Love Departing From Plateform 1

18 | Constant In Chaos

Amidst the shifting sands of time, there are bonds that remain untouched by the winds of change ⏳💫

A Few Years Later

Yash's POV

I glanced at my watch—once, twice, thrice... Five minutes left until our train arrives. The announcements have already started. But where is she? Is she coming today or not?

Time has passed so quickly, yet some things never change. We still sip our morning tea together at the railway station, only now we depart to our respective colleges as final-year students instead of freshers. Those evening walks from the station to home, side by side, holding hands, remain the highlight of my day. Planning dates for Sundays has become routine, and she still blushes like a rose every time I hand her one.

I’ve lost count of the times we’ve dozed off on the train and ended up at the next station. The ice cream shop owner at the station knows our order by heart, a cup of ice cream with two spoons. Last time we visited the aquarium, the store manager warned us that if we had another soft toy fight, she’d throw us out.

The sound of the train approaching echoed through the platform. All the passengers boarded, but I stood there, waiting, hoping she will come. The final announcement for the train's departure was made. Reluctantly, I stepped inside, but stayed by the door, scanning the platform one last time. She wasn’t there. The train whistled and began to move slowly.

Then, like a bolt of lightning, a voice sliced through the din.

"Yaaashhh!"

I turned around, heart leaping into my throat. There she was, tearing through the crowd with her bag flailing wildly by her side, her hair a dark cascade billowing behind her. She was a whirlwind of motion, her eyes locked on the train, on me.

"Aaram se, Kriti! There's no hurry!" I called out, my voice strained as I leaned out of the train, my arm outstretched.

(Be careful, Kriti! There's no hurry!)

I stretched out my hand further, our fingers brushing on the first attempt. On the second try, our hands locked, and I gripped her tightly, pulling her in

She collided into me with a force that nearly knocked us both over, her momentum sending us crashing together. I felt her chest rise and fall rapidly against mine, her breath warm against my neck. Instinctively, my arms wrapped around her waist, holding her steady.

For a moment, everything else faded—the train, the station, the curious eyes of other passengers. It was just us, standing in the narrow space by the door, hearts racing in unison. She tilted her head back, her breath still coming in quick bursts as our eyes met. The tension broke in an instant, and we both burst into laughter, the sound mingling with the clatter of the train.

"That was crazy," I said, my voice a mix of exasperation and amusement.

"Yeah, it was" she said with a grin, I was still holding onto her.

"Anyway, thank you," she said, her tone softer now.

"Just a thank you?" I asked, feigning disappointment as I pouted playfully. "I was expecting a better reward."

She arched an eyebrow, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes. "Like what?" she teased, her lips curving into a smile.

"Like this," I whispered, leaning in, my breath mingling with hers, our proximity charged with anticipation.

But before our lips could meet, a loud cough bring us back to reality. We both jolted, our heads snapping towards the source of the interruption. Other passengers were staring at us, with their wide eyes and awkward expression.