes came and scolded his dad and family to maintain some dignity. The wives couldn’t raise their head and look into others face. Every other passer-by would stare at them and pass a chill look. The drunken brothers would make fun of the pantry crew every time and they were no less they would retaliate back in more funnier manner creating a sense of humour.

               That was the best part of the journey, despite being surrounded by problems, guilt, shame and the one thing that stood out was their unity. They shared some great humorous moments like the wives and children would try and hide the bottles. The younger brother would drink everything and say the ladies threw it out. The children would have fun talking to their dad in broken English and he would reply in English though he dint know the language. The family would sit and laugh with every joke the elders passed and equally tears flow down when things would get out of control too. The sons made sure their dad did not jump out of the train, the wives made sure he was kept happy.

               As their destination neared the brothers took responsibility and made sure everyone got down, dint allow their wives to carry heavy loads. Well after that they would have reached home hopefully wake up laughing to yesterday: P: P