The train lazily stretched away from the station. Sitting by the window, Nisha rested her head against the glass wistfully gazing at the vendors on the platform selling teas and savories- their voices diminishing as the steady clack-clack of the wheels hummed louder. Gently swaying in a rhythmic motion, her eyes traced the blur of sprawling fields and sleepy huts. The sun sank like molten gold beyond the distant hills bleeding crimson hues across the sky.

She checked her phone one more time in anticipation, only to be drowned in desperation. What did she think? That Amit would have a change of heart and text her? She berated herself for being so hopelessly in love even after the heart-wrenching argument that had broken her heart and their five-year-old love into smithereens. Warm tears pooled in her eyes as she shut them tight like pearls entrapped within an oyster shell.

Soon, she drifted to sleep. The train came to a screechy halt. It was almost 6AM when she blinked her eyes open to see a tall, young man in olive green uniform sit on the opposite window seat.

“Are you from the Indian army?” A curious fellow passenger quizzed.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Major?” She tried reading his name tag.

“Captain Vedant Nair.”

She offered him biscuits. “We are very proud of you, young man.”

“You too have some, beta,” she offered them to Nisha.

As she stretched her hand to grab them, her sleeve raised and a faint, pinkish scar across the inside of her wrist revealed itself. She shot a glance at Vedant who didn’t seem to notice.

“Are you going back home?” The woman enquired.

“Yes. After a long time,” he smiled. A dimple bore deep on his left cheek.

“And you, ma’am?” He returned the question.

“I’m visiting my in-laws.”

“And you?” He turned his gaze to Nisha. “Doesn’t look like you’re going home.” He asked trying to decipher her distress.

“Right,” she replied. “Just taking a break… from everything.”

He just nodded as if he could fathom her words. Soon, the woman alighted. Another hour passed in silence. The train chugged along the rolling green fields dotted with grazing cattle and shimmering streams. A strange sense of tranquility washed over Nisha’s mind. Vedant didn’t try to fill the silence with meaningless words. She felt at ease in his presence.

A tea vendor came by, and he ordered two cups. Passing one to Nisha, he said, “tea helps. Especially when you feel like falling in a deep chasm.”

“Is it that obvious?" Nisha asked.

“To those who have gone through it.”

“You too… had a heartbreak?”

“Hmmm… by heartbreak if you mean because of love affair, then no. But if it’s due to losing a loved one, then yes.” His voice choked.

Nisha looked intently.

“Akash was my best buddy. After our training at the Officers’ Training Academy, we were posted to the same regiment. He was my brother. My partner in crime. We had planned to retire together and live as neighbors somewhere in the hills. But a terror attack ended it all. He died in my arms…”

Nisha wished to hold his hand but refrained. The man in uniform- an epitome of resilience and valor bared his soul in a vulnerable moment.

“Life moves on, like this train. You have only one destination. The rest are fleeting layovers. You can’t lose yourself in the expedition.”

His words hit her on the right spot. Hadn’t she sacrificed her wishes and tried to fit in Amit’s society and in the process lose her own friends? With him gone, she was non-existent to the world.

She looked in admiration at the man who had faced real loss, yet shared kind words with a lonely soul who desperately needed to hear them. The conversation soon shifted to his adventures and Nisha excitedly listened to him. She too talked about her hobbies, funny pranks and office woes. For the first time in months, she seemed to forget her sorrow.

As her station arrived, with a heavy heart she passed a note with her mobile number.

“I hope this destination turns out to be a new beginning, not an end.” His warm, genuine smile compelled her to hug him.

And then he was gone. Waving at him, she smiled thinking about the girl on the train who met a soldier with a weary soul but kind heart. Would they meet again? Only time would tell.