Prologue
———
The train was crowded. V and M just managed to find seats in the unreserved compartment. They kept their backpacks on the upper berth, took off the shoes and pushed them under the seat, and settled down in the seats. They looked around and noticed that all the seats were taken.
"Hmm.. looks like no one missed the train today. Seems pretty crowded", said V.
"Yup. True. Guess the journey may not be very comfy. Anyway, just a matter of 4 hours rite. Should be fine"
"Right. BTW, just keep a close eye on the backpacks, Ok ? Dont want to lose them. 
.".
"Will do. Thats right "
4 hours passed. Another 5 mins, and they would reach their station.
V put on his shoes. M looked under the seat.Instead of his favourite pair of Nike, he found a pair of old tattered slippers……..
The Present
————-
V and M catch the train by the skin of their teeth. The train starts to move as soon as they get in. They put the backpacks on the upper birth and get comfortable in the seats.
V removes his shoes, and pushes it under the seat, and looks at M.
"Hmm.. the train is crowded. Better watch the backpacks . Are you not taking your shoes off ?"
"What ? Take them off ? And lose them again ? No way."
"Ok. 
".
An hour passes by. V stretches his legs and enjoys the scenery. M is getting a little uncomfortable with the shoes on. He decides to take them off.
"Not comfortable. I will take them off. But, me planning not to push them under this time. I will keep my feet on them and ensure no one flicks them this time 
", says M.
"Ok."
How long can someone sit in the same position ? Not long, right ? M feels a bit cramped in his legs, and says to V.
"Bah ! sitting like this is tough. I will just keep my eye on the shoes." And he does. He stares at the shoes, refusing to look anywhere else. Surprising that he did not get a crick in his neck.
Remaining journey is uneventful. Another 5 mins, and the train would reach the station. V puts on his shoes and tells M to do the same.
"Thank god ! This time no one flicked them. I have been staring at it for hours. After losing that pair, I feel very nervous every time I take my shoes off in a public place", says M.
"Yup. I can understand the feeling. Here comes our station, lets go", says V, takes his backpack, and walks out.
M stands up, looks for his backpack, and finds a tattered black bag instead……..
Update : Not a real life story…
