SECRETS OF HEARTS

Peace, Peace is all I want in my life sometimes. At my young age, I’ve seen so many ups and downs. That’s why I’m here, far from my family and friends, just to find peace. As the train clatters through the night, I lose myself in the world outside the window. My gaze fixed on the passing landscape, bathed in the soft glow of the moon.

Everyone else on the train is sleeping, and while looking out the window, I feel a connection with the night. It’s a real moment with myself. A gentle smile stayed on my face, showing the happiness I feel as I get lost in the beautiful view outside.

As we pass a lake, I see my reflection in the water. My dark green eyes shimmered under the moonlight. I had recently cut my hair to shoulder length, and though I had considered dyeing it golden, I decided that my natural black hair suited me perfectly. Adjusting my glasses with my index finger, I gazed at the beauty of nature with clearer vision.

My hair falls onto my face, and I can feel the chill of the wind across my body. I’m wearing a short yellow dress that falls above the knees, and instead of heels or sandals, I’m wearing yellow flip-flops. No makeup, no jewelry, nothing. Just a small silver bracelet with a butterfly charm.

I sit with both hands in my lap, clutching the white lace of my dress to prevent it from flying up and revealing my underwear, especially now that the chilly wind is turning into a storm. It feels like a heavy storm is coming, And with that, all my peace-full thoughts swipe in a second. Seeing this side of nature brings back memories of last night’s incidentI never found an explanation for.

The train suddenly stops, and I feel confused. I wonder why we’ve stopped here, not at a regular station. The train, once noisy with passengers, is now quiet and eerie.

In the middle of my confusion, a big man enters. He’s wearing a black shirt and matching pants. He looks urgent and important. He clears his throat and speaks loudly, “Our boss is outside, and we’re in a hurry. Our car has a puncture. Can he sit here, miss?” He points to the seat in front of me.

Despite my internal fear, I maintained a composed demeanor and responded, ‘This isn’t my seat. Perhaps the rightful passenger missed their train. Do whatever you need to do, just ensure that asshole” His eyes widen and I clear my throat before speaking again “Your boss won’t disturb me.’ Turning away, I focused my attention back on the window, attempting to dismiss the unsettling encounter.

I noticed a hint of tension in the man’s eyes when I casually mentioned his boss. But I didn’t think much about their mission. I just wanted to enjoy the night and the scenery outside. I looked up to see the moon, but it was hidden behind dark clouds. Everything beautiful seemed scary now.

Time skip.

The place, which I was admiring a moment ago, now looks like a cursed place. Slowly, the winds are changing into a heavy storm. The sound of lightning is so loud that it makes the scene scarier.

Then I heard heavy footsteps. I turn in the direction from where the sound of footsteps is coming. The same man whom I met a few minutes ago is now standing in front of me. Then he checks my compartment and the seat in front of me.

He checks everything as if his boss is the president. I want to cuss him and his boss for ruining my peaceful night, but it’s like nature is supporting him, so I choose to stay silent. Then he stands beside me and speaks loudly without looking in my direction, “Everything is clear, now the boss can come inside.”

He’s not speaking directly to his boss, which means there are more men with him. My heart starts beating faster. I can feel the tension in my surroundings. Maybe this boss is not The President, but he’s not less than that. After his announcement, some more men run towards my compartment and stand there, carrying long rifles slung across their chests.

For a moment, my heart stops beating. I see a man in a black suit. He is carrying his jacket with his left hand and has rolled the sleeves of his shirt to his elbows. He’s scrolling something on his iPad. He takes his seat in front of me without looking up from his tablet. After a few seconds, his men leave my compartment.

The silence, which I appreciated a few minutes ago, is now killing me. I hate how I’m staring at him like a ghost, and he didn’t even notice my existence.

The storms outside are now turning into heavy rain, and now it’s coming through my window. Maybe a part of me just wants to stay there and feel the drops of rain, but I can’t do this here, knowing the fact that I only brought 3-4 sets of clothes with me. So, before I get wet, I close the window forcefully, and the sound fills the compartment.

He raises his chin to see me, and our eyes meet. I want to look away first, but his blue eyes are stopping me there.

They

Are

fucking

blue.

Why is it familiar?

His eyes narrow, but he doesn’t show any reaction on his face, and he reverts his attention back to his tablet.

Shit. I should be the one who looks away first, but anyways.

Then, I see with the corner of my eyes when he slides his hand into his pocket and takes out the phone and dials a number. After a few rings, whoever is on the other side picks up the call. He turns his face in my direction with a cold reaction and catches me staring at him.

Again, shit.

I turn my face back to the window and then realize it’s closed.

“Where are you?” he asks in a cold tone to the person on the other side. After a few minutes of pause, he replies in the same tone, “Okay, take care.” I turn my face towards him, and again, our eyes meet. Then, I think I need to find a reason to not stare at him like...a ghost?

So, I take my purse, which is lying beside me, and run my hands through it to find a novel, but there’s none. Then, I stand to find it in my suitcase, which is beside my purse. I take a step towards my suitcase, my back facing him.

I try to find my novel, not holding onto anything for support. Suddenly, the train stops again, this time at its actual station. I attempt to balance myself but fail, falling onto the his lap.

For a second, he doesn’t look at me and sits still, as if it’s his daily routine.

For a moment, I’m frozen, embarrassment flooding my senses. His scent surrounds me, and despite my discomfort, I can’t help but notice how intoxicating it is. It’s a mixture of cologne and something else, something masculine and enticing.

I quickly avert my gaze, cheeks burning with embarrassment. But then, as I realize my position, The dress, usually a source of comfort, now feels too short, too revealing. My legs are exposed, and the thin fabric offers little protection from the cool air of the room.

Summoning my courage, I try to stand. My movements are hesitant and awkward, driven by a desperate need to escape his gaze. But just as I start to rise, I feel his touch on my arm.Fuck

His fingers gently wrap around it, stopping me. The warmth of his hand seeps through my skin, creating a stark contrast to the cold air around us.

I freeze, my breath catching in my throat. His touch is firm yet careful. Before I can process what’s happening, his other hand moves to my waist. His touch is gentle, sending a shiver down my spine. The sensation is both unsettling and oddly comforting, making me feel even more vulnerable.

I turn my face in his direction; he’s close, very close, like if I move an inch, our lips might tou...Shut up sashya.

“Do we know each other?” “Have we met before?” we say at the same time. I shake my head “I don’t think so”. I can feel his warm breath, his cold gaze on me. I want to move, but there’s something stopping me.

He has such an intimidating physique and a handsome face. I am lost in his eyes, and I want to live there for my whole life.

The train starts again, and I come back to reality. What the fuck is wrong with me? Whole life? Really sashya?

I never thought like this for any stranger man in my life. I remove his hand from my waist and stand straight. Then, instead of the novel, I take my phone from my purse and sit in my seat. I dial a number on my phone and hit the call button.