At 2.15, the day tilted https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train . Something shifted – subtle, almost forgettable, – but enough to mark a line between before and after. One ride westbound, no promises, no destination loud enough to name. Just motion, and whatever it carried with it. So, welcome to “2.15 Departures : One Ride Westbound”.

I left behind, more than a station. The train moved, and so did something else – just enough to notice, not enough to name. Everything stayed still, except me. One train, one time, and a westbound slip into the thick heat of afternoon.

To know the deets of us traveling in vande Bharat express for the first time, click on Vande Bharat Express : A First Time Traveler – Wander, Feast & Thrive

One Ride Adventure : 2.15 Departures

It was just yesterday. I woke up feeling oddly refreshed, but also drained—perhaps from the sticky weather, perhaps from the slow churn of chores. Hard to tell. Morning swept through quickly: I helped my cutie pie niece get ready and off to school, tackled the usual household tasks, and then faced the slow, deliberate act of packing. A small mountain in itself.

Then, power cut. Just as we’d resigned to a long wait, it surprised us by returning early. Still, we hung on till 11:30, unsure. I got dressed, had lunch, and booked the cab. My husband accompanied me to the station, waiting beside me until I boarded. We exchanged an emotional goodbye—the kind you don’t dramatize, but feel deep anyway, knowing the distance wasn’t far, but the weeks ahead were full.

I secretly hoped my seat lay would remain empty—a little wish for space. But that didn’t last. Two fellow passengers eventually arrived and took their spots, and the ride settled into its rhythm. Though it was just a 4.5-hour journey, it felt longer, stretched out by stillness.

The train pulled out at exactly 2:15 PM, smooth and on time. No stops until Salem. I flipped through the onboard magazine to fill the silence, thinking I might rest, but rest didn’t come. The train was quiet—surprisingly so. Most travelers were either napping or scrolling, only occasionally interrupted by a ringtone or a soft conversation.

My pre-booked evening snack arrived. I skipped the aloo bonda but tried the little millet chikki—it was fine. The rest came home with me in the snack box. After Salem, there were a couple of abrupt halts, signal delays stretching ten minutes here, a few more there.

Finally, we rolled into Erode, just minutes past the scheduled time. My father and nephew were waiting. That familiar sight at the platform felt like something to anchor to. We took a cab and headed home.

Was it worth it? Honestly, debatable. But if reaching early is the goal, Vande Bharat does the trick.