As the evening lights of Pune began flickering on, Karan Shinde stepped off the crowded bus from Sangli, stretching his legs after a long journey. He checked his watch—it was 6:50 p.m., the city buzzing with the sounds of traffic and people unwinding after a long day. Pune had a certain warmth to it, even in the coolness of the evening, and the air carried a hint of chai and street food, mingling in the bustling bus stand.
But Karan had no time to linger in the allure of the city just yet. His mind was on the next leg of his journey—Kalyan. After a quick inquiry, he learned that the next bus would leave at 11:00 p.m. Sharp as he was, Karan did the math: nearly four hours to kill, and the bus would take a good portion of the night to reach Kalyan. By then, his energy would be drained and his patience likely thin.
With a sigh, he pulled out his phone, checking the train schedule. The train would get him there faster, and he could make use of the time rather than wait around. Decision made, he tucked his phone back into his pocket and adjusted his bag over his shoulder. He gave the bus stand a final glance, taking in the rows of buses, the hum of travelers, and the aroma of hot tea from the nearby stalls.
With a bit of determination and luck, he thought he could make it to the next train, settle into a seat, and let the rhythmic sway of the train carry him the rest of the way.
After deciding his best option, Karan boarded a city bus, weaving through Pune’s evening traffic toward the railway station. The journey took just over half an hour, and by the time he arrived, the lights in the station were bright against the evening sky, illuminating the many passengers milling about with luggage and anticipation.
Once inside, Karan made his way to the ticket counter, where he asked about the next train to Kalyan. The clerk informed him that the next departure was at 11:15 p.m.—still over three hours away. Despite the wait, the train’s speed made it worth it, so he bought his ticket, sliding it into his pocket as he surveyed the bustling station.
With so much time on his hands, he decided to explore. The station, lively as it was, had an energy to it—a blend of travelers from all walks of life, hurrying and waiting, chatting and observing. Karan made his way to Platform No. 1, drawn by the noise and movement.
Three hours was plenty of time to make this wait something memorable, maybe even a little adventurous. As Karan wandered along Platform No. 1, his gaze drifted over the crowd, his mind only half-focused until a brief, surprising detail caught his attention—a fleeting, almost accidental eye contact with someone nearby.
A woman, seated on a bench a few feet away, was enjoying an ice cream, her gaze grazing his with a soft, almost playful look. Karan quickly looked away, pretending to study a timetable display, but curiosity had him stealing another glance. Sure enough, she was watching him again, a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
Was it an illusion? Or was she really looking at him?
His heart beat a little faster as he dared one more look. This time, he met her eyes with a tentative smile of his own. It felt strangely bold, an unspoken exchange suspended over the bustling platform. Karan wasn’t sure what would come next, but he knew that the long wait ahead had suddenly become much more interesting.
He approached casually, settling down beside her. She looked up, caught his eye, and offered a gentle smile. Karan returned it with one of his own, his heart pounding a little faster.
“Hi,” he said, keeping his tone light. “Didn’t expect to see someone here enjoying ice cream alone. Mind if I join?”
She chuckled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “I mean, it’s public property,” she replied with a teasing smile. “So, I guess I don’t own the bench.”
They laughed, their voices blending easily. They exchanged names, hometowns, and a few scattered jokes that seemed to click naturally. She told him about her favorite flavor, and he teased her for having an obvious sweet tooth. For a few moments, it felt like the world was nothing more than the warmth of the sun, the sweetness of the ice cream, and each other’s company.
Then, just as Karan was about to make another quip, his senses prickled. Something felt off. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed three men watching him—one by the fence, one near the trees, and another lingering not far behind him. He kept his face calm but leaned closer to her, his voice low.
“Hey,” he said, a note of urgency barely veiled in his tone. “How about we continue this conversation while walking? Might be nice to stretch a bit, yeah?”
She picked up on the shift immediately, her eyes flickering to his face in understanding. Without a word, she nodded, rising with him. Together, they set off, their footsteps mingling as they walked away from the bench and into the flow of passersby.
They continued talking as they walked, their voices soft and measured. She matched his pace, instinctively keeping close, and he admired how quick she was to catch on.
Karan and Riya strolled along the bustling platform at 8:30 PM, the sounds of the train station swirling around them. The golden hues of the setting sun had given way to the soft glow of overhead lights, casting a warm ambiance that made their smiles even brighter. They chatted and flirted, sharing stories and laughter, each moment feeling like an adventure under the evening sky.
“Did you really think you could beat me at chess?” Karan teased, raising an eyebrow.
Riya laughed, her eyes sparkling. “Only because you were distracted by my charm!”
As they made their way to the bridge that connected the platform to the exit, a sense of excitement tinged the air. But just as they reached the center of the bridge, two men emerged from the shadows, their demeanor aggressive.
“We want to talk with you!” one of the goons sneered, eyeing Karan with a predatory gaze.
Karan’s heart raced, instincts kicking in. He glanced at Riya, who looked unfazed, her grip tightening around his hand.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Riya shouted, “He won’t talk with you!” Her voice rang clear and firm, cutting through the tension like a knife.
Before Karan could react, Riya yanked him, and they both broke into a sprint down the bridge, adrenaline propelling them forward. They dashed off the bridge and onto the platform, weaving past startled commuters. The goons, caught off guard, hesitated for a moment before pursuing them.
“Where are we going?” Karan gasped, his breath quickening.
“Anywhere but here!” Riya replied, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and thrill.
They raced across the platform, their hearts pounding, until they reached the other side where another bridge loomed ahead. With no time to waste, they sprinted up the steps, urgency driving them forward. Karan could feel Riya’s hand in his, steady and determined, as they reached the top of the bridge, glancing back only briefly to see how close the goons were.
Karan and Riya stood on the bridge, catching their breath after their frantic escape. The evening air was thick with tension as Riya turned to him, her expression serious.
“You go down this side of the bridge ladder onto this platform, and I’ll head down the other side,” she said, gesturing to the opposite end. “We’ll meet at the main gate.”
Karan nodded, feeling a mix of determination and concern. They both started walking, gradually separating, the space between them growing. Karan’s heart raced as he moved down the ladder, but he couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
Halfway down, he paused and turned back to check on Riya, wanting to ensure she made it to her ladder safely. To his shock, the two goons suddenly crossed Riya’s path, ignoring her completely as they moved toward Karan.
“We want to talk with you!” one of them said, a menacing smile spreading across his face.
Riya’s eyes widened with shock and fear as she realized the goons were focused on Karan. She felt a rush of anxiety but didn’t dare to make a sound, frozen in place as she watched the scene unfold.
Karan’s heart sank as he faced the goons, feeling the weight of the situation press down on him. He knew he had to protect Riya and himself, but the goons’ presence loomed over them like a dark cloud, making it clear that their escape was far from over.
Karan faced the goons, trying to keep his composure despite the tension in the air. “Okay, come to the side and let’s talk,” he said, his voice calm.
They all moved to the side of the bridge, away from the crowd. One of the goons leaned in closer, a smirk playing on his lips. “The girl you’re talking to is a thief, a bluff,” he said, pointing to the other man. “She took away all his money. Beware of her. Better leave while you still can.”
Karan’s heart sank at the accusation. The revelation hit him like a punch to the gut, leaving him momentarily speechless. Sadness washed over him as he processed the words, unsure of what to believe.
The goon continued, enjoying Karan’s discomfort. “You don’t want to get mixed up with someone like that. Just walk away now, kid. It’s not worth the trouble.”
Karan felt a swirl of emotions—confusion, hurt, and disbelief—but he remained silent, grappling with the implications of what he had just heard. His eyes flicked back to Riya, who stood a short distance away, her expression a mix of fear and defiance. In that moment, Karan knew he had a decision to make, one that could change everything. Click Here For Next Part
