Chapter:1 The girl at platform 7
The rain started the moment Ananya stepped onto Platform 7.
She tightened her grip on her small suitcase and looked around. The railway station was crowded, noisy, and unfamiliar. This city was supposed to be her new beginning. A new job. A new life. A new dream.
But her heart felt heavy.
Just six months ago, she had everything — a loving family, a small house in Mysore, and someone who promised to stay forever.
Forever didn't even last one year.
A loud train horn pulled her back to reality. People rushed past her. In the middle of the chaos, her dupatta slipped from her shoulder and fell to the ground.
Before she could bend to pick it up, someone else did.
"Careful," a deep voice said.
She looked up.
A tall stranger stood in front of her, holding her dupatta carefully as if it was something precious. His eyes were calm, but there was sadness in them too — like he was carrying his own untold story.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"You're new to this city?" he asked.
She nodded.
"So am I," he replied with a small smile.
And just like that, in the middle of rain, noise, and strangers… something changed.
Neither of them knew that this accidental meeting on Platform 7 would slowly become the most important chapter of their lives.
Chapter2: A City of Strangers
The rain didn't stop.
Ananya and the stranger stood under the small tin shelter near Platform 7. Water dripped from the roof edges, forming tiny rivers on the ground.
"I'm Aarav," he said, adjusting his backpack on one shoulder.
"Ananya," she replied.
For a moment, silence stood between them — not awkward, but unfamiliar.
"First day in the city?" he asked.
"Yes. New job," she answered. "I don't even know if I'll manage."
Aarav smiled slightly. "Everyone feels like that on the first day. The city looks big… but it becomes smaller once you find your place."
His words were simple, but something about them felt comforting.
Ananya's phone buzzed. A message from her landlord:
'Room is ready. Come before 9 PM.'
She looked at the time. 8:10 PM.
"Oh no…" she whispered.
"What happened?" Aarav asked.
"My PG is far from here. And I don't know how to go."
Aarav looked outside at the heavy rain. "Come. I'll help you find a cab."
"You don't have to," she said quickly.
"It's fine," he replied calmly. "Strangers today… maybe friends tomorrow."
She didn't know why, but she trusted him.
They ran through the rain toward the exit. For a second, Ananya slipped on the wet floor — but Aarav caught her hand.
Her heart skipped.
Not because he held her hand.
But because she didn't pull it away immediately.
Outside, the city lights shimmered in the rain. Cars moved. People hurried. Life continued.
But for Ananya, something new had begun.
As the cab arrived and she sat inside, she looked at Aarav through the window.
"Will I see you again?" she asked softly.
Aarav smiled.
"This city is smaller than you think."
The cab door closed.
And for the first time in months, Ananya felt a small spark of hope.
Chapter 3: The Message She Wasn't Meant to See
The city lights blurred outside the cab window as Ananya replayed the evening in her mind.
Aarav.
His calm voice.
His reassuring smile.
The way he held her hand.
She didn't even know him properly. Yet, thinking about him made her heart feel lighter.
When she reached her PG, she quickly freshened up and lay down on her small bed. Sleep refused to come.
Just as she closed her eyes, her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She hesitated… then opened the message.
Aarav: "Did you reach safely?"
A small smile appeared on her face.
Ananya: "Yes. Thank you for helping me."
Three dots appeared immediately.
Aarav: "I'm glad. You don't have to feel alone here."
Her heart warmed.
But before she could reply, another message popped up on her screen.
This time… not from him.
It was a forwarded screenshot from an unknown number.
Her hands froze.
The screenshot showed a chat.
Aarav's name at the top.
And a girl's message:
"I miss you. When are you coming back? I'm still waiting."
Below that, Aarav had replied:
"Soon. Just give me some time."
Ananya's heart dropped.
The warmth she felt a minute ago disappeared.
Waiting?
Coming back?
Was she just another temporary person in his life?
Tears filled her eyes before she could stop them.
Her phone buzzed again.
Aarav: "Good night, Ananya."
She stared at the message for a long time.
Her fingers slowly typed…
"Please don't message me again."
She switched off her phone before he could reply.
Across the city, Aarav looked at his screen in confusion.
He didn't understand what had changed in just five minutes.
But sometimes… misunderstandings begin with silence.
And silence can break something that just started
Chapter 4: The Truth Behind the Message
The next morning, Ananya avoided her phone.
But fate had other plans.
When she stepped out of her office building in the evening, she froze.
Aarav was standing near the gate.
He looked tired... and hurt.
"Why?" he asked quietly as she tried to walk past him.
"I saw the messages," she said, her voice trembling. "You don't have to explain."
"Messages?" His eyebrows tightened in confusion.
She showed him the screenshot
He stared at it... then suddenly let out a soft sigh.
"You should have asked me," he said gently.
"Asked what? Who is she?" Ananya's voice cracked.
Aarav looked straight into her eyes.
"She is my sister."
Ananya blinked.
"What?"
"She lives in another city. After our parents passed away, she moved away for studies. She misses home... she misses me. I promised her I'd visit soon."
He paused.
"The 'coming back' she mentioned... was about me visiting her. Not going back to some relationship."
Silence surrounded them.
Ananya felt her chest tighten - not with pain this time, but guilt.
"I thought..." she whispered.
"You thought I was lying?" he finished softly.
Tears rolled down her cheeks. "I'm sorry."
Aarav stepped closer.
"Ananya," he said gently, "if something hurts you... talk to me. Don't decide alone."
Her heart felt heavy again - but now with relief.
"I was scared," she admitted. "I didn't want to be someone's temporary choice."
Aarav's expression softened.
"You're not temporary."
The city lights flickered around them as the evening breeze passed quietly.
For the first time, Ananya understood something important:
Misunderstandings don't break relationships.
Silence does.
And this time... they chose not to stay silent.
"-THE END-"
Thank you for reading this short story. More stories coming soon...