It is like there was a train once, standing right before our eyes -- physically, really there -- but something happened. We cannot pinpoint a reason why it happened because sometimes it takes ages to unearth exactly what happened. And, the next moment we know, the train is no more there.

Sometimes life seems at a crossroads. Nothing appears to make much or any sense. Nothing appears to work out. Friendships fall apart. Things cease to work out well. And, amidst all this, one wonders where exactly is that thing which is hailed as ‘hope’ or even ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’ Cynics’ critique of life starts to make sense now.

But we know that the train was there moments ago, right before our eyes -- perfect, physical, steaming and bursting to go, but not anymore! At the moment, there is just a mere phantom of it, a hologram left behind. In such a moment, let one thing be known: If the train is no more there, then our time has come to fly!

The train is just a metaphor that I have used for those things that, sometimes, appear as permanent in our lives. It could be anything, from the strongest of bonds to the highest order of social life. I consider the train to be a symbol for all. It could be inferred to mean anything. The mirage of the train is just a way of saying that often what appears eternal is actually quite transitory.

The idea is that sometimes life uses the amazing sieving action to remove sadness out of our lives or systems. At first, things bog us down, shake us to the core. We cry and whine upon seeing the remnants but only time (the cruel and kind time!) can tell, in all actuality, whether it was all for the better.

It is hope that shouts at the end of such tunnels in which the train mirage prevails. And, this hope demands us to have the courage to keep on moving till the end.

Whatever might meet us beyond that hope is worth the deal.

One thing is for sure, it would be far better, way healthier and better for our being than we would have ever imagined.

More than anything else, we would have earned it!