The Last train to Earth

 
   The story is set in a suburb of London where an Indian Brahmin business family resides from the past 45 years.

Over the years , Sharma family has been able to achieve and maintain a high status in their business circle. Mr. and Mrs. Vishnu Sharma came to London and burnt their midnight oils to reach this stature but they always had one repent in their heart that had to sacrifice their valuable time that was the need for an hour for their two children i.e. Prikshit and Sagrika. Their struggle made the children completely disconnected from the Indian traditions and religious values and took them more close to western culture and values. Mr. Vishnu had always realized what he had lost in his struggle. Though he had to move from his parents home due to growth and future prospects, as he always felt disconnected from the western culture and made every endeavor to maintain the religious and spiritual soul of Indian tradition within the family. May be efforts weren’t enough that led to his son(Prikshit) separate himself from his father life and settle in new house, though the business was the same. Some good deeds of Mr. Vishnu were resulted in form of his grandson, Pralad whom he was close too and wanted to vest all the time that he could not give to his own son).         

The curtain opens with Pralad sitting besides the grandfather who is inhaling his last breathes.

Mr. Vishnu was a hero in front of his grandson eye as he was witnessing the materialistic quest of his father. Mr. Vishnu had often discussed his life with grandson how he had achieved this status and position but always hinted towards the loneliness and tasks he could not accomplish. He had often use to tease Pralad saying that he has a secret which will be disclosed when his death is near.

While sharing his last moments, Mr. Vishnu handed over the almirah keys to Pralad and asked him to get a secret diary that he use to write regularly. He mentioned that diary is the key towards the accomplishment of his last wish and he should read that diary after completing his ceremonies.     Prikshit was so busy managing the business empire that he could not reach on his father cremation ceremonies on time. His non responsible approach towards his own parents made his son impulsive and he decided to go punish his own father.

After completing all the ceremonies, he decided to stay back with his grandmother without informing his parents. That night, he saw his grandmother crying the whole night and went to console her. He calmly sat beside her and holding her hand said,” Grandma, I am with you. Don’t you worry. I will always take care of you.”Grandmother replied with sobbing,” I know, he did certain mistakes in life but this was not what he deserved. He had given identity and name to your father and this family. He did everything he thought was best for his family.”Caressing his grandma, Pralad made her sleep. He slowly got up and picked up the secret diary his grandfather had handed over to him and went in separate room to read it.
 

 As he opened the diary, the first page titled ‘ Wishes & Expectations that were never met.’  

  I, Vishnu Sharma hailed from a brahmin family of India and had always wished to take my last breathes in my own country among my own people and in the city called ‘Earth’. My father was a religious man that’s why he named me ‘Vishnu’ so that by calling my name, he would be chanting the God’s name continuously. My father being a learned man of Vedic scriptures, mythologies and many religious studies often described me about a city called ‘Earth’. He always referred that city as miraculous city as people were always happy and healthy there. He always wished me to visit that city once but I had other dreams in life. I was religious and spiritual at heart but looking at my father’s hardships, I wanted to be wealthy and have a easy going life and my destiny took me to London. With the passage of time, I realized that money is not everything to lead a contended life. I made various endeavours to visit the so called city ‘Earth’ but situations didn’t allowed me to do so. While I am approaching the final stage in my life, I wish my son, Prikshit and his son, Pralad to visit that city together. Here is description of the city ‘Earth’ that my father gave to me.   ‘Earth’,the miraculous city of India is known as the happiest and the healthiest city. A city of saints,educationists, farmers, warriors, industrialist , etc. who run the city by mere ‘Karma Yoga’, where no one has to keep a check on other duty. Religious and spiritual education is the foundation of that city. The soul of that city are it’s religious, spiritual and traditional beliefs that people are following since ages.    Since years, there has been no news about fights, riots, allegations, ill treatment, thefts, etc. Where other states are growing towards westernization and materialism, it is the city with contentment. Peace,cleanliness, happiness, health,togetherness, respect, help, patience are virtues that every individual carries in that city. Even visitors of that city have to follow the traditions of that city. Such is an aura of that city that every soul gets purified by mere energy of that city that teaches you the real sense of Karmic yoga.  I wish , I had visited that city along with my father but the struggle to meet both ends at new place never gave me a chance. I sacrificed my children growing years and inculcating the religious and spiritual values in them. I lost my family time to provide them the materialistic essentials for successful living rather than peaceful and happy living. Thus as a last wish, I want my son Prishkit and Pralad to visit that city for me. Life is much more than increasing bank accounts, because by the time you will be at stage to enjoy that money nothing will be with you.    

Pralad closed the diary with tear in his eyes. He knew what he had to do but it wasn’t that easy due to his relationship with his father. To approach and convince him to go to India was like hard task but still for the sake of his grandfather, he thought of giving it a try. Next morning, he seek an appointment to meet his father but again was left disheartened. Out of his aggression and impulsiveness, he entered harshly in his father’s board meeting and handed over that diary to his father by stating that soon you will be at a stage where you will need it.  After receiving a disappointment from his father, Pralad booked a flight for Delhi and left for India in the evening. He reached Delhi and booked a hotel near the airport. After checking in , he asked his travel agent to get a ticket booked for the city called ‘Earth’ but he reverted saying that due to winter’s fog all the transport  facilities were delayed but will certainly make an effort to arrange for railway ticket. It took 2 to 3 days to arrange for the railway ticket for the last train of the winter session to ‘Earth’ city. After getting the ticket booked, his mind already started generating positive vibes and the thought of being in that city gave him goosebumps. Next morning as he boarded the last train towards city ‘Earth’, he saw his father sitting next to his seat with tear in his eyes with that diary held close to his chest. He hugged his son Pralad and without any further words, they started their journey in last train to the miraculous city called ‘Earth’.