Karan held Riya’s hand firmly, determination coursing through him as they walked toward the station. He was acutely aware of the ten goons watching them closely, their eyes flickering with anticipation. The atmosphere was thick with tension, but he focused on Riya, guiding her through the gauntlet of danger with caution. They moved together, navigating through the group as silently as possible, the goons’ glances heavy with unspoken intentions.
Once inside the station, Karan tried to push aside the looming threat. He leaned closer to Riya, letting a light-hearted smile break through the heaviness of the night. “You know,” he began, his voice playful, “I didn’t expect to meet someone so captivating in such a chaotic situation.”
Riya smiled back, her tension easing for a moment as she played along. “Well, you know how to charm a girl, don’t you?”
As they crossed the platform, taking the bridge that connected the two sides, their conversation flowed easily, filled with flirty banter and laughter. For Karan, the flirtation was a way to distract both himself and Riya from the danger outside. He admired how her eyes sparkled when she smiled, and he felt a sense of comfort in their connection, however temporary.
But as they returned from the bridge, Riya suddenly turned serious. “Look behind us,” she said, her voice low. “That man is following us from Platform One.”
Karan glanced back, spotting a figure lingering at a distance, his demeanor suspicious. The man hadn’t approached them directly, but the unease in the pit of Karan’s stomach grew. He didn’t want to alarm Riya further, but he also didn’t want to ignore the potential threat.
“Let’s not think about him,” Karan said, trying to sound casual. “If he hasn’t come here for any trouble, then there’s no point in worrying.” He quickly shifted the focus back to Riya, continuing his flirtation, his voice light as he remarked on the quirks of the railway station.
Riya responded with a hesitant smile, though he could see the worry lingering in her eyes. Karan kept talking, weaving playful comments and laughter into the air, hoping to distract both of them from the creeping sense of danger that loomed just beyond their carefree facade. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched, and time was running out.
As they made their way back onto Platform One, Karan could feel the weight of the goons’ stares boring into them. He noticed the man who had been following them was still lingering at a distance, his gaze fixed on the couple. Yet, lost in the moment with Riya, Karan tried to push the unease aside, determined to enjoy her company.
Suddenly, Riya stopped walking, standing in front of the railway police station. Karan was taken aback, a surge of irritation bubbling within him. Why would she stop here? he thought, momentarily assuming she found him annoying. The playful flirtation between them came to an abrupt halt as Karan fell silent, his frustration evident.
Riya sensed the shift in his mood almost immediately. She turned to him, her expression softening as she tried to bridge the gap. “Hey,” she said, a playful lilt in her voice. “What’s wrong? I thought we were having fun!”
Karan glanced at her, his irritation waning as he caught sight of her genuine concern. Her attempt to lighten the mood made him realize that perhaps he had overreacted. She leaned closer, her playful banter breaking through his anger.
“I just wanted to see if you could keep up with me,” she teased, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. “Or maybe you’re just afraid of the police station?”
Karan couldn’t help but chuckle at her lightheartedness. Her playful demeanor began to melt away the remnants of his frustration, and a smile crept back onto his face. “You caught me,” he admitted, feigning defeat. “I guess I’m just worried about you.”
Riya’s laughter was infectious, and Karan found himself drawn back into the moment, the tension of the night slipping away—if only for a little while. But in the back of his mind, he knew the danger was still lurking. Yet as long as he was with Riya, he was determined to protect her and make the most of their time together.
As Karan and Riya enjoyed their playful banter, Riya’s gaze suddenly sharpened. She spotted the railway police emerging from the station and, with unexpected boldness, shouted at the man following them, “Why the hell are you following us?”
Her voice pierced the air, and it caught the attention of a nearby cop, who turned sharply. “Hey! You there!” he shouted, pointing at the man. The goon hesitated for a moment, then quickly backed away, his bravado dissipating under the cop’s authority.
Karan’s heart raced. So that was her plan, he realized, a wave of admiration washing over him. He hadn’t expected such courage from Riya.
The police officer approached them, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. “What are you two doing here at this empty station?” he asked, scanning them both. “Where are you headed?”
To Karan’s surprise, Riya replied without missing a beat, “Sir, we’re going to Kalyan. If you have any doubts, you can check our tickets!” Her voice was steady, confident.
Karan’s stomach dropped. He had a ticket, but Riya didn’t. He admired her daring spirit but felt a pang of anxiety. The officer, unfazed, pulled out his notebook and jotted down their names.
“It’s 1:30 AM,” the officer said, his tone grave. “It’s going to get darker now, and those guys outside are waiting for that. The police station will be closing soon.”
Karan and Riya listened intently, the weight of his words sinking in. The officer continued, “There’s a last local train to Pune coming soon. Get on it. You’ll be safer in the crowd there.”
A sense of relief washed over both of them. “That’s a good idea,” Karan agreed, glancing at Riya, who nodded in agreement.
When the local train arrived, Riya stepped up onto the platform first, and Karan followed closely behind. Just as they reached the middle of the carriage, she stopped, turning back to face him. “This is how you should handle the situation,” she said, a glint of mischief in her eyes.
Karan suddenly felt awkward but also charmed by her confidence. It dawned on him that she had orchestrated the entire scene with the policeman, cleverly turning the tide in their favor. He couldn’t help but admire her resourcefulness, realizing that Riya was not just a damsel in distress but someone who could handle herself, even in dire circumstances.
As the train pulled away, he felt a mix of gratitude and admiration for her. They were headed to Pune, and while danger still lingered in the shadows, Karan knew that with Riya by his side, they would face whatever came next together.
The hum of the train’s engine echoed in the dark, silent carriage as Karan and Riya sat in their seats, watching passengers file out onto the platform. Gradually, the station lights outside faded, and the train’s interior lights clicked off, casting them into shadows. Karan stood up to leave, but before he could step away, Riya caught his hand and gently tugged him back down beside her.
A mischievous grin crept onto his face, thoughts racing. Is she actually holding me back? he wondered, barely able to hide his excitement. But as he turned to her, expecting a playful moment, she leaned close and murmured, “Look out the window.”
Following her gaze, he peered into the dim station and his heart sank. Just as they thought they’d escaped danger, the sight outside told a different story. Instead of just the two men from before, there were now seven or eight figures, scanning each train compartment with hawk-like attention, determined to find them.
They instinctively ducked lower, pressing themselves against the shadows of their seats, hoping to go unnoticed. As they huddled in silence, Karan whispered, “Now what?”
Without missing a beat, Riya responded in a low, steady voice, “Let’s stay on this train—wherever it’s headed.”
Karan shot her a curious glance, but her face held a confidence that calmed his nerves. The train jolted as it began to move again, inching out of the station and toward the carshed.
In the silence that followed, Karan felt the thrill of their unexpected journey and the strange comfort of having Riya beside him, both of them diving into the unknown together.
