The voice on the scratchy microphone announces a weather-related train delay. Rubbing cold hands, Jon makes his way to the station’s cafeteria. A petite young woman with high cheekbones sits at a table by the window; her hodgepodge bags lie strewn.
“May I?” he points to the vacant chair.
When she nods, he settles down, orders Darjeeling tea —fitting for Northeastern India. Despite grimy windows, the snow-capped Himalayas are breathtaking, clouds bobbing around majestic peaks.
“I’m Jon.” He rests his elbows on the table. “You’re from here?”
She resettles the woolen shawl over her shoulders. “I’m… Saya.” She gestures toward the mountains, says, “I’m from there,” in accented English.
“Lucky.”
She shrugs.
Tea arrives; he removes the cozy, pours himself a cup.
“I suppose your train’s delayed too? On your way home?” he asks.
“No.”
The tea is delicate, fragrant. She’s prickly.
“I’m heading further north.” He smiles, attempts humor. “Perhaps I’ll find Shangri-La.”
“Good luck.” She frowns. “You won’t have cell phones there, or internet. No movies or restaurants.”
She doesn’t like her mountain home?
He watches as she gathers her belongings and leaves the cafeteria.
***
Later, he spots her huddled against cutting wind, peering at the tracks on the opposite side of the platform. No trains on either side. More raspy words emerge from the microphone.
He pulls the hoodie over his head, approaches her.
“Hello, again!” He intends to inquire about his train.
She doesn’t turn around to look at him.
The wind swirls her words, attempts to take them. He thinks she says, “Go away!”
“Where?” He tries humor again.
“What?”
“I want to find out about this train delay. Please understand I’ve come a long way to see the Himalayas.”
“What you imagine isn’t… I can tell you my mountain village is closed, small, suffocating. The sameness…” She’s bitter; her nostrils quiver.
“I shouldn’t look for lost paradise?” He hopes his smile is disarming.
“You and your Shangri-La!” She turns to look at him, her cheeks red.
“What’s wrong with wanting to find it?” He pulls on gloves, drops the smile.
She glares at him. “It’s not real!”
Another incoherent announcement comes through the system. He tilts his head and closes his eyes to make sense of it.
When he opens them, she’s slipped away in her noiseless manner.
***
He walks into the station manager’s office. They tell him all trains, up and down, are canceled until tomorrow. He must find lodgings for the night.
A commotion as an older, heavy-set man bursts in. “Saya!” he yells, the single word wrapped in menace. Jon doesn’t understand the rest.
While officials attempt to calm the man, Jon’s eyes scour the platforms.
The sun weakens and heavy clouds gather. Soon, the mountains are obscured. Along with Saya, Shangri-La is lost in the horizon.
Sudha Balagopal’s recent short fiction has appeared in Foliate Oak, Peacock Journal, Right Hand Pointing and Jellyfish Review among other journals. She is the author of a novel, A New Dawn, and two short story collections, There are Seven Notes and Missing and Other Stories. Read more at www.sudhabalagopal.com.
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