ATUKHAN

“The Train I Never Caught: A Journey That Changed Everything”

I was supposed to be on that train. The 7:45 from Jaipur to Delhi—the last one that evening. I had planned everything with military precision: check out early from my hostel, eat something light, and reach the station at least an hour before departure. After nearly three months of backpacking across North India, I had promised my parents that I’d return, apply for jobs, and “get serious about life.” That train symbolized more than just a ride home. It was my return to reality.