Abscond, v.: To be unexpectedly called away to the bedside of a dying relative and miss the return train.

A new trend has emerged in the rail industry, with commuters citing unforeseen family emergencies as the primary reason for missing their return trains. The phenomenon, which has been dubbed "absconding," has left many passengers frustrated and caught off guard, as they are forced to spend the night in unfamiliar cities or wait for hours for the next available train. According to rail officials, the majority of absconding cases are due to unexpected calls from family members or friends informing passengers of a dying relative, thereby requiring their immediate presence. While sympathizing with the situations, the rail industry is urging passengers to be more proactive in planning for such eventualities, suggesting that they check in with loved ones before boarding their trains and make arrangements for alternative travel plans if necessary. Despite these efforts, the number of absconding cases continues to rise, with some passengers claiming that the experience has become all too common. "I was on my way home from a business trip when I received a call from my sister telling me that my mother had fallen ill," said one commuter, who wished to remain anonymous. "I had to abscond and miss my train, which meant I had to spend the night in a hotel and catch a later train the next day." The commuter added that while he understood the situation, the experience was stressful and expensive, highlighting the need for the rail industry to provide more flexible and accommodating options for passengers in such situations. Rail officials are now exploring ways to mitigate the impact of absconding, including the introduction of more frequent trains and improved communication systems to keep passengers informed of any changes or disruptions to their journeys. In the meantime, commuters are advised to be prepared for the unexpected and to have a plan in place in case they need to abscond at short notice.