Stranger in the Train

Attractions and Conversations

Akshara stared at the hazel eyes and the tissue box he was holding up a few times. Although he was a stranger, she felt something familiar about him, especially the way he had asked her to stop crying. She extended her hand and took a few wipes and dabbed under her eyes.

"Thank you for giving me tissues and not your handkerchief," she said with a small smile on her face.

"That would be gross," he said grimacing.

Akshara was surprised. "I know, right! I have always thought it was disgusting when they do it in the movies. My family members call me unromantic for saying so."

"I don't know about them. But I totally agree with you. I think it is high time people should understand, especially after the pandemic," the guy said seriously and Akshara nodded her head, happy that there was someone who agreed to her thoughts about hygiene and cleanliness.

After a few minutes of silence, "Are you ok?" he asked gently.

Akshara again had a feeling that there was something familiar about the man sitting in front of him, although she was sure she had never met him before. 

"You are right, Akshu. Who would forget such a handsome face," her inner voice teased her, and she turned her face outside to hide the light flush adorning her cheeks. This was also a first for her. Akshara Goenka was never flustered by the opposite sex. Yes, she had a few crushes but most of them crashed right when they opened their mouths. She found most guys, especially the ones her own age, to be too egoistic and chauvinistic. But the person sitting next to her, with beautiful but kind eyes, his concerned expression, and a gorgeous face was making her heart flutter, something she was not used to.

Akshara again looked at him, who was looking back at her with a concerned face because she had not answered him yet, "Have we m...?" Before she could complete the question, she was jolted out of the loud ringing of her phone. She checked the caller id to see that her sister was calling again. She cut the call, not in the mood to talk to her again. But the phone started ringing again immediately. Akshara sighed and decided to pick the call because Aarohi would call her relentlessly until she gave in

"Kya hai?" she literally shouted into the phone and looked at the guy sitting next to her, looking back at her amused.

"Didi...talk nicely to me because I have something that you may like to see."

"Talking nicely to you is never gonna happen. And whatever you have, I don't want to see. I shouldn't have stopped Mumma from doing whatever she wanted to do with you." she said exasperated.

"Mein Mumma se NAHI darti" said Aarohi, a voice nervously.

"Achaji. Anyway, Mumma ka quota bhi mein hi aake tujhe dedungi," threatened Akshara.

"Ab don't waste my time. Why did you call me?" she said without letting her sister reply.

"Batate hai...Bua sent me the photo of Jijs. Di...he is so handsome, so hot," said Aarohi excitedly.

"Uske hotness ka Kya achar daalu mein," said Akshara and could hear a snicker from next to her. "And stop calling him Jijs. He is not your jiju yet."

"You are so boring, Didi. Waise Jijs to banhi jaayenge. Now be nice to me if you want to see his photo."

"I don't want to....so, get lost," she said and cut the call.

She sighed again and looked up to see the guy looking at her with an amused smile.

"Siblings, you know how they are..." said Akshara with a grin, feeling sheepish because the guy saw the uncouth side of her.

The guy shrugged his shoulders, "Actually, I don't.. You see, I am a single child,"