From Bombay to Agra

Author's name is Aradhya Sharma from Lahartara

Theme of the story

Girl education is important

Protecting girls from violence

Not to marry girls prematurely

Friendship

Caring

Helpfulness

Characters

Alankrita

Sunidhi

Setting

A train Rajdhani Express going from Bombay to Delhi

Story

A girl named Sunidhi is going back home to Delhi.
Meanwhile, she closed her eyes and was lost in her memory and was thinking about her childhood friend, Alankrita. She wanted to know why was she called away from school and why never came back.

She opened her eyes and went to washroom. After returning, she passed a woman reading a newspaper. Sunidhi's eyes caught the woman. She turned back to see the woman's face more clearly and went numb because she was her childhood friend ALANKRITA.

When they saw each other they were full of tears and just like any long - awaited reunion, they embraced each other. Their eyes were glinting with happiness which brought a smile to the faces of few passengers sitting near them.

Sunidhi laughed and guided Alankrita to her seat. Both of them could not stop smiling because they had met up after a decade.

'Are you settled in Bombay or somewhere else?' asked Sunidhi. Alankrita replied in negative and said that she was visiting her parents. She also asked her. Sunidhi replied that she was going back to Delhi.

Suddenly the question popped in Sunidhi's mind. She asked her. Alankrita looked away and stammered, "I was sent to a boarding school." But her hands shook and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Sunidhi knew she was lying.
She offered Alankrita a bottle of water.

While drinking water splashed on her long - sleeved blouse. She started rubbing it when suddenly Sunidhi's eyes widened to see welts on her arm. Alankrita pulled down her sleeve but she was still staring. Sunidhi asked about the bruises.

Alankrita told the truth "I was called away from school to marry. I obeyed and got married. The beating began soon after the marriage."
She broke down.
Sunidhi was shocked.
"It had been 10 years since my wedding and my husband beats me every night. I was burden on my parents as well as in - laws. My mother in - law said to wear this blouse to protect her family's reputation." said Alankrita.

Sunidhi was angry for her best friend. "Where are you going now?" Sunidhi asked. "Back to my in - laws' house in Agra."
"I can save Alankrita" Sunidhi whispered to herself.

The train reached Jaipur. The smell of Ghevar made them hungry so they ate. As they ate, the train started moving.
"Actually why don't you come with me to figure out things?" said Sunidhi.

She said that she can't. If she will do, her parents will endure the harsh words of others.
"And not suffocating?" countered Sunidhi. Alankrita was facing the truth.

Alankrita said that she had also tried escaping but she had nowhere to go.
Sunidhi said that Alankrita must not live with a monster as he don't respect her. But Alankrita was bound. Agra was near. Just a few more minutes and they would pull into the station.

Twenty seconds for Alankrita to decide. Either get off or stay on board.
Sunidhi looked Alankrita sitting in front of her. They were smiling. Alankrita was not going to leave and will start a new life in Delhi.