Night Train

My friend told the railway attendant to take good care of me, an Indian woman traveling alone - overnight! The attendant took me out of the crowded carriage to a spacious, higher class one, made my bed and served dinner well past service time.

I shook his hands gratefully for the little comforts. He didn’t let go until I shook it free. A little later he was back, shaking me awake. “Everything OK, madam?” Yes, yes, but he didn’t let go, rubbing his hands all over my arms and shoulders. “Such a nice, nice girl.“ He returned twice, stopping only when I woke the other passengers by shouting at him. I woke periodically through the night unsure if he was standing in the shadows.