A buzz was heard from the platfrom.The train started moving.
We ran in a rush.
I could feel the warmth of those hands again.This time tightly as if he didn't wanted me to be left or alone either.
This kind of company or urge for company was rare.I couldn't help but stare at him.Following his steps.
"Shit."
The train door closed just before we reached and moved forward with a loud buzz which brought me back to my senses.
A moment ago,we were strangers that just met.One trying to talk and the other avoiding or acting to avoid.Was it fear or a cinema I can't dintinguish.But I had noticed him too in between the people on the station we met.
He was having a long deep conversations with strangers.A group of people circling him.Here I couldn't talk to a person on the next bench and he was there making bonds with people he probably didn't know.
Charishma??He definitely had it.The way he spoke the way he lit up the faces of the listeners.He took his cup of coffee and came in my direction.
I flexed my fingers and held the cover of the book tightly trying to focus on the book again and
"Hey."
And now,we were here stuck in a station we didn't exactly know with no luggage just a wallet that belonged to him and the clothes we were wearing.
"Shit.what do we do now??We are stuck."I panicked.
"I said nah .Destiny wants us to be together for a little longer.We can reach the next station.I will call them to keep our stuffs."
How could he be so calm.Sometimes I am jealous.Here I hold a whirlwind and he is as calm as the ocean.
"What next??"I asked .
"First a cup of cappuccino we couldn't drink."He headed to the café .Me following him.
2 cups of cappuccino double shot please.
"Cappucino??"I asked in unease.
"So an americano?!Bring some colours.Try it you will love it more."
I had no words.I was indeed scared of colors especially red.More than amusing I found it as threat especially from this morning.
Not totally wrong too.Every dangerous thing have red coding.Be it red light,acid on test ,heart or love.But I was finding the threat amusing.
The staff was brewing the coffee it was a soft aesthetic café with wooden interior and a soft jazz music playing in background.
He took out a packet cigarette and ofeered it to me.I refused.He didn't force me this time.
He gripped one between his lips and light it up.
"Why do you smoke??"I asked.
"Cause its fleeting just like life and I feel I can be vulnerably me with me.A little bit of calm.A little bit of comfort…"
"And a little bit of cancer."I interrupted.
A silence grew.And then..
He laughed histerically.
"Damn."
The coffee arrived.The smoke were curving his lashes.His cup of coffee reaching his lips before me.I was craving him indeed in a way I couldn't figure out.He again took out that diary from his pocket and wrote something as if he was taking some notes .
He drank it all pretty fast and I was stuck with a 2/3rd part still on the cup.
"Wanna live??"He asked.
I was pretty confused by his statement.I was living.
"Come with me."He said going to pay for the coffee.
"11$ sir"He swipped his card.
He booked a cab .
"Wilson hills."
"Its 10km will we reach the next station in time??What if we miss the train again??"I asked anxiously.
"We will live.Let some trains be missed.Trust me."
Something in me said to believe in him.And the cab drove straight from the station to the Wilson hills.
"You don't stress on anything right??I feel you are like an ocean no winds can reach."I said it finally.
He smirked slightly a little tint of sadness.And said.
"Even ocean have waves."
The ride went silent.
"Sir we have reached."
We got off the cab .
"Here??"I was shocked.I was afraid of heights and here he brought me for bungee.Something I never thought of attempting even in my wildest dreams.
"Have a try.Witness yourself ."
I was damn scared.My hands were trembling I was gulping hard.I wanted to leave but also wanted to see what he wanted to show me.
Ans 3,2,1..Jump
"Ahhh."A voice was heard but no fall.
Yeah I didn't jump.With my kness flexed I was still bringing up the courage that was denying me in every possible ways.But suddenly.
I felt a push.
"Ahhhh."
I shouted as I felt my body going down.
"What do you see??"
"Death"I replied.I could hear his laughter from above.But my eyes were tight shut.
"Open you eyes."
I slowly dared open my eyes and scene infront stunned me.
"Beautiful."
Sometimes the best view indeed lied above our fears.It was worth it.Worth the fear.Worth the scream.Worth the push.I smiled.
It was already dusk.We had to reach station by 5:30.
"Only 30 min will we reach in time??"I questioned in doubt.
"We will."
He said in assurance booking a cab.
"We have to reach the mian station in 30 min."
"Sir but its 11 km.It will take time.You'll have to take a flight."He said mockingly.
He looked at him in awe and said,"Let me handle this."
"Huh??"
Before the driver could say anything else he took over the stearing and started driving by the speed of light.
Sometime to the leftmost corner and next approaching the cliff.It was scary than the bungee.A adventure that I never knew could exist taking my heart out.A heart that started beating just a few hous ago.
At 5:29 pm we were already on the platform.
My hair freezy .Body as if the soul had left already.I looked around to see the driver.I smiled .He was in a worse condition than mine.
We took our luggage and got on the train.Seat no.123 and 124.
"Where are you going??"My first question.
"For some smiles."He said after a long thought.
I was used to of his complex half understandable statements.
"How far??"I asked in curiosity.
"The last station."He replied.
A rush of dopamine filled me.We were heading to the same destination?I could see these brown eyes more??That satisfactory curve for a little more longer??Why did I feel fulfilled.But why would they be around me?Who was I to him.Just a stranger.Who felt something.Something he never did or maybe did..I had no answers but a destination that looked clearer.
"Me too."I said in amusement.
He smiled maybe out of formality.
"Is it still too soon??"He asked.
"Huh??"
"To know you name ."He added with a smile.
I smiled .
"Autumn.Autumn Vales."
"Ok.So more like bloosoms and fragrance.You seem different."He said.
I raised my right eye brow.
"More like a tulip hesitating to bloom.A fragrance hiding somewhere in those pages if I am not wrong."He continued.
He indeed knew a lot in the very first meeting.I couldn't.
"Kind of."
"You seem more like monsoon.Fragile enough ready to fall.But its good enough.Not every fall causes an injury."He concluded.
I nodded.
He took out that diary and wrote again.
I gathered courage and asked,"What do you write in there??"
"Life."
Just a word.But was so deep ,so confusing.What about life he wrote.Was it the smile he always carried or the happiness he always had or the waves he stated once.I had no courage to ask further.But felt good that moments with me were considered a part of life too.Good or bad I can't give a statement,but he had something worth writing atleast.
After a couple of silent glances and a desparate clinging heart a buzz was heard.Louder than the one in my stomach.
"Station Esteinburg has arrived.Please check your baggages.Hope you had a beautiful journey."Mc announced again.
"I did."
My heart wasn't ready for the goodbye so soon the one I was eagerly waiting few hours ago.
I watched him carry his luggage and glance at me for the last time.In his eyes was fear too but I am bad at reading eyes.If it were him in my place he would have obviously know what was going on in that beating entity.But I could read mine.
My heart was rattling offering a bribe to god for the 2nd meeting with a full faith.
He waved at me for the last time and raised his steps towards the south.
I turned around too but with a hope to hear a pair of footsteps approaching me. I was waiting for a voice to call me .
"Autum."
I turned excitedly with a bit of hope.
It was..Stella.And he was already out of the sight.
Why do I feel a slight disappointment when I saw my closest friend.The one I used to be the happiest with.
It was indeed the next seven for me.
"7pm."
And we the strangers that accompanied eachother in few galces and smiles ,were strangers again.But this time with memories.Memories that atleast I would carry for life.And here I entered the second stage.
"Obsession."