Lilies Unbound | Desi Sapphic Oneshots

04. Public Transport

The train sped by the small towns with green trees spotted with dew. I yawned, tears pooling in the corners of my eyes. "Sleepy?" she asked, sliding down beside me.

I smiled and nodded, blinking away the tears. I let my eyes rake over her, taking in her uniform -- a black blazer with a white set of trousers and a shirt like all ticket conductors in trains. But her's is... something else. Her hair was tied into a neat braid, a rose nestled in the beginning of her braid.

She smiled, making my cheeks hot. Pointing to my suitcase stowed below the seats, she asked questioningly, "Short trip this time?"

I nodded, tearing my eyes away from her. Her tablet sat between us, a barrier but also a preventive control for my reddening cheeks. "What about you?" I asked, before realising what I just said.

Humouring me she shook her head, "No, not this time, I get off at the last stop." she pouted, making my heart skip a beat.

I laughed, "Sorry, don't know what's up with me today." I said, motioning to the tablet. She nodded and I stowed it away under my bag on the table, butterflies jumping around in my stomach.

"Where'd you go this time?" she asked, leaning back. Placing her head on the headboard, she turned towards me expectantly. Gulping, I take a swig from my water bottle. "Oh, big story this time, huh?" she chuckled, turning back and closing her eyes.

"No, not really," I said, placing the bottle back in its place. "Just the usual work visit."

"Hmm, tell me about it. I'm always travelling for work," she said, opening her eyes and looking at me. Chuckling, I lean back too, tired from my early morning rush to catch the train.

"Don't mind, but I'm going to catch a small nap," she said, smiling apologetically at me. I shake my head, offering my blanket. She refused softly, uncrossing her arms to give it back. "No, keep it. I don't want you to become cold."

How could I when she was sweet towards me, letting me wait for her every time I rode this train, not knowing when I would see her next? Maybe it was the melancholic weather or my sleep-deprived state, but I looked at her with tears in my eyes.

She sat up straight, eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What's wrong?" she asked, placing her hand warmly on my shoulder. It made me choke up even more, that warmth that I met erratically. "Please, tell me, come on." she pleaded, scooching closer.

She looked down at her watch and out the window, guessing when she would have to make rounds of the compartment again. Sighing exasperatedly, she tapped her foot against the ground, trying to think of a solution.

"Look here," she said, turning my face towards her. "I don't want to leave you like this, so please," she said, her eyes analyzing my face. Despite my sadness, my cheeks still went red from her gaze.

Wiping my eyes, I wave my hand at her. "No, it's nothing, don't worry about it," I said, motioning for her to get ready for her rounds. I turned to get her tablet when she tapped my shoulder.

"I'm telling you, it's fine--" I broke off as her lips met mine, soft and tasting of some familiar soft drink. When she pulled back, I looked at her with wide eyes, but only for a second before I pulled her back, revelling in her warmth.

The chatter of the waiting crowd at the station sounded through the open window and I let her go, breathless and starry-eyed. She glanced outside before turning back to me, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"The train doesn't stop here," she said, opening the top button of her shirt. "And the next station is a long way off," she hinted as her hand toyed with the hem of my kurta, teasingly slipping under.

I smirked and reached over her to shut the door of my cabin. "Well, thank god I got first coach, hm?" I said, pulling her down just as the train rolled out of the station.