I leaf through my book while hearing the rusty rails screeching and shaking the train. I glance at the window every now and then, curious about when I will reach my destination. For years, I have waited with my heart in my throat to finally see Ruby and Ava. It feels as if I can already see them at the station, waiting for me to arrive.
I am snapped out of my thoughts when the train slams on the brakes. I look around; everyone was just as confused as I was. People were already starting to get agitated, throwing dozens of questions at the conductor and the other train workers who were trying to explain what was happening and calm them down.
"Good people, please understand, the track is blocked by a fallen tree," cautioned the conductor, himself fed up with everything that had happened.
I open the window a bit and stick my head out. I look around; we were in a forested area, with nothing but trees on the left and right, their leaves rusted by time. I close the window in a hurry as I feel the cold gripping me and cold shivers running down my spine.
I take out my phone, thinking of letting Ava know that I won't arrive as quickly as I promised. My plan was to take them back with me to Mihăilești to stay with me. Before being here, I kept talking to them about everything that happened to me, all those nightmares that still haunt me now... Those people I could see so often out of the corner of my eye when my father used to take me into the woods. I want to find out more, so I don't have to live in fear anymore.
Since I moved to Mihăilești, everything has been great. I continued my studies; now I'm at the arts high school and I'm trying to make... a message on the phone from Ava: "We've arrived at the station! Everything is ready and we're waiting for you." I turn off my phone and go back to reading, wishing for time to fly faster, at least for today. While reading, not paying attention to the things happening around me, I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. I look up and meet a pair of green eyes with a kind and warm gaze. It was an old lady carrying a raffia bag. She smiles at me and says in a soft voice:
"No offense, dear, do you mind if I take a seat next to you?" she asks.
"Please, take a seat!" I reply quickly, getting up from my place to help her with her luggage. She thanks me and sits down; I do the same.
"What is your name, my dear?" she asks me.
"Rayah. And yours?"
"What a beautiful name, it reminds me of my daughter, even though she had a different name. My name is Elena."
"Nice to meet you. Where are you headed?"
"To Bucharest, to my daughter. You?"
"To Bucharest as well, it seems. I have to pick up some friends."
She just nodded and sat quietly. I returned to my book for the second or third time today. The clock struck a quarter past three. I still had four hours until I arrived; the girls would have quite a wait for me.
~ 18:16 ~
I jump out of the train as soon as it stops. My gaze darts back and forth among the dozens of people in the station, but there's no sign of Ruby or Ava. I let my bag drop and lean my palms on my knees; I didn't realize how fast I managed to get off the train. I look at the departure list again to make sure I didn't get off at the wrong station, but no, I am in Bucharest. I check the time, 6:10. The anxiety is killing me as I realize I'm alone in a place I don't know.
"Where on earth are you?" I ask myself while trying to call them, but nobody answers regardless of who I contact. I feel a strange sensation of unease in my soul while cold shivers run down my spine. I decide to move and find a shop or a grocery store. But when I reach down to check my bag, it's not there anymore. I swallow hard as I realize what's happening and start to panic. How could I have been so careless?
Just as I'm about to take off, someone catches me and puts their hands over my eyes. I flinch at the strange sensation; they felt warm but with a hint of frost. I startle and turn around quickly to see who it is, only to be met by a playful smile that made your soul laugh. A wave of happiness washes over me when I see Ruby in front of me.
"Took you long enough to get here," she says while rolling her eyes and crossing her arms over her chest.
I can't do anything but stand and stare at her. I've waited 4 years to see her, and now that she's in front of me, I can only look at her and hope this isn't just a dream that could be destroyed in a split second. Without further talk, I tackle her to the ground with a tight hug; not even the end of the world could destroy this moment. Tears stream down my face as I hold her tight to my chest.
"I'm so glad to finally see you!" I exclaim through the laughter that escaped me.
"Me too, Ray... me too," she pats me on the back and lets me go. "Someone is waiting for you."
"Ava?" I ask hopefully.
"Yes, she took your bag and ran off with it to scare you a bit, you know?"
I give a dry laugh, relieved that I didn't lose my documents and money in Bucharest.
"She should be here any second; she went to a cafe with a gentleman to resolve some issues, from what I understood," Ruby said.
We both sit on a bench in the station. The train that is supposed to take me back home, this time with Ruby and Ava, arrives in half an hour.
"You know, me and Ava could have come alone; you didn't have to travel all this way," Ruby tells me.
"No, it was too risky, and I was the one who insisted on coming, so you shouldn't feel guilty," I reassure her with a hand on her shoulder.
After some time, Ava appears, walking toward us with determination; she seemed quite troubled. I get up from my place and run toward her, taking her in a tight embrace.
"I missed you," I tell her and let go. "How long has it been?"
"2 or 3 years for sure, Dandelion."
I smile faintly at the old school nickname. I hadn't seen her in quite a few years. I grew up with her until she moved to Bucharest in the 7th grade for a better life. Later, I met Ruby online, found out she was also from Bucharest, and introduced them.
"Are you okay?" I ask worriedly as I notice her expression; she was slightly pale and looked as if she had been crying.
"Yes, just tired from all the waiting. By the way, here's your luggage. Gave you a scare, didn't I?" she said with a weak laugh and a pat on my back.
"Raya, Ava, hurry up! Our train arrived 3 minutes ago!" Ruby shouts at us. We run for the train, not wanting to get stuck here now.
Once on the train, we take our seats, laughing and joking like children. The whole journey was full of jokes, stories, and beautiful moments. Everything is perfect.