[Clock ticking softly. The hands inch toward 4:00 a.m.]
Dring, dring, dring!
Ariyan groaned, burying his face into the bed as the alarm blared mercilessly.
"Ugh… morning already?"
He rubbed his eyes and looked around the room, still shrouded in shadows. After a few seconds of half-hearted contemplation, he dragged himself up. Stumbling to the mirror, he splashed water on his face and reached for his toothbrush.
Dragging himself to the mirror, he stared at his reflection. "Let's get this over with," he muttered. With a flick, he turned on the music. The upbeat rhythm seeped into his veins, and soon enough, he found himself moving to the beat as he went about his morning routine—brushing his teeth, taking a quick shower, and whipping up a simple breakfast. By the time he slung his bag over his shoulder, he felt more awake, ready to face the world.
With everything in hand, Ariyan stepped outside, locking the door behind him. The crisp morning air greeted him, carrying a faint mist.
The world outside was still cloaked in the fading remnants of night. Darkness lingered in the corners of the sky, but the promise of dawn teased at the horizon. Ariyan took a deep breath, watching the faint mist of his breath dissipate into the cool air.
"Let's do it," he whispered, a flicker of determination crossing his face.
He began walking down the quiet street. It wasn't that he didn't have transportation—his car and bike sat unused at home. But walking, especially in the early hours, felt like a ritual, a way to clear his mind.
A few minutes later, headlights broke through the gloom. A car approached, and he raised his hand, signaling for a lift. To his luck, the vehicle slowed to a stop. As he got closer, a familiar face appeared behind the wheel.
"Ms. Theena!" he greeted with a sheepish smile.
Theena rolled down the window and gave him a wry look. "You again? Tell me, Ariyan, do you have a personal vendetta against your own bike and car?"
"Not at all," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "I just like walking... until I don't."
She sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Get in before I regret it."
Ariyan opened the door and slid in, fastening his seatbelt.
"Good morning, Ms. Theena," he said cheerfully.
"Good morning," she replied.
From the backseat, a voice piped up. "Lost again, Mr. Brother Uncle?"
Ariyan turned to see Anaya peeking at him from behind her book, a sly grin on her face.
He chuckled, leaning back to tug at her cheek. "That's not my name, Anaya."
She giggled. "It is now!"
Theena glanced at them through the rearview mirror. "Don't encourage her, Ariyan. You'll only make it worse."
"I think we've already crossed that bridge," he joked. Then, turning to Anaya, he added, "Anyway, how's school? I hear exams are around the corner."
Anaya groaned dramatically, slumping in her seat. "Ugh, don't remind me! I already have enough to stress about."
Ariyan smirked. "By the way, do you know what tomorrow is?"
She frowned, tilting her head. "Saturday?"
He gasped theatrically. "Saturday? Is that all tomorrow is to you? How could you forget such a momentous occasion?"
She act blinked in confusion.
"Tomorrow," he said, leaning closer with a teasing grin, "is the anniversary of the day a truly extraordinary girl was born—a girl so beautiful, so clever, so utterly charming that the world itself seemed brighter."
Theena Shad with exaggeration, "Again, Because of you she has gone to her head—Don't spoiled her"
Anaya froze, her face heating up. Wait… does he mean me? Her thoughts spiraled. Whaaa… beautiful? Clever? Charming? He's talking about me, right? Right?!
Her imagination ran wild, conjuring images of a dramatic confession, complete with flowers and moonlit vows. Don't you worry Mr Ariyan our honeymoon will be written in ancient history.
Snapping out of it, she sat up straight, putting on her best poker face. "Well, of course, you'd remember something so important," she said haughtily. "This year, I expect something special."
"Special?" Ariyan repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Like… a notebook? Or maybe a shiny new pen for exams?"
She groaned, slumping again. "You're impossible!"
Before she could retort, Theena spoke up. "We're here—station."
Ariyan glanced outside. "Oh, right. Thanks for the ride, Ms. Theena."
He opened the door, stepping out into the chilly air. With a wave, he slung his bag over his shoulder and started walking toward the station, a small smile on his lips.
"Special, huh?" he muttered to himself. "Guess I'll have to come up with something good this time."
Ariyan walked into the busy train station, the cool morning air filled with the scent of chai and snacks from nearby stalls. People hurried past him in every direction, their voices blending with the loudspeaker announcements and the rumble of trains. He adjusted his bag, heading straight for the ticket counter.
After buying his ticket, he glanced at his phone to check the train schedule. His train, the Silver Dawn Express, was set to leave soon. The sound of an arriving train echoed through the station as he made his way to the platform.
The train pulled in with a low rumble, and Ariyan boarded quickly, finding his window seat. The whistle blew, and with a gentle jolt, the train started moving.
Ariyan leaned back, resting his head against the window. Outside, the world looked peaceful. The train passed green fields where farmers worked and cattle grazed. Small villages appeared and disappeared, with children playing and smoke rising from chimneys. The train crossed over a bridge, the river below sparkling in the morning sunlight.
He watched the mountains in the distance grow closer, their tall peaks reaching up to the sky. Fields and rivers gave way to towns and roads, the scenery changing as the train moved toward the city.
Hours later, the train slowed as it approached the city station. Ariyan grabbed his bag and stepped off into the crowd. The platform was noisy, filled with people moving in every direction, the scent of roasted peanuts and fried snacks lingering in the air.
Outside, Ariyan caught a bus heading to his college. The ride was short but lively, the bus filled with chattering students and tired commuters. The streets were bustling with life—markets, tall buildings, and colorful billboards zipped past the windows.
Finally, the bus stopped near the college gate. Ariyan stepped off, taking a moment to look around. The campus was large, with a mix of modern glass buildings and older brick ones covered in green vines. Groups of students were walking around, laughing and talking.
He adjusted the strap of his bag and smiled to himself. "Alright, time to start the day," he said softly, stepping forward.