Episode 1

  JANUARY 20, 2019

  I used to arrive at the station ten minutes early.

  Not because I was disciplined, but because being late felt like admitting something had control over me.

  I bought tea from the same stall. Stood at the same distance from the edge.

  Watched the same train numbers flicker and die on the board. Everything had a place, and I liked that nothing asked me questions.

  That evening was no different—until it was.

  I saw a girl who's standing where I usually stand.

  I have been standing in the same spot and on same timing I have never seen anyone.

  My feet slowed without permission. Because my routine hesitated. She looks confused do I have to talk to her?

  She wasn’t doing anything remarkable. Just waiting. Just holding her bag. Still, I felt like I was the one interrupting.

  It feel like she's confused, I think I was the one who confused

  I stepped closer and tried to talk to her but my mouth choked.

  She started to move towards me.

  While I was felt happy that I will talk to her she croosed me

  Her eyes didn’t meet mine, but I knew she had noticed me. The space between us suddenly felt intentional.

  The announcement came as the train arrived sooner I realized that it's not alone her train but also my train.

  Back to my scheduled routine.

  I didn’t know until I saw her that routines are fragile.

  They break the moment they meet a person who doesn’t belong to them.

  She boarded the same train that I board everyday yet I have never seen her before. How stupid I am.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  I wish I could have spoken to her, now I have to wait for the next but why do I have to?

  JANUARY 21, 2019

  The next day, I arrived earlier from office than usual.

  Not because I planned to speak to her—

  but because I didn’t trust myself not to leave if I arrived on time.

  She was already there.

  Same pillar. Same bag. Same light.

  Evening made everything look less serious, like the world was pretending yesterday hadn’t happened.

  I stood a little farther away than before, unsure if distance was politeness or fear.

  I was blowing tea, I didn’t intend to drink when she turned.

  She rolled her eyes 360 and asked “Do you have a phone? ”

  Without any thought I said “yes ”

  “Thank God “ she looked so relieved and showed her dead phone “My phone is dead I have to call my Mother ” she said with a bright smile

  I was speechless and stunned just staring at her smile.

  She waved her hands “Mr are you there? ”

  I have missed my chance while she's smiling. My face turned gloomy. “Sorry I have no balance on my phone “ I showed her my zero balance.

  Her smile turned down all because of me, is this a sin?

  She thanked me and went a bit forward.

  Without my knowledge my mouth called her “Mam____”

  She turned at me and gestured her hand pointing herself

  “Yes Mam” I said

  I went forward to her and said “Sorry Mam I could not help you but is it Emergency ”

  She replied “Nah, i just want to pass the information to my mom about the train delay “

  I don't know what I'm doing,

  I don't know why I was making myself talk to a stranger.

  I asked “So what are you going to do now? ”

  She smiled and said “I'll pass, I asked you because we are same office”

  I'm at a complete loss for words “Seriously!!”

  With her puzzled expression “What happened? Is Something wrong? ”

  My stupidity at its peak

  I rubbed the back of my neck with a thin wincing smile “I have never seen you before” Muttered “My bad”

  She blinked her eyes twice and started to smile “No worries, I'm very good at hiding my presence ”

  Man what an idiot I am not even noticing a girl who's in my office and taking the same train as I am.

  I really wanted to ask her name but in this situation, how can I, I feel so embarrassed to ask her.

  She pointed her eyes towards my face “what's your name Mr ”

  Ohh God, I'm so lucky she gave me a chance to know her name.

  I replied with a smile as bright as sun “I'm William “

  She replied me “ohh what a adorable name William”

  I asked her “what's your name miss Ninja “

  She started to walk forward as the train arrived.

  Do I ask something bad? I was very much confused

  ?"Hey! Your name?" I shouted as she started to walk towards her platform.

  ?She didn't stop, just tapped her chest where her ID badge usually hangs. "I've passed you in the lobby every morning for a year,"

  she called back with a laugh.

  She waved a hand over her shoulder. "Keep looking, William. You'll figure it out at the office... I guess.”

  ?She hopped into a bright pink carriage and poked her head out with a mischievous smile. "Get on, William! Unless you want to walk home!”

  ?SHITT!! Why was I just standing there like an idiot?

  ?I lunged for the closing doors, stumbling into the carriage just as they hissed shut.

  I turned to face her, but stopped dead. Through the glass of the connecting door, I saw the 'Ladies Only' sign.

  ?She watched me from the other side, giving me a mocking salute and that same knowing grin.

  ?I was in the very next carriage , yet she felt miles away.

  I had no idea who this mysterious girl was, but I knew one thing.

  ?Tomorrow morning, I will definitely find her who she's.

  TO BE CONTINUED