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TRAIN JOURNEY (Part 2)

As I stepped off the train making my way to the exit only to find that a huge queue was ahead of me for mandatory covid test. As soon as I got done with the test and a negative report in my hand I stepped out of the medical tent when it started pouring. Weather in hill Stations have always been unpredictable, I've seen heavy rainfall even on a sunny day. 

Briskly walking towards the auto stand when an Esport stopped right in front of me. The window scrolled down and a familiar face popped up. "Where are you heading?", he asked. I knew he was a complete stranger who happened to have made a very crazy impact on me and I shouldn't be driven by that still I diligently replied, "Makkawala". 

"Hop in I'll drop you!", he said. I hesitated for a moment but I was drenching in rain and I noticed his eyes, it was too awful to see disappointment in them. I sat in the back seat and he turned back, handed me a towel and said, "Dry your hair, you don't want to fall sick after a long journey." I nodded and started rubbing my hair with the towel. 

"Why am I listening to him? Wtf is wrong with you? In a strangers car, god knows where to?", My brain was contemplating my recent decisions when my phone rang. I picked up, "Yup, I've reached, got done with my covid test, will drop a text in the family group when I reach the flat." Hung up straight away to avoid getting caught for lying. My elder brother has always been able to catch me lying.

I didn't want to seem nervous or anxious but I was. I didn't notice that there was a third person in the car. The person on the driver's seat. It triggered my anxiety. I was trying to figure out if they were decent people. The relation he had with the person driving. Flat-mate? Or Friend? 

That's when it stuck me I've reached the place I love the most, Dehradun. Oh, I've missed the smell, the air and everything about this city.

Minutes later as we crossed Silver city, he turned back and asked, "Would you like some coffee, since it's cold ? If you're okay we can drop by Dunkin Donuts?". The expectation in his eyes felt warm and he seemed to have read my mind or something before I could reply he said, "It's okay. Let's just drop you." I noticed, he had removed his mask, momentarily when he turned back and I was so deeply focused onto his eyes that I completely forgot to look at the rest of his face.

As we reached Shiwalik, it was still pouring and he stepped out with an umbrella opened the door for me and held my bag. I insisted to get it by myself but since it was empty I let him hold it. I insisted on holding the umbrella as I could see him getting soaked on his shoulder. He was tall for me to avoid the umbrella from touching his head. With his left arm he held onto my shoulder and pulled me close. "Come inside the umbrella !!", he exclaimed. I  looked at him and that jawline could definitely puncture someone's heart at one.

He walked me to the elevator.  "Thanks a ton for dropping me &.." as I was about to complete he interrupted my speech by fixing my pony tail as it got stuck by the belt of my sling bag. His fingers touched my neck while fixing my hair and my eyes met his.

"Take care !", he said with warmth in his eyes and started walking towards his car.

I stepped into the elevator and it stuck me. I didn't get his name.


To the guy who helped me.

Thank You!

Hope to have an encounter with you again !


-Pritha Krishna

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