ORDINARY,NO EXTRAORDINARY

The sun had just began to descend the horizon. I was inside the electric train which is between Chennai Beach and Tambaram. I ran my hands through the pockets to acknowledge my belonging’s presence. I got trapped between the hustle and bustle of the crowd among which one of them strived hard to get out of the train at their appropriate stations while the others offended those detraining crowd and pushed back inside in the act of boarding it. The train got crowded for the next two stations and then there was enough room for me to place my legs.

I went in search of a place where a small hint of air could dry off my sweat. I walked to the other door of the compartment since I noticed that just one boy and two ladies were near it and the remaining standings were at the other side. I strode towards the door as a hint of air brushed my face. I was hanging out the door as the next station arrived.

As I was busy searching for the name board of the station, I didn’t notice two transgender entering my compartment. The two ladies were pushing each other as they put up a disgusted look on their faces and left the train quick. Two men boarded the train and stood near me. The train started and a few boys came running and jumped in. They were enjoying their private joke while they were huffing and puffing for breath. Since, I had my earphones plugged to my ears I didn’t hear the transgenders talking to the people in their own slang with hands clapping every time they reach a person. Some sighed and focused their vision away, while the others shrugged their shoulders and were asking them to leave in an angry tone. My senses worked again and kept my eyes away from the chaos. Sweat glands began to pump up sweats more vigorously sensing fear in me. I got scared of them getting near me.

What others might think if they come near me? They should not come anywhere around me! The crowd will laugh at me. Noo! They should not come. These thoughts kept repeating in my head. As I tried to take a step to turn around and check their presence, I sensed someone placing their hand in my waist.

It’s them. “Hey boy, give me 10 rupees now” that transgender told me. I swallowed hard and told the transgender to go away. But she kept looking at me with her hands forward ready to get the money. Out of fear I closed my eyes and looked away.

Then when I opened my eyes I saw a small boy among the three smiling at me innocently. I got relieved after the transgenders went to the door while I moved back in. My body’s sweat glands became calm now. The two men looked to the other side of the door pretending to be unaware of the transgenders’ presence.

But something strange got my eyes attention. The three little boys were talking to them without having a hint of fear or dismay in their eyes except pure innocence.

I have never seen anyone talking to them. But that innocent souls were having a conversation accompanied with laughter. Only one thought enlightened my heart at the amazing sight.

The transgenders were having a heart filled smile put up on their face. They embraced the little boys with soft pinch on their cheeks. A small drop of tear might truly emerge from the transgenders’ eyes as no one ‘grown up’ would go near them except their pure little souls.

I felt ashamed on that sight. Me, the two men and the other crowd who were pretending to be physically absent from the train, should award the innocent souls the title “CARRIERS OF ETERNAL HUMANITY”. Guilt and grief dominated my hearts till the journey continued.

Those children taught me a lot about life’s real meaning that wonderful day. “Jai Ho” or “Jai Hind” doesn’t reverberate in our minds. Only the fear of criticism dominates the most. We say our pledge on every Independence Day but we forget to remind them when the time comes. The children who might not even be knowing about the pledge were exhibiting the act of a true human every single moment in their life. Children’s heart will always be filled with only one thing: “Straightforwardness”. As a grownup, we consider ourselves as the ones who are respected with pride and glory. That’s not true. We have to bear their marks on our soul. Life is not complete without learning from a mistake. I learned a small yet big mistake from an Extraordinary Guru: pure hearted innocent soul - children. Teach them how to be a good citizen, in turn they will teach you how to be a Glorious yet humble Human.