Pia stood at the bustling train station, surrounded by families embarking on their journeys together. The sight tugged at her heartstrings, and she felt a pang of longing for her own family. Thoughts of her mother, the worry she might be feeling, weighed heavily on her.
With a determined sigh, Pia boarded the train and took her window seat. She watched the families with a sense of nostalgia, missing the warmth of her own. To distract herself from the melancholy, she plugged in her earphones and started to lose herself in the melodies of her music. The rhythmic clatter of the train against the tracks provided the perfect backdrop for her to start writing her next song.
However, on the other side of the aisle, there sat a boy who immediately struck her as strange. He seemed to have an endless stream of conversation with anyone who crossed his path. Pia couldn't help but find his chattiness somewhat annoying and decided to ignore him.
As the hours of the journey passed, the boy, who introduced himself as Kabir, didn't seem deterred by Pia's silence. He was undeniably curious about her, trying repeatedly to initiate a conversation. Pia, however, remained steadfast in her determination to keep to herself.
It was only when the sun dipped below the horizon, and the train's interior was bathed in the soft glow of evening, that Pia's resolve began to waver. She couldn't help but feel a hint of loneliness amidst the chatter of her fellow travelers. She finally acknowledged Kabir's presence and politely informed him that she was too tired to talk and wanted to rest.
But as the night deepened, Pia's sleep was troubled, filled with dreams of her family and the journey she had undertaken. She awoke to find Kabir still awake, and despite her earlier dismissal, he struck up a conversation once more. This time, Pia was more receptive to his presence, her solitude making her realize the value of human connection.
The train made a stop at a small station, and Pia's eyes fell upon a group of beggars huddled together on the platform. They had little more than the clothes on their backs to protect them from the cold night. It was Kabir who showed compassion, offering them food and blankets from his own belongings.
A small smile formed on Pia's lips as she witnessed his kindness. But when Kabir noticed her reaction and approached her, she retreated back to her seat. However, Kabir was undeterred, and the two of them finally introduced themselves. They began chatting about their journeys, their destinations, and the stories of their lives.
As the night wore on, Pia found herself opening up to this stranger in a way she hadn't expected. Kabir's genuine kindness and willingness to help others had touched her heart. It was as if fate had brought them together on this train journey.
By morning, the train had reached Goa. Pia bid farewell to Kabir and disembarked at the station. She booked a cab and made her way to her hotel. After completing the check-in process, Pia entered her room.
Put charge on phone and Overwhelmed by a sudden wave of emotions, she went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The warm water cascading over her was soothing, but it also brought forth a torrent of tears. With each drop of water that fell, Pia found herself blaming herself for leaving her family behind.
She whispered through her sobs, "I'm sorry, Maa. I'm not a good daughter. I love you, and I miss you." The weight of her decision to take this journey alone pressed upon her.
After she had cried her heart out, Pia emerged from the shower, her body and hair still wet. Exhausted, she lay on the bed and quickly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.