Sirf tum❤

06. Conversation 2

**RADHYA'S POV**

I changed my seat and went to sit opposite that man.

He asked me where I was traveling. I said to my native place in Kerala, and he told me he was also going there. He asked if I stayed in Kerala, and I told him we live in Mumbai and are going to Kerala to attend a family function. I then shared my idea of renaming this train to "Super Slow Express."

He laughed at my suggestion. His smile! Then I got a call. I knew who it was—maybe Papa or my aunt (my mother's sister). Yes, it was my aunty.

I picked up the call and asked her if they had breakfast. She informed me that it was raining there. I handed my phone to Maa. She started speaking, and I knew I wouldn't get my phone back for an hour. I was kidding, but we all know how long Maa and Aunty can talk.

I looked outside the window, and it was raining here too. I love rain. It feels like someone is blessing me from above. Rain is a sign that something good is going to happen or has happened.

I told him it was raining, and he said he hated rain now. I replied that everyone has different views.

Maybe he had bad memories associated with rain. I hope his opinion changes someday.

I changed the topic and told him how amazing trains are for connecting strangers. He agreed. He told me he came to Mumbai for work and liked the place, so he stayed.

I then shared that I felt like I had seen him somewhere before. He said he travels a lot and meets many people, so he doesn’t remember.

I told him I love traveling, but I have responsibilities and no one will permit me to travel.

Dishan: "Then I think you will get to travel after marriage with your husband."

Marriage... I don’t believe in today's love. Moreover, who will marry me when all I do is take medicine and my health is always poor?

Radhya: "Let's see... After marriage, more responsibilities come. And I don't believe in today's love. If I find someone who respects, trusts, cares for, and loves me equally, then I will think about marriage."

Dishan: "It's true. There's no such thing as love today. I also have the same views."

Radhya: "It's good for you boys. Parents don't force you much to marry. For girls, as soon as she turns 20, groom hunting starts."

He laughed, and I smiled at him.

Dishan: "It's not like that. Our parents also pressure us, but we don't listen and ignore them."

Radhya: "Hmm... But we girls agree for their happiness."

Dishan: "We boys also think about their happiness. But we think to settle first in life before deciding on marriage."

Radhya: "Oh... In that case, you have more freedom to do whatever you want. But we girls have to take permission for every small thing. I’m not complaining; I know they are worried about our safety. But sometimes we need some freedom."

Dishan: "Yes... But with our freedom comes the expectation to earn money and more. People think our only job is to earn."

Radhya: "Yes, I understand. Both have their own sets of problems and freedoms. Those with responsibilities understand better what it feels like. Now, let's leave this topic, or we’ll end up debating. I’m just hungry."

Dishan: "I knew nothing would come, so I took upma and ate it."

Radhya: "I don’t like upma, so I didn’t have anything. Now, the station will arrive soon. I hope something will come, or I will get down and buy something to eat."

Dishan: "Let's see if someone will come or not."

I checked my phone to see when we would reach the next station. It was only 15 minutes away. I looked outside the window.

We sat silently after that. I scrolled through Instagram, and he looked at his phone, smiling. Someone special, maybe...

Finally, the station arrived. After what seemed like an eternity, the station came. I quickly got up and went to my seat. I told Maa that I was hungry and didn't think anyone would come.

I said I was getting down to buy something to eat. She first said no, fearing I would miss the train. I convinced her the train would stop for 10 minutes and I would come back. She agreed and gave me money.

I looked outside and saw a man selling something. I got down from the train and ran to him. I bought a plate of 'vada,' gave him the money, and quickly walked back to board the train.

Maa smiled at me, and that man looked at me, smiling. I smiled back and started eating, bending my body because the others were still sleeping. Maa took one vada, and the rest were for me.

I ate quickly, washed my hands, and returned to my seat, still bending. That man was now sleeping. It wasn't good to wake him up.

I opened Spotify and started listening to songs, lying down. It was now a 1-hour journey to my stop. It was 11 am, so I would reach around 12 and take another hour to reach home, freshen up, and get ready for the reception.

We would reach the hall around 1 pm. I closed my eyes and listened to the song, singing along.

After an hour, our stop was approaching. We kept our bags on our seats. That man had woken up and was now sitting.

I smiled at him, and he smiled back. We took our bags to deboard the train. We finally reached our station and deboarded. It was noon.

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**Dishan and Radhya have now gone separate paths. Will the future make them meet again, or will they never meet?

Till then, keep reading.

KEEP SMILING AND BE HAPPY 😊**