This was no better than a curse, I thought to myself.

My train was delayed by an hour and here

I was sitting alone in an empty platform. Yeah, I was alone and the platform empty. If I would
have left the office at usual time, I would have been under a quilt in my room now! I usually take
a cab till my residence and this is the first time I was having to count upon the unreliable railway
service since I have moved to this new place.
It was an odd time, already 8:30 pm. Moreover, the chilly weather was only getting worse with
time. Finding no work to do, I started rubbing my palms. I badly needed somebody to accompany
me. Still forty minutes to go before my train would arrive! The dead platform was eerie enough
to remind me all the horror movies I had watched from my childhood.
I started feeling sleepy sitting alone with no work to do. I had almost dozed off to sleep when a
sweet but shrill voice startled me, May I sit here?. At last my wish was granted, Ive got
someone to talk to, I thought, as I shifted my bag on my lap and answered excitedly, Yeah sure.
Near about two minutes later, So, whats your name she enquired me in a soft tone. I replied
and asked her the same question, to which she answered, It used to be Rachael. I asked
further, Residence? She answered, It used to be 35, Hatar Road, East Block-29, her voice
now mixed with regret and coldness and her lips throwing a pale smile. I enquired with utter
surprise, What do you mean by used to Madam?
She remained silent and all I could guess was that she was a case of mental illness or that she
was on drugs. I didnt speak to her anymore and the next fifteen minutes were spent like sitting
beside a dead person. Finally, it was time for my train.
Once inside the warmth of the train compartment, I heaved a sigh of relief. The train would
leave within a minute or two. You were alone in the station Sir? asked a fellow passenger. No
she was there I answered pointing my finger to Rachael, who was still sitting. Theres nobody
sir, whom are you talking about? asked the man. Before I could say something he questioned,
By any means, is her name, Rachael? I answered curiously, Yes. You know her? You are the
fifth person to see her, Sir. She died three years ago in a train accident at this platform, he said
in a heavy tone that could bring goosebumps on your body. I stood absolutely dumbstruck,
recollecting my conversation with Rachael. Even on a chilling cold winter night, I could feel
myself getting wet with perspiration. I could still see her sitting at the platform, her dead eyes
staring at me and her pale lips smiling a dead smile.