A group of women hurried toward the railway station, their footsteps echoing against the platform as the announcement rang out-The train is now departing from NSRM City. Panic flickered in their eyes as they rushed forward, weaving through the crowd.
Among them, Anaya effortlessly broke into song, her voice weaving through the air like a soft melody blending with the station's bustling sounds.
One of her friends groaned in frustration. "Anaya, seriously? Now? We're barely making it onto the train!"
Ignoring the complaint, Anaya smiled and continued singing, her voice unfazed by the urgency. With a swift movement, she stepped onto the train just in time, her song still lingering in the air as the doors shut behind her.
After finally settling into her seat, Anaya leaned against the window, wiping the sweat off her forehead as the train started moving. She let out a small sigh of relief, enjoying the slight breeze from the window.
A few moments later, the ticket collector arrived, asking for tickets. As everyone in the group reached for theirs, they suddenly noticed Anaya whistling playfully. She grinned mischievously before saying, "Uh... Pooja, I think I lost my ticket."
A chorus of frustrated groans erupted. "Really, Anaya?!" they shouted in unison, glaring at her.
With a laugh, Anaya pulled out her ticket at the last second, waving it in the air. "Relax, I got it!" she teased.
After handing over their tickets, the group decided to play a game of Truth or Dare to pass the time.
One of her friends smirked. "Anaya, it's your turn. Truth or dare?"
Anaya's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Dare."
Her friend grinned. "Then you have to sing a brand-new song we've never heard before!"
Without hesitation, Anaya stood up with a confident smile. "Alright, listen up! Today, you're all getting the first performance of my new song-'Waiting for Him.'"
As her voice filled the train, the atmosphere shifted. The rhythmic hum of the moving train blended seamlessly with her melody, capturing the attention of not just her friends but nearby passengers as well. When she finished, a round of applause erupted.
"Anaya, the top singer!" her friends cheered.
But then, amidst the celebration, their eyes drifted toward a man who had just rushed into their compartment, looking slightly breathless.
Anaya stood up, grabbed a water bottle, and walked toward him with a calm smile.
"Are you alright? Please, take a deep breath. Everything will be okay," she said gently, handing him the bottle.
Her voice carried a warmth that eased the tension in the air.
"My name is Anaya. May I know yours?"
Ayaan, who had been lost in his thoughts, froze the moment her voice reached his ears. Something about it struck deep within him, a strange yet undeniable feeling stirring in his heart.
As the train continued its steady journey forward, Ayaan found himself unable to look away from Anaya. There was something about her presence-an effortless warmth, a quiet confidence-that made him feel strangely at ease.
The sound of her voice still lingered in the air, as if the melody of her song hadn't quite faded yet. She stood there, waiting for his response, her eyes holding a curious glint. It wasn't just politeness; she truly wanted to know his name.
"Ayaan." He finally spoke, the name rolling off his tongue slower than usual. "Nice to meet you, Anaya."
For a brief moment, neither of them moved. The train rocked gently, the distant chatter of passengers fading into the background. The soft golden light from the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a faint glow on her face.
Anaya smiled again-this time, a little softer. "Nice to meet you too, Ayaan."
The voices of her friends murmuring in excitement barely reached his ears. All he could focus on was the strange, unexpected feeling that had settled deep in his chest.
There were millions of people in the world. Trains carried thousands of passengers every day. And yet, at this exact moment, in this exact place, he had met her.
The train moved forward, but for Ayaan, time seemed to pause.
This was how it all began.