Travel Tale | Palanpur 'Express'

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..the rusted grill gate opened to a small balcony wrapped in a layer of dust pilling up for years. As we walked further in, I entered a dark passage with rooms on either side, peeped into one of them and stared at it with a stunned silence. It had everything capable of throwing me into downright depression. Its almost broken windows failed to allow the required sunlight for human existence.. but didn’t allow one to miss those dust particles flying in the air.. the damp through the mezzanine floor was prominent.. shelves covered with wooden doors didn’t promise much either. A single mattress, uncovered, stained and grayed with dirt was folded and left unattended at one corner. The walls though brightly coloured in green wasn’t the right shade and wasn’t giving any comfort at all. “Is this where I have to stay for the next one week.. or more?” I thought. My heart skipped a beat.

I was working with the Mumbai based fashion designer, Krishna Mehta. Back in 2007 it was my first job after passing out of NIFT. Have been aware of this small village called Palanpur in Gujarat since then. Krishna had one of her block printing units there. Palak as it was called was indeed special. The workers here couldn’t hear or speak, yet they were gifted to be warm. A week amidst nature with its serenity & adventure.. The idea of visiting the place at the first go was appealing!

As we wrapped up work in the unit, I started dreading going back to the place where we were supposed to spend the night.. nights till work gets over. I felt betrayed. Was told, arrangements of staying were at the guesthouse, not at some god-forsaken house in the middle of tall trees, unused for 20 years and also with a possibility of being haunted. Krishna left for Mumbai that afternoon. Firoz and I stayed outdoors till sunset, planning our days ahead. I mostly complaining and he being all patient and sympathetic.. probably thinking “these kids!” aside. Nightfall in Palanpur was unforgettable. Had remotely imagined what darkness could mean.. and that even insect sounds could be deafening in that silence. In full rampage, the house was clean for the night.. Firoz had taken charge of not letting me break down in everyway possible.

Yet, had troubles falling asleep that night.. was already planning escape .

Dawn broke pretty soon. I had decided, I was going back. Bought tickets for the day after. The early morning train was from Amhedabad. Had no idea how I was going to reach there but I knew I had to go back. Nothing seemed right at that moment.. or I just wasn’t seeing it. Felt suffocated in that loneliness. As the day passed.. things started getting sorted.. managed a bus ticket to Amhedabad.. and with Firoz’s help even found a place to stay there for a night. Himanshu!! It totally skipped my mind.. he was staying in Amhedabad. I don’t know where I got the motivation or was it out of that utter desperation to escape.. that I finished most of the work in the unit and by evening.. all my bags packed!!

The bus journey was tough. I was sad. Never thought I would ‘run away’ from the responsibilities given to me.. and if its your first job, the guilt is even worse.

Thankfully Firoz accompanied me, so we had other things to talk about. As we reached Amhedabad at night.. we took a little tour of the place. Our first stop & the only one being NID, before Himanshu’s house. Chicken stew awaited us for dinner.. aunty was informed that I wasn’t keeping well and hence I had to leave. Ofcors, they knew the story later.J Did I forget to mention, this family was Bengali.. and apart from the good food, a lot of the other ‘bong’ factors completely set my mind for the next day. Firoz and Himanshu came to see me off at the station in the morning. Just as the train started moving.. I knew no words to thank the two of them.. must’ve done something right to get that kind of a support.

..spend the journey phrasing my resignation.

Mumbai never seemed more welcoming. I showed up in office after 2 days.. and thank god I didn’t have a missing diary at police stations by then. As I now look back at this, I don’t regret coming back since I have understood, apart from taking up and accomplishing all the responsibilities given to you in your job, its also important to put your foot down when required.

I didn’t have to resign, probably everyone understood the same.