Section -I
The story starts with Arun of 12, waiting for his train scheduled at midnight at Ambala station on platform no. 8. He was travelling alone, as his parents considered him to be big enough to travel alone.
He was early at the station feeling bored, suddenly, a soft voice asked him if he is alone. He saw a woman with pale face and dark kind eyes, simply dressed in a white sari. He observed that she was poor, but had a dignity in her appearance.
She asked whether his parents have come to see him off. He replied he can travel alone. The woman agreed which made Arun instantly like her. She was simple and her deep voice and serenity was liked by Arun.
The woman asked about his name and his train. Then she took him to the canteen. She ordered tea, samosas and jalebies for him. Arun could not refuse. She questioned many things, but listened to him intently. All her kind and generous behavior made Arun forget that she was a stranger.
Sathish, one of Aruns school fellows, came to the station with his mother.
Section – II
They introduced each other. The woman addressed herself as Aruns mother without any hesitation. Sathish’s mother warned Arun to be careful of strangers. But Arun replied that he liked strangers which staggered her.
When the train came, they boarded. The woman took Aruns hand in her hands and smiled gently in an understanding way. Arun bade goodbye calling her “mother”. He gazed at the woman, till she got lost in the crowd.