INFINITE EMOTIONS, ENDLESS SILENCE

Beginning Of Us

-SECOND DAY-

The next day dawned, and Avni tackled her work with uncharacteristic speed, driven by her determination to catch the bus on time. Her chronic lateness was a habitual nemesis, but today, she was resolute. However, stress had an unusual effect on Avni - it made her drowsy, and she often succumbed to long, rejuvenating naps.

As she rushed to the bus stop, her heart racing with anticipation, the grey sky above seemed to mirror her mood. The air was heavy with the promise of rain, but Avni's excitement eclipsed any concern. She had one goal: to find the young stranger again.

The bus rumbled to a stop, and Avni squeezed aboard, managing to snag a spot near the door. As she steadied herself, her eyes scanned the crowded interior, searching for a glimpse of the familiar figure. And then, she saw him - sitting at the back, his loose-fitting T-shirt and baggy jeans a relaxed contrast to his intent expression. His glasses perched on the end of his nose, and his nose was buried in a book, just as it had been the day before.

As the bus rumbled on, Avni's eyes remained fixed on the young stranger, drinking in every detail. His absorbed expression, his semi-curly hair, and the gentle turn of his pages all captivated her. Time stood still as she admired him, her heart beating to a different rhythm.

As the bus approached her stop, the stranger closed his book and rose, joining the flow of passengers toward the door. Avni's pulse quickened; she didn't want to be noticed, not yet. She hid her face, pretending to rummage through her bag, watching him through veiled eyes.

She waited until he stepped off the bus before following, her heart pounding in her chest. She quickened her pace to match his, her heels clicking on the pavement. But fate seemed determined to keep them apart; Avni's haste wasn't enough, and the stranger vanished into the crowded streets.

Disappointment washed over her, but Avni took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She wouldn't let a missed opportunity define her day. With renewed determination, she headed toward her office.

-THIRD DAY-

Avni's anticipation propelled her to finish her work at lightning speed. She dashed to the bus stop, her eyes darting to her watch repeatedly, anxious not to miss him again. The bus was late, and Avni's impatience grew with each passing moment. She tapped her foot impatiently, her gaze fixed on the horizon, willing the bus to appear.

Finally, the bus rumbled into view, and Avni squeezed aboard, securing a spot near the door. As she steadied herself, her eyes scanned the crowded interior, searching for the familiar figure. And then, she spotted him - standing farther away, his nose still buried in that book.

"Is that book so captivating it's holding him hostage?" Avni wondered, a hint of amusement dancing in her mind. She admired his dedication, but a part of her longed to break the spell.

Today, Avni devised a new plan. She would exit the bus first, then wait to see if he would follow. But as the bus approached her stop, Avni's heart sank. She stepped off, scanning the surrounding crowd, but the stranger didn't emerge.

Just as she was about to give up, Avni caught a glimpse of him slipping out the back door, vanishing into the throng. Disappointment washed over her, a familiar ache she couldn't shake.

With a deep breath, Avni headed toward her office, her thoughts consumed by the elusive stranger. Why did he always seem to slip away?

-FOURTH DAY-

Avni sped through her work, her focus solely on catching the bus. She rushed to the stop, her heart racing with anticipation. The bus was late, as usual, but the soft rain created a soothing melody, calming her nerves.

As the bus arrived, Avni squeezed aboard, her eyes scanning the crowded interior. Fate smiled upon her; she secured a seat, but her view of the stranger was obstructed. Without hesitation, she offered her seat to a standing passenger, opting to stand herself.

Now, with an unobstructed view, Avni's gaze locked onto the young stranger, seated at the back. His handsome features were still captivating, but his nose remained buried in that book. Avni's admiration knew no bounds; she was entranced by his focus.

As the bus approached her stop, Avni's strategy remained the same: exit first, and hopefully, he'd follow. But fate had other plans. She stepped off, scanning the crowd, only to see him disappear through the back door once more.

Disappointment washed over Avni, a familiar ache she couldn't shake. She wondered if she'd ever break through his literary cocoon. Yet, her determination remained unwavering. She'd find a way to connect with him, to uncover the secrets behind his bookish façade.

With a deep breath, Avni headed to her office, her thoughts consumed by the elusive stranger. The rain continued to fall, a gentle reminder that some mysteries were worth unraveling.

-FIFTH DAY-

Monday morning dawned, and Avni's excitement was palpable. She had missed her mysterious stranger on Sunday, and the anticipation had been building up. She got ready in record time, her heart racing with the possibility of seeing him again.

As she reached the bus stop, the crisp, rain-free air invigorated her. The bus arrived, and Avni stepped in, her eyes scanning the crowded interior. But her stranger was nowhere to be found. She searched every row, her disappointment growing with each passing moment.

Just as she turned to lean against the pole, her back to the crowd, she felt a jolt. He was standing right behind her. Avni's heart skipped a beat as she spun back around, her face hidden behind her hair, hoping to avoid detection.

Confusion gripped her. What to do? How to react? She didn't dare turn around, but her curiosity got the better of her. She slowly turned, trying not to draw attention, and caught a glimpse of the book's cover: "Life of Pi". She swiftly turned back, her mind racing.

As the bus approached her stop, the stranger vanished into the crowd once more, leaving Avni with more questions than answers.

The day dragged on, with her boss's shouts and workload taking a toll. But Avni's mind kept wandering back to the stranger and his book. On her way home, she decided to visit the bookstore, searching for " Unspoken words". The storekeeper handed her a copy, and Avni felt a thrill of excitement.

As she settled onto her bed, she gazed at the book, her fingers tracing the cover. She wasn't an avid reader, but something about this book drew her in. She placed it in her purse, feeling an inexplicable connection to the stranger.

For a month, Avni's daily bus rides became a treasured ritual, with fleeting glimpses of the stranger her sole source of joy. His brief appearances tantalized her, leaving her with a lingering sense of wonder. The book, "Unspoken words", remained a constant companion, unopened but cherished.

Yet, amidst the thrill of admiration, a nagging doubt crept in, "What am I doing?" she'd ask herself.

-AFTER A MONTH-

Avni's frantic dash to the bus stop ended in disappointment as the bus pulled away, leaving her mere seconds too late. The gentle rain, a soothing melody, did little to calm her frustration. She slumped onto the bench, defeated, her gaze fixed on her sandals.

A presence settled at the other end of the bench, but Avni's attention remained on her footwear, her mind replaying the missed bus. Time ticked on, her work schedule beckoning. With a deep breath, she turned to scan the road for the next bus.

And then, her heart skipped a beat.

The person beside her was none other than the young stranger. Shockwaves coursed through her veins as their eyes met. Avni's hands instinctively smoothed her hair, ensuring she wasn't disheveled. Her compact mirror revealed a relieved reflection.

He, too, was late today. The coincidence struck her like a spark. Avni's confusion wrestled with curiosity, her eyes darting between the road and the stranger. She chose to sit calm, yet stole glances at him, her side-eye drinking in his tranquil demeanor.

Avni's mind was a whirlwind of indecision, her thoughts tangled in a web of uncertainty. 'Should I approach the stranger, the one who had captivated me for weeks? No, that would be too forward, too weird.' She was lost in her thoughts when suddenly, a man appeared out of nowhere, his eyes fixed intently on her.

He grasped her hand, his grip like a vice. "Why are you here? Let's go!" he shouted, his voice sending shivers down her spine. Avni's confusion turned to fear as she tried to shake off his grip. "Excuse me, what?"

The young stranger, her mysterious bus friend, stepped in, his eyes locked on the scene unfolding before him. "What happened? Do you know him?" he asked, his voice calm but firm, as he positioned himself between Avni and her assailant.

Avni shook her head, her voice trembling. "No, I don't know him. He's pulling my hand." The man's grip tightened, his nails digging into her skin like talons.

The young stranger's eyes narrowed. "Let her go," he commanded, his tone brooking no argument. The man resisted, his face twisted in a snarl.

As the scene escalated, Avni's fear turned to panic. The man's words became a cacophony of hatred, his eyes blazing with a madness that made her blood run cold. "You don't listen to me!" he shouted, pulling her hand with a force that made her stumble.

The young stranger intervened, his movements swift and decisive. He pried the man's fingers off Avni's hand, revealing a trail of blood where his nails had torn into her skin. Passersby rushed to restrain the man, revealing his dark past: a history of abuse, a lost wife, and a shattered mind.

Avni slumped onto the bench, her mind reeling from the chaos. Flashbacks haunted her, memories she thought were long buried. The young stranger's gentle voice pierced her trance. "Are you ok?" he asked, offering his water bottle, concern etched on his face.

Avni's voice barely whispered, "Thank you." She sipped the water, her eyes locked on his, gratitude swelling within her.

The young stranger's gaze fell on her bleeding hand. "We need to see a doctor. Infection can spread." Avni's numbness began to fade, replaced by a sense of safety in his presence.

As the young stranger tenderly wrapped his handkerchief around Avni's wounded hand, stemming the flow of blood, she couldn't help but ponder their unexpected encounter. "Is this really how we were meant to meet?" she thought, her eyes drifting to her mysterious rescuer.

At the nearby clinic, he carefully explained the events to the doctor, his voice laced with concern. As the doctor began to bandage Avni's hand, his eyes never left hers, his gaze softening.

"Slowly, please," he urged the doctor, his voice firm but gentle. "It will hurt; the cut is deep."

The doctor's brusque demeanor softened slightly under his calm gaze.

As they sat together, the doctor asked, "What's your name?"

"I'm Ayush," he replied.

Avni's eyes widened, her mind echoing his name. Ayush... Her rescuer, her guardian angel.

The doctor turned to her, "I asked the patient's name."

Ayush's face flushed with a hint of embarrassment, but his composure remained intact.

"Avni," she replied to the doctor, her voice clear and confident.

The doctor nodded, scribbling notes on her prescription. "Take these as directed, Avni. You will be fine in a few days."

As they walked out of the clinic, Avni turned to Ayush with a warm smile. "Thank you once again for your help. I really appreciate it."

Ayush's eyes softened, his expression gentle. "No, it's okay. I'm just glad I was there."

He paused, a hint of formality creeping into his tone. "By the way, I'm Ayush."

Avni's smile deepened, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh, I'm Avni," she replied, her voice light and playful.

Ayush's face flushed with a subtle embarrassment, remembering his earlier mistake. He had introduced himself instead of letting Avni share her name. But Avni's graciousness put him at ease, her smile suggesting she hadn't noticed his faux pas.

As they chatted, the bus whizzed by, leaving them both running late. Avni's eyes sparkled with excitement, her voice tinged with feigned nonchalance. "You also take this bus?"

Ayush nodded, his expression relaxed. "Yeah, my college is near Marine line station."

Avni's heart skipped a beat. What a coincidence! Her office was also near Marine Drive. She blurted out, her words tumbling forth, "Even my office is near Marine Drive! But I've never seen you on this route."

Ayush's eyebrows furrowed, mild confusion etched on his face. Avni's cheeks flushed, realizing her mistake. She had revealed too much.

As they stood at the bus stop, the gentle rain casting a misty veil around them, Ayush leaned against a lamppost, his eyes locked onto Avni's. He thought to himself, 'She must have noticed me before, maybe on this very route.'

Avni, however, was a whirlwind of emotions. Inside, she was ecstatic, but she didn't want to admit it. Their chance encounter felt like fate, yet she wished it had happened differently.