Sunday, 10th March, 00:30.
Train was 1464 kilometres far from Hyderabad Decan, in Uttar Pradesh.

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Ad'ifaah Shafaq was looking out of the window, though she couldn't see anything in midnight except her own faded reflection on the black glass. Reflection which was being mixed with the bushes and trees running in the opposite side.

She rested her right arm on the window panel, only to flinch when the buckle of her brown strapped sonata watch pierced back in her wrist. She had forgotten, she had been wearing the watch since last night when she started her journey.

She took out the buckle tongue from the adjustment hole and kept the watch inside her bag. She caressed her wrist, which now had a red mark according to the parts of the strap. It was a comfortable watch, as comfort matters more than beauty, for her.

Yet, Ad'ifaah needed to realise, no matter how comfortable things or choices seemed, she has to leave them all at some point of time. Without forgetting. She can't stick to them forever. They would become a burden.

Though it seemed very difficult for her, she would take some more time probably. She would have to consider leaving them, first. Which she hadn't, yet. Trying comes later.

She looked around, only to find her fellow travellers busy in talking or using phones. It was past midnight, but all were still awake, obviously because they had taken more than enough sleep in the whole day.

Lights of the compartment were still on, and the curtain of only ladies side was drawn, giving the much needed privacy to the women and letting the two men have interaction with the passer by.

Raihaan being himself, talked with anyone who came across him, from the care taker to the notorious kid of the other compartment, who had the supernatural powers to turn whole train upside down in a little span of time.

They had taken their dinner one and half an hour ago, when the care taker of the coach came to take their orders for dinner. Ad'ifaah had ordered for the simplest and healthiest meal the pantry car provided, though as uninterested as before.

On the other hand, the first thing Raihaan asked for was, Biryani. His love. Though he was disappointed when the care taker said, they could give vegetarian Biryani only. Raihaan had scrunched his long nose and made faces, but then agreed for Matar-Paneer which the old couple had ordered for themselves.

They had their dinner with conversation, with occasional short answers from Ad'ifaah whenever the old couple said something to her.

Currently, Ad'ifaah was reading 'Pride and Prejudice' of Jane Austen which she had bought from an A. H. Wheeler bookstore of Bhopal Junction. She had been wanting to read it since long, but she got an opportunity now. The single thin gold bangle moved to and fro in her left arm, as she turned the pages one by one. She was glad, she found something useful to do with her time.

It was after a few minutes that she felt the need to go to washroom. She has been avoiding to go outside the compartment, since that man had taken place there. She had gone for once only, to freshen up and change her clothes, and that time all were asleep.

As she moved the curtain aside, Raihaan looked up at her, anticipating her next move. He has noticed the small changes in her mood. She didn't look at anything else except the curtains stuck to the head of the lower berth. She held it and pulled along with her as she went forward in the aisle, leaving at the end of the berth. Till the man could understand anything and lay his dirty eyes on her, he was covered.

This was what the real Ad'ifaah Shafaq was. No one should have audacity to do wrong with her or around her. She could never allowe anyone.

Raihaan felt proud of her, unknowingly. Now this was what he had expected from the girl who was too powerful that she pulled him up. He didn't expect her to cry for minutiae, after saying, she's not like a fragile girl. He thought, she could stand for herself.

It was such a small act, nothing huge, but it kind of refilled Ad'ifaah with confidence. It was like she has gotten her lost sword back. She felt she could fight back. Once again.

It also made her wonder, why didn't she behaved like her real self since last forty eight hours?

Two minutes passed after Ad'ifaah was gone. Raihaan was surfing through internet when just like before, the old woman told, that the train had just crossed Agra Cantonment Railway Station.

Something stuck in Raihaan's mind and he ran towards the right side door of the coach. He stood up on the edge of the asile looking forward. He was disappointed when he didn't find anything except a few sources of light at a long distance. It seemed like third or fourth night of the moon, so sky was reasonably dark and didn't have any other shining thing except some stars here and there and they weren't enough to spread light. He forced his eyes to search a dim view at least.

Ad'ifaah came out of washroom, wiping her palms in a handkerchief. She found him hanging on the edge and narrowed her eyes. Another type of craziness?

She went behind him and tried to see what's so interesting is going on outside, from the small gap between his neck and door. There was nothing which she found interesting.

Raihaan turned feeling someone behind him, only to jump lightly and then control himself. He didn't expect her.

"Planning to jump!?" She raised her eyebrows. It was first time when she had said something to him by her own.

He laughed, "I'm no heartbroken Romeo. Was just trying to get a glimpse of someone else's epitome of love!"

"Humm!" She also tried to peek.

"It's very dark. Can't see anything!"

He said as they moved to their compartment. They had just settled when for the first time in whole journey, the Travelling Ticket Examiner decided to show up. He yawned continuously as he matched the names, Adhar Card and the tickets of the old man with the long list in his hand.

Ad'ifaah had already opened her phone to show him the ticket, so did Raihaan.

"Ad'ifaah Shafaq!?" He called out the name and asked for her identity. As she slowly forwarded her hands to give him, she heard,

"Lioness!?" It was a mere whisper which came out from Raihaan's tongue.

Ad'ifaah raised her eyes and found Raihaan looking at her questioningly. She looked away immediately.

"Raihaan Sheikh!?" The Drowsy Ticket Examiner returned her phone and asked the same things to Raihaan, seeming uninterested in anything else except sleeping. Soon, he was gone after the process was done.

Ad'ifaah switched off the lights of the compartment, before he could shoot any questions at her. She didn't want to give any answers to anyone.

Realisation made it's way to Raihaan as he tried to connect the points in his mind. He could deduce a little bit now.

Though, he would not make her uncomfortable!

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☪Eid Mubarak!☪

I wanted to update on the first day of Eid, but got to update on the third day of Eid, as I was busy and not feeling well too!(˘･_･˘)

Keep Smiling!U^ｪ^U