As I was waiting for the train on platform no 6 [which is nowhere close to Platform 9 3/4 of Harry Potter fame or as magical :( ] of Thane station, waiting for the fast local, I hear a lady behind me advising her friend not to stand behind me as she would surely get stuck. I can see her gesticulating and pointing out to me from the corner of my eye. For a moment I am stung by the disgust in her voice and wonder what must have made that lady think so about me! I am someone who is not inconsiderate. I, in fact care a little too much about people around me or so my friends tell me. I always consciously try and not inconvenience anyone around and try to make lives of people easier. So her comment came as a surprise.
Mumbai locals during peak hours can be very taxing. It turns into a cauldron of so many human emotions that it ends up bringing out either the best or the worst in people. This lady who I do not remember ever having seen in my life (but I cannot be sure as I have realised I have a problem remembering faces), was being so judgemental about me. And not only was she being judgemental, she was loudly proclaiming something in a language she thought I do not understand or she probably didn't care if I did; to anyone who cared to listen on that crowded platform!
I wanted to turn back and ask her if she is hinting at my size or is it because I was carrying two bags one on each shoulder, which made her think I may block her way or does she have any prior experience of not being able to get into the train because of me?! But I caught myself in time. Told myself it is not something worth getting disturbed over. I am in control of my emotions and my reaction to her statement. I chose to ignore. I do not know if the lady got into the train or not; or if I blocked anyone's path or anyone mine. Cause to get in, everyone is in absolute concentration the moment the train pulls in. It is more a matter of skill and experience that gets people inside or outside a Mumbai local as per their wish during peak hours. A lot of times one is pushed out or into the train against one's wish too, if you are not careful ;)
I know it may seem like such an unimportant little thing that happened and keeps happening to innumerable people daily in locals but I think it was a tiny zen moment for me where I decided to control my thoughts rather than letting them control me. It somehow immediately calmed me and abstained me from reacting to the environment or even getting affected by it. Me so happy about it :D