Maaneet SS - When We Met On The Train - 20/01/2025 - Chp 3 / Pg 6 - Page 6

Oh wow

Maan could not get her out if his mind the whole day

Nothing extraordinary about her but still caught his eyes

Why did he go yo the station first of all

So do glad he is going again next day

Lets see if he makes a conversion

Originally posted by: Alamelu

Oh wow

Maan could not get her out if his mind the whole day

Nothing extraordinary about her but still caught his eyes

Why did he go yo the station first of all

So do glad he is going again next day

Lets see if he makes a conversion

Thank youuu...stay tuned for next

chapter 1

Those eyes got her. Just a face in the crowd, but a face that captured her attention.

chapter 2

Destiny anyone? He was not even there for the train. An impulse kicked in and sent him there.

He will go back to see if he has another run in with her. And maybe they will see each other again.

Originally posted by: coderlady

chapter 1

Those eyes got her. Just a face in the crowd, but a face that captured her attention.

Thanks @coderlady! means a lot <3

Originally posted by: coderlady

chapter 2

Destiny anyone? He was not even there for the train. An impulse kicked in and sent him there.

Yup!

extra extra extra

Originally posted by: coderlady

He will go back to see if he has another run in with her. And maybe they will see each other again.

Maybe or maybe not! Stay tuned

Chapter 3

Even as the hum of the city pulsed in the background, Maan’s world felt unusually quiet. He stood on the same platform, at the same time, with the same hopeful glances cast down the tracks. The cool metal of his watch pressed into his wrist, the weight of its ticking reminding him that every passing second widened the chasm between expectation and reality

He had cleared his schedule - a decision that wasn’t easy in the chaotic world of corporate deadlines and constant demands. Yet, here he was, in the middle of the afternoon rush, where trains came and went like fleeting promises. A breeze, laced with the familiar scents of diesel and damp concrete, brushed against his face. It carried with it memories of their last encounter... her smile, like soft chimes, and the light in her eyes that made the bustling world seem insignificant

“Phew,” he muttered under his breath, tugging at the cuff of his blazer.

He tried to occupy his mind, his gaze wandering to the lives unfolding around him. A young couple arguing over something trivial, an elderly man meticulously folding his newspaper, a child clinging to his mother’s dupatta. And yet, none of it truly registered. His senses were attuned to something else entirely - the faintest hint of her presence, the slightest glimpse of her familiar silhouette. But the station seemed adamant to play the part of an indifferent host today.

He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers brushing through the carefully styled strands now disheveled from the tension of waiting. The clock above ticked relentlessly, its hands mocking his silent vigil. The thought struck him like a dull ache: “Maybe she isn’t coming.”

He stepped closer to the edge of the platform, scanning the windows of the train that had just pulled in. His heart picked up - a fleeting surge of hope that quickly dissipated as the crowd spilled out and she wasn’t among them.

Come on, Maan he muttered to himself, forcing a faint smirk as if to brush off the disappointment. It’s not like you to stand here waiting like some love-struck teenager

Yet, he couldn’t make himself leave. His feet seemed rooted to the ground, held in place by an invisible bond to a moment that had already passed.

A whistle blew, signaling the train’s departure. The sound reverberated in his chest, jarring him out of his reverie. He took a step back, letting the crowd surge around him like waves crashing against a solitary rock. The platform felt emptier now, even though it was still teeming with life. And amidst it all, he stood alone, an island of longing in a sea of transience.

Maybe another time he thought, though the conviction in those words felt as thin as the air around him. Adjusting his blazer, he turned on his heel, his steps echoing against the tiled floor as he walked away. But with every step, a quiet thought followed him, persistent and unshakable

Why hadn’t she come? Is she okay? Sick?

~~

The evening was dressed in hues of amber and indigo as Maan stepped out of the station. The city was alive with its usual rhythm - honking cars, hurried footsteps, and the faint murmur of a distant street musician. Yet, none of it seemed to register. His thoughts remained tethered to the emptiness of the platform he had just left behind

She wasn’t there

It wasn’t as if they had planned to meet. They hadn’t exchanged a word, hadn’t shared a gesture that would signify acknowledgment. And yet, her absence felt like a broken promise...a silent expectation unmet. Maan loosened the tie around his neck, letting the crisp night air brush against his skin

His car was parked a few blocks away, and he took his time reaching it. Each step carried a swirl of questions he couldn’t quite voice. Why had he come back? What was he hoping to find? He barely knew anything about her...just the fleeting memory of her face framed by the train window. But something in her eyes that day had rooted itself in him, pulling him back to this place with a force he couldn’t explain

The memory played on a loop, vivid against the dim haze of the present. The way she had leaned against the window, one hand resting lightly on the edge of her seat. The sunlight had kissed her features, making her seem almost ethereal against the humdrum backdrop of the train. And those eyes...curious yet distant, as if they carried the weight of a world he’d never know. For a split second, she had looked directly at him, her gaze colliding with his before the train had picked up speed, whisking her away and leaving him standing in its wake

Maan ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling under his calm exterior. This wasn’t him. He didn’t chase shadows, didn’t let himself get lost in fleeting moments. But tonight, as the city buzzed around him, he couldn’t shake the lingering thought that he had let something important slip through his fingers

Reaching his car, he paused, his hand on the door handle. A part of him wanted to drive away, to let logic and practicality guide him back to his world of boardrooms and deadlines. But another part - a quieter, stubborn part - refused to let go. He glanced back at the station, its lights flickering in the distance

What are you doing to yourself, Maan? he muttered under his breath, shaking his head

And yet, even as he slid into the driver’s seat, his thoughts lingered. What if she had been on a different train today? What if she’d been there, and he had just missed her? The possibility gnawed at him, feeding the ache that had settled in his chest

The drive home was uncharacteristically slow. He found himself taking detours, his usual efficiency replaced by a strange reluctance to return to the solitude of his apartment. The rain had begun to fall again, light at first, then heavier, painting the windshield with streaks that blurred the city lights into a kaleidoscope of colors

At a red light, he glanced at the dashboard, where a neatly folded newspaper lay. His gaze flicked to the date printed at the top. A sudden idea struck him...wild and impractical, yet impossible to ignore

Tomorrow. He could come back tomorrow

The thought should have annoyed him, should have been dismissed with the same practicality that governed most of his decisions. But instead, it settled in his mind like a stubborn ember, refusing to fade

Maybe she wouldn’t be there. Maybe he’d find himself standing on that platform again, scanning the crowd for a face he barely knew. But maybe she would be

The light turned green, and Maan pressed down on the accelerator, the car surging forward into the rain-drenched night. For the first time in years, he let himself hold on to a hope that had no guarantees, a hope as fragile as the fleeting moments that had brought him here in the first place

~~

The sound of rain pattering against the window filled the small room, a rhythmic backdrop to Geet’s sluggish movements. She sat on the edge of her bed, her head leaning against the cool metal frame, the warmth of the blanket wrapped around her doing little to ease the chill spreading through her body.

A soft cough escaped her lips, followed by a sigh of frustration. This wasn’t how she had imagined her day. Her mornings were sacred, punctuated by the familiarity of routine...the early rise, the rush to catch the morning train, and the comfort of finding her usual seat by the window

Today, though, even the idea of walking to the station had felt like an insurmountable task.

She stared out the rain-splattered window, her gaze unfocused. Her thoughts wandered to yesterday’s train ride...the fleeting moment that had stayed with her far longer than she cared to admit.

It wasn’t the first time she’d taken the train, but it was the first time someone had caught her attention so completely. The man standing by the car, his presence as striking as the quiet confidence he seemed to carry. He had glanced up just as the train began to move, and their eyes had met - a brief but charged exchange that had left her pulse quickening.

Geet pulled the blanket tighter around herself. It was silly, she knew. The city was vast, the train teeming with strangers. Yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling that there had been something more in that moment.

Stop it she whispered to herself, her voice raspy. It’s nothing

Still, the thought lingered, unwelcome yet persistent. What if he had been there today, waiting? The idea sent a pang of regret through her. She hadn’t even caught the morning train - not because she didn’t want to, but because her body had betrayed her, leaving her too drained to face the world outside.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was a text from her friend, asking if she needed anything. Geet smiled faintly, her fingers typing a quick reply assuring her that she was fine. But was she? She wasn’t sure.

The rain outside softened, its steady rhythm a soothing backdrop to her racing mind. She leaned back against the headboard, closing her eyes and letting out a slow breath. Maybe it was for the best. What were the chances that she would see him again, anyway?

And yet, the quiet voice inside her wouldn’t let her rest. What if he had been there, just as she had hoped? What if her absence today had left him wondering, the same way she had wondered about him since yesterday?

Tomorrow, she promised herself. If she felt better, she would take the train. And maybe, just maybe, the universe would give her another chance to see him - to make sense of the strange, inexplicable pull she felt toward a stranger whose name she didn’t even know.

Geet pulled the blanket closer, her lips curling into a faint smile despite herself. The thought was foolish, but it warmed her nonetheless. Somewhere out there, amidst the rain and the bustling city, was the faint hope of another meeting - a connection waiting to find its way back.

The night stretched on, its silence punctuated only by the gentle murmur of rain and the occasional distant rumble of thunder. Geet drifted in and out of restless sleep, her feverish body caught between reality and fleeting dreams. Each time her eyes fluttered open, her mind wandered back to the station, to the window seat she hadn’t claimed today, and to the face she hadn’t expected to miss

~~

Morning arrived with the soft glow of dawn, casting a warm hue through the rain-speckled windows. Geet woke to the chirping of sparrows outside her apartment, their melody cutting through the haze of her grogginess. She stretched gingerly, testing the weight of her body against the lingering exhaustion. Her fever had broken during the night, leaving her limbs heavy but her spirit oddly buoyant.

She glanced at the clock - still early enough to catch the train if she hurried. The thought filled her with an unusual urgency, a subtle but insistent voice urging her to move. The ache in her chest wasn’t enough to hold her back today. She pushed the blanket aside, letting the cool air wrap around her as she swung her feet to the floor

As she prepared for the day, her movements carried a newfound determination. The reflection in the mirror showed a face that, while still pale, held a glimmer of anticipation. She wrapped her scarf snugly around her neck, the soft fabric offering comfort as she braced herself for the chill outside.

Today she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the heater. Today, I won’t miss it

Maan, too, had risen early, the crisp morning air doing little to calm the restless energy buzzing beneath his composed exterior. The city was still shaking off the remnants of the night, its streets quieter than usual. He adjusted the cuffs of his shirt, the familiar ritual grounding him as he readied himself to leave.

The drive to the station was slower than usual, the rain having left the roads slick and glistening. As he navigated through the maze of early commuters, he found himself replaying yesterday’s disappointment. But today, he told himself, felt different. Today, the pull toward the platform was even stronger, as though some unseen force was urging him forward.

Parking his car, he stepped into the brisk morning air. The station loomed ahead, its towering structure bustling with life even at this early hour. Maan’s gaze swept over the familiar scene - the vendors setting up their stalls, the rhythmic clatter of luggage wheels against the tiled floor, the hum of conversations blending into a symphony of urban chaos.

And yet, his focus was singular

The train pulled into the station with its usual fanfare, the screech of brakes mingling with the din of the platform. Geet sat by the window, her heart thudding in her chest as she scanned the faces outside. She wasn’t sure what she was looking for ... perhaps nothing, perhaps everything. The platform was a blur of movement, and yet her gaze kept returning to one figure.

He was there

Maan stood near the edge of the platform, his sharp profile illuminated by the soft morning light. His eyes, usually so calm and calculating, held an uncharacteristic intensity as they swept over the train windows. When his gaze finally collided with hers, time seemed to still, the world around them fading into a muted background

Geet’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding it, and now, as she exhaled, a strange warmth spread through her chest. She didn’t know him - not his name, not his story...but in that moment, it didn’t matter. The connection was undeniable, as real as the train seat beneath her and the window framing his face

Maan took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. For the first time in days, the tension in his shoulders eased, replaced by a quiet sense of relief. She was here. The ache of unanswered questions, the frustration of missed opportunities...all of it melted away as he allowed himself to simply exist in the moment

The train lurched forward, pulling her away once more. But this time, the distance didn’t feel as vast, the silence not as final. Their eyes stayed locked until the platform disappeared from view, and even then, the connection lingered

As Geet leaned back in her seat, a smile tugged at her lips, faint but undeniably there. And for the first time, Maan found himself smiling too, his steps lighter as he left the station.

Sometimes, the universe spoke in whispers, in fleeting moments that seemed inconsequential at first glance. But today, amidst the rain and the rush, it had spoken loud and clear.

This was only the beginning

~~

The day unfolded in fragments for both Maan and Geet, their usual routines overlaid with the quiet hum of something new - a presence that neither could shake. The world around them carried on, indifferent to the undercurrent of anticipation that had taken root in their hearts

Geet sat at her desk, the stack of papers before her untouched. Her mind flitted back to the station, to the fleeting moments when their eyes had met. It wasn’t just a glance; it was as though time had slowed, pulling them into a bubble where the noise of the world ceased to matter

The memory warmed her, but it also left her restless. Who was he? What was it about him that had drawn her in so effortlessly? She fiddled with the pen in her hand, its cap clicking rhythmically as her thoughts wandered

“Earth to Geet,” a voice teased, breaking through her reverie. It was Priya, her colleague and closest friend, leaning against the edge of her desk with a knowing smile

“You’ve been staring at that same page for ten minutes. Daydreaming about a certain someone?” Priya wiggled her eyebrows, her tone playful yet curious

Geet felt heat rush to her cheeks, but she quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug. “It’s nothing. Just a random thought.”

“Hmm.” Priya didn’t look convinced. “Random or not, it’s got you glowing like Diwali lights. Spill.”

Geet shook her head, a faint smile betraying her. “It’s nothing worth spilling, Priya. Just…a moment.”

“Well,” Priya said, crossing her arms, “if that ‘moment’ has you this distracted, I’d say it’s worth holding onto.”

Geet’s smile lingered as Priya walked away, her words resonating. Worth holding onto. She wasn’t sure what that meant yet, but a small part of her agreed

Across the city, Maan’s day was just as fractured. Meetings blurred together, his usually sharp focus dulled by the image of her face framed by the train window. He had barely spoken to her- hadn’t spoken to her at all, actually...and yet, she occupied his thoughts with a persistence that was both frustrating and exhilarating

By the time his afternoon meeting ended, he found himself back at his desk, staring out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of his office. The city stretched out before him, its endless sprawl a stark contrast to the singular thought that consumed him.

“Maan, you with us?” Aditya, his business partner, called out, leaning against the doorframe. His casual demeanor belied the sharpness of his gaze. “You’ve been somewhere else all day.”

Maan turned, forcing a faint smirk. “Just thinking. Nothing to worry about.”

Aditya raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but too tactful to press. “Well, whatever’s on your mind, don’t let it mess with your pitch tomorrow. The investors won’t be swayed by charm alone.”

Maan nodded, his expression neutral, though his thoughts remained elsewhere. Once Aditya left, he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. Tomorrow. The word hung in his mind, heavy with unspoken hope

Would she be there again?

~

That evening, the rain returned, casting a shimmering veil over the city. Geet stood by her window, watching as droplets traced uneven paths down the glass. Her scarf lay on the bed, the faintest trace of his memory clinging to the fabric from the morning

Across the city, Maan stood on his balcony, the rain misting his face as he stared into the distance. The quiet rhythm of the storm matched the restless beat of his heart

In the solitude of their respective worlds, they both made an unspoken promise

Tomorrow

Chapter 3 is here. Happy reading!

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