Forever Yours (Stay With Me Sequel)

Chapter 30

Faint mumbling noises reached my ears. I was so engrossed in my sleep that I couldn't understand what was happening around me. Somehow, managing to shake my body, I opened my eyes. Random images of people arranging their luggage, and talking among themselves came to my sight. Furrowing my eye-brows, I looked to my side to take a glimpse of Niall.

And my heartbeats stopped for awhile.

He was looking so opulent that I couldn't even blink let alone take my eyes off of him. He wore a black jacket, according to my suggestion. His hair looked rich blonde, and ever so messy. He sat resting his hands on his sides, eyes fixed on me.

"Ahhmm....what's going on?" I murmured.

"NJP is ten-minutes away, you might wanna wake up now," he replied, holding a teeny grin.

I widened my eyes, realizing that I have just ten-minutes to pee, wash my mouth, and get ready. I knew I must be looking horrible with unruly hairs, half-opened eyes, and crushed tee. I sat up erect on the berth, moving aside the cover that I brought from home.

"Shit, you should've told me before, Niall," I folded the cover, and put it inside the handbag.

"NJP is the last station, Lily. Chill," he retorted.

"Yeah, that's because you're completely ready, and I'm not," I fetched the toothpaste, and toothbrush from my handbag, and ran to the toilet.

After what seemed like five minutes later, I returned — my bladder feeling light without any pee, and mouth feeling fresh due to the rejuvenating aroma of the toothpaste. I found our entire luggage in place — everything zipped up, and settled. I looked at Niall, and caught him smiling at me.

"You can relax," he blinked his eyes slowly. I nodded, and put the toothpaste, and toothbrush inside the handbag.

I took a seat beside Niall on the right lower berth as the two men from last night made their way from the upper berths. They took a glimpse of us, not daring to make direct eye-contact. Not that we felt proud making them feel intimidated by us — they could've been good people, but for now not receiving their uncomfortable looks, and clingy questions were bliss.

"This is real India I have always read about," Niall remarked, looking outside the window.

I looked in the way he was looking, and found people moving around, wearing an urgent countenance — deeply engrossed in some thought. Women were seen walking with their children or riding a bicycle, going to schools or colleges. Fruit sellers lined up the streets, customers bickering with them while bargaining on the price of the fruits.

"Yeah," I nodded, agreeing with Niall.

The train halted still as the signboard read "New Jalpaiguri Junction." It made a loud noise as the wheels finally ceased rotating. Everyone commenced to pick up their luggage, and move towards the door of the train.

"Let everyone go then we'll get down. There is no need to rush," Niall advised.

"Right, okay," I nodded, browsing my eyes over people as they passed before me.

After awhile when the train looked almost empty, I wore the laptop bag, and grabbed my handbag as Niall held the suitcase, and we walked ahead. We got down the train, and a coat of pleasant air covered us. It was so comforting that I didn't even know when a smile writhed up on my lips.

"Feeling good?" Niall asked, smiling. His arm was around my waist.

"The weather is good," I replied, looking down to see his hand touching my waist.

"The manager of the home stay said of sending a cab. The driver must be out somewhere."

"When did he say that?" I furrowed my brows.