Companion on the Train

By Abhi Sharma

Vatsal was getting late. He had recently transferred to a new town, and for the first time, he didn’t know the place he was going to. Usually, he was familiar with the routes. Today was different.

He packed his bag and booked a cab. Vatsal was a clerk in a regional bank. The traffic only added to his delay. By the time he reached the station, the train had already left.

He spoke to the station master, who confirmed it. The train to Varnika had gone.

The station master asked, “Where do you need to go?”

Vatsal replied, “To Varnika.”

The station master advised, “There’s no direct train to Varnika from this station now. You can take a train to Gulban village and change there. If it’s urgent, that’s your best option.”

“When will the train to Gulban arrive?” Vatsal asked.
“9:27 PM,” he replied.

Vatsal checked the time. It was 8:54 PM. He booked his ticket, bought a water bottle and some snacks. The station was nearly empty.

The train arrived. He boarded it, and after a while, reached Gulban station.

It was a small, local station, almost deserted. The winter fog made the place feel even more isolated. He booked his next ticket to Varnika and wandered a bit to pass time.

At a distance, he noticed an old man sitting alone on a bench. As Vatsal approached, the fog began to clear. The old man looked up.

“Where are you headed?” the old man asked.
“To Varnika,” Vatsal replied.
“Train comes at 11:07 PM, right?” the old man asked.

Vatsal was surprised. The man had the ticket in his hand, yet didn’t know the timing. He assumed it was due to the man’s old age and gave him the timing. Then he walked away again.

Later, when the train arrived, Vatsal returned to the platform. The bench was empty.

He thought, The old man must have boarded early.

Vatsal entered his compartment. It was empty. He took his seat. At 10:58 PM, he glanced at his phone, checked emails, and scrolled through Instagram.

Suddenly, he sensed someone sitting in the row behind his seat.

He slowly turned his eyes—and froze.

It was the same old man.

But Vatsal was sure no one had boarded the train at Gulban after him.

He wasn’t sure, but forced himself to believe this made-up explanation.

He continued using his phone. Fifteen minutes later, he locked it—and in the black screen reflection, the seat behind him was empty.

Startled, he turned around.

There was no one.

Sweat dripped down his face. His heart pounded. His thoughts screamed What’s happening? How? He had no answer. He was scared. Negative thoughts took over. But he could do only one thing—wait for the station.

After 1.5 hours, the train arrived at Varnika.

He picked up his bag carefully, avoiding eye contact with the empty seat. As he stepped onto the platform, he noticed…

The old man was sitting on a bench again.

Terrified, Vatsal turned and ran. After a few yards, he stopped and looked back.

The bench was empty.

He approached the spot. No one was there.

Except… a piece of paper.

He picked it up—it was a ticket. It was old and torn. But clearly visible was the train time: 11:07 PM — the exact time the old man had said.

He dropped to his knees, shivering.

Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

For a split second, his heart stopped.

He looked up—there stood a middle-aged man.

“What are you doing here, sitting like that?” the man asked.

Vatsal, shaken, said, “Nothing.”

The man glanced at the old ticket in his hand. “Something happen to you?”

Vatsal wasn’t sure if he should share. But he did.

When he described the old man, the stranger nodded slowly.

“You saw him?” the man asked. “The old man?”

“Yes. Who is he?” Vatsal asked.

“Many have seen him… especially on this train. He used to take this exact route. Until he died in a train accident.”

“Did he ever harm anyone?” Vatsal asked hesitantly.

The man looked down and said, “No one—except one.”

“Who?” Vatsal whispered.

The man looked at Vatsal.

“Me,” he replied.

© 2025 Abhi Sharma. All rights reserved.