I had just boarded the almost empty 10-pm train from my
office area, when I saw her – a very old and unkempt lady sprawled over the
pathway – exposing most of her body, and too tired to cover herself up. The
train stopped, and she made half an attempt to pull her saree down and go back
to sleep. I had forgotten about her by the time I took my seat, staring blankly
at the passing stations and the dwindling crowds.
About a couple of stops before the last one, she got up and
hobbled to the seat next to mine. Everyone immediately got up and left. I
remained, a tad uncomfortable but doggedly ignoring her. She was leaning
towards me, eyes closed, which was when I saw that most of the other passengers
were giggling and motioning me to sit next to them. I did, and that’s when I
noticed that she had urinated all over the pathway.
To my utter embarrassment, I started crying. This was one of
the few moments where I had no idea what to do – go to her and give her some
money, ask her what she needed and where she had to go, call up some
authorities or just let her be.
What would you have done?
