Stations to fall in love - Avneil FF

Part 5

Hiyaaaa!

I am back again with another chapter!

Thank you so much again for all the lovely comments and votes! please keep them coming!!!

Song: Coldplay featuring Dua Lipa - Homesick

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Neil's POV:

"You're such an idiot, Neil!" DD had almost shouted into the phone when I had meekly admitted that I had not asked for her number. He did not want to hear any excuses. "You know what? I'll just ask Ali if he would give me her number, then you can call her!", DD explained to me.

"What, wait? How will you get Avni's number from Ali?", I asked, totally confused. For a moment, it was quiet on the line. "DD?" I asked to make sure he was still there. "I have his number already, we're gonna go to cricket match today!", he explained nonchalantly. I grunted softly. "What?" he asked, slightly upset.

"Nothing, nothing," I replied, but could not wipe a broad grin off my face.

So, DD gave me Avni's number and although I was not sure at first if I woule be too intrusive, I could not hold back and just texted her Saturday night.

Of course, I had forgotten to mention my name, which is why this came back: "Who are you?"

But the moment the misunderstanding got clarified, I think there was not a single hour left in which we did not text.

"My friend thinks you're a crazy stalker who wants to kill me," she once texted me. "What if I am?" I asked back with a winking smiley. "Then you would be haunted by me as a ghost and my friend," the answer came directly with a smiley face emoji.

Sunday night I was about to call her because I wanted to hear her voice. But, there was already a text message in which she asked me when I take the train back to Mumbai. Immediately, a smile spread on my face. "Why are you grinning like a fool?" My grandmother Bebe asked. "Nothing," I said dismissively and entrenched myself in my room.

We again planned to take the same train to head back to Mumbai. I was anything but calm. I could not wait for the train to stop at Lonavala station. Finally, the train came to a halt there.

In order not to be too noticeable, I tried not to watch the train doors all the time.

"Is this seat taken?", I heard an elderly lady ask in a friendly manner. I smiled at her and nodded. I just could not say no. But, as fate would have it, more people arrived and asked if the space in my compartment was free. I simply could not deny it again, because I was constantly thinking about how Avni offered the older couple the seat on Friday evening, without batting an eye.

Now, it was only a few minutes before the train would leave.

I got impatient and my leg twitched from being nervous. Again and again I stared at my phone and hoped she would get in touch. Just when it was time to leave, an announcement went through.

"We are sorry to inform you that there are some railway complications to report. This train to Mumbai expects a delay of fifteen minutes. We also apologize for the lack of space. Another train has broken down completely and therefore the passengers are forwarded on this train. We ask for your understanding and apologize again for the inconvenience.", the announcement said.

I exhaled in relief. As already predicted, more and more people got on the train. But again as I was almost on the point of giving up that she would come, I saw her jumping on the train, just before the train took off. I watched as she glanced around and saw that there was not a single seat left. Unfortunately, I sat with my back to her, so she probably could not see me.