12.05 am Dombivili slow
12.05 am Dombivili slow
Shashank Purandare
Opposite the Sachivalaya Gymkhana stands the Working Women’s Hostel building. Next to it is a three-story building named ‘Jalvayu,’ which houses the office of Joshi Associates. Adv. Anil Joshi is a renowned criminal lawyer in South Mumbai. It was past 11:45 PM when Anil and Mr. Vadhwani, clutching their briefcases, stepped out of the building after locking the office and switching off the lights. The Uber booked by Mr. Vadhwani arrived at the door within two minutes. Another taxi followed right behind it. From the dining hall of the Working Women’s Hostel, a young woman emerged and sat in that taxi. Since it was late at night, both taxis reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) within ten minutes.
When Anil and Mr. Vadhwani reached Platform No. 3, the 12:05 AM Dombivli Slow local was waiting. The saying "Mumbai never sleeps" is instantly proven by the bustling crowds seen at the station even after midnight. Although it was crowded, the First Class compartment had only a few passengers. Anil and Mr. Vadhwani found window seats facing each other. Just a minute before the train was to depart, a young woman entered and sat next to Anil. He immediately realized it was the same girl who had boarded the taxi behind them outside the hostel.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" she asked Anil in an incredibly sweet voice.
"Oh sure, no problem!" Anil replied. It would have been a wonder if the thought hadn’t crossed his mind: What could be luckier than a beautiful young woman choosing to sit next to you late at night?
Anil was forty-five years old. In the last ten years, he had made a significant name for himself as a criminal lawyer. Nearly six feet tall and fair-complexioned, Anil was still a bachelor. He possessed a personality that could easily attract any woman.
"Actually, we had an office get-together today, but the party went on a bit too long," she explained, brushing back the hair falling over her forehead. "I work at the Sachivalaya and live near Thane station. It never gets this late. Usually, I sit in the Ladies' First Class, but I feel scared sitting alone so late at night. You never know what might happen these days. That’s why I requested you."
"No problem at all. Don’t worry. We are also going to Thane," Anil answered.
"By the way, I am Anil Joshi."
"And I am Rashmi. Very nice to meet you," Rashmi said.
While Rashmi wasn't stunningly beautiful, she was certainly attractive. About five and a half feet tall, wheat-complexioned with a slender build, she had a graceful style of carrying herself. Her shoulder-length bobbed hair complemented her delicate face. Aside from a light shade of lipstick, she wore no makeup. She was wearing a blue silk saree, likely for the party. Overall, she was a "fine specimen."
Anil introduced Mr. Vadhwani to Rashmi as his "client." However, Vadhwani showed little interest in Rashmi; he remained occupied staring out the window. At Byculla station, more passengers entered. One man sat next to Rashmi, forcing her to slide even closer to Anil. Due to the swaying of the train, Rashmi’s shoulder occasionally brushed against Anil’s. He pretended to ignore it, looking out the window.
"What do you do?" Rashmi’s question snapped Anil back to reality.
"I am a criminal lawyer," Anil said.
"Oh wow, how exciting!" Rashmi exclaimed. "I’ve only seen criminals in movies. Are they the same in real life?"
"Real life isn't like the movies. It’s a regular routine, but it requires a lot of hard work," Anil replied.
"You must make a lot of money, right? I mean, sorry, I didn't mean it like that, but I'm very curious about this profession," Rashmi said.
"Not a huge amount, but I make a decent living."
"But why do you travel by train? You must have your own car?"
"I do, but I have some work today, so I didn't bring the car."
"Work? It's one o'clock in the morning and you still have work?"
"What can I do? This profession is such that sometimes you have to turn night into day."
"But is it like this every day? Doesn't your wife get angry with you?"
"Where is the wife to get angry? I’m not married yet," Anil said.
"Really? I thought you’d have two or three kids!" Rashmi exclaimed in surprise.
"Let’s not talk about me. Tell me about yourself," Anil changed the subject.
"What about me? A nine-to-five government job, husband, kids, in-laws, and so on. A boring, routine life," Rashmi sighed. "Parties like today are the only break I get."<
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Most passengers had gotten off at intermediate stations. Mr. Vadhwani was still looking out the window. On the back bench, two young men were talking in low voices. After passing Mulund, Mr. Vadhwani stood up. Saying he would catch some air, he went to stand by the door.
"Oh my, I didn't realize how time flew while talking to you," Rashmi said, coming back to her senses.
"Same here!" Anil replied, giving her his winning smile. Rashmi gave a sweet smile in return. As the train slowed down outside Thane station, Anil and Rashmi stood up.
"I felt safe because you were here. Otherwise, traveling this late is quite difficult. Let’s meet again sometime," Rashmi said as she moved toward the door.
When they reached the station, Rashmi got off, waved goodbye to Anil, and started walking ahead. The rhythmic 'click-clack' of her sandals reached Anil’s ears. He was snapped back to reality by Vadhwani’s call.
"Let’s wait here. Jadhav will come here," Vadhwani said. In the one hour spent with Rashmi, Anil had completely forgotten the task for which he had come here with Vadhwani. Most passengers from the train had left. Only one or two remained on the station, waiting for the next train. Judge Jadhav emerged from behind a pillar. Without saying a word, Vadhwani handed his briefcase to the Judge.
"CBI Inspector Ragini Desai! Hands up. You are under arrest!"
Rashmi was standing in front of them. The snub-nosed .22 revolver in her hand gleamed under the tube lights. Her hand, adorned with gold bangles, was perfectly steady.
"Don’t even think about running. There are three more people standing behind you, and they have revolvers too," Rashmi said. Her voice now had a sharp, authoritative edge. Anil looked back. He realized now that two of those three men had been sitting right behind them in the train.
"Anil Joshi, we have been trailing you for two months. Judge Jadhav had alerted us two months ago. Today, we’ve caught you red-handed. Move, the van is waiting outside. Handcuff these scoundrels!"
Note: This is an English translation of my Marathi story using Google Gemini AI tool.
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