Authors POV

“Sometimes, silence carries the heaviest screams”

Inside a quiet train carriage. Rain taps gently against the windows. The air is still, passengers lost in their own worlds. A young woman sitting by the window. Her clothes are simple, slightly disheveled. Her eyes are empty, staring outside — but not really seeing. A Trainman walks down the aisle, checking tickets. He reaches towards her. She doesn’t move.

Trainman asked softly “Excuse me, Miss… Ticket, please?”

No response. He leans slightly closer, notices her faraway look. Gently touches her shoulder.

Trainman “Miss? Are you alright? Ticket?”

She flinches hard, startled, as if yanked back from a nightmare. Her eyes widen with fear.

She mumbled “I– I don’t have a ticket…”

Trainman gave a gentle smile “That’s okay… You can pay now if you’d like.”

She had nothing, not a single bag. Her hands tremble slightly. All she has is a single engagement ring on her finger. She stares at it — with hatred. Slowly, she pulls it off and holds it out to him.

She said quietly “Take it. It’s all I have. It should cover it…”

The Trainman pauses. Looks at the ring, then at her bruised wrist barely hidden under her sleeve. Understanding begins to show in his eyes.

Trainman said softly “No, no. Keep it. That’s not something you pay with.”

She said in a cold tone “It’s not worth keeping.”

Trainman said after a beat “Maybe not to you. But that doesn’t mean you should lose more than you already have.

He slips the ring gently back into her palm, then takes out his own wallet and pays for her ticket without a word.

Her voice was barely audible “Why are you being kind?”

Trainman smiles faintly “Because… sometimes, one kind moment can remind someone they’re still human.”

He gives her a small nod, walks away. She stares at the ring again, but this time… there’s hesitation. Her eyes shimmer, not with hope — but something close. Maybe the beginning of it.

Sound of the train starting. A soft rumble under her feet. She looks outside… then closes her eyes… and memory pulls her under, like waves pulling her into the ocean. Slowly, her brain begins to blur and fade into a memory.

Flashback – A beautifully decorated wedding hall. Dim fairy lights. Soft music in the background.
Song playing: “Ek Din Aap”

Soft yellow lights hang from the ceiling. The rooftop is decorated with red and white flowers. She is laughing. Genuinely. A Bluetooth speaker clicks on. The first few notes of a song begin to play. Her husband, holds her hand. Her eyes sparkle as she dances, in a red Bridal dress. They’re dancing slowly, sweetly — like no one else exists.

🎶 “Ek din aap yoon hamko mil jaayenge...” 🎶

She looks surprised. He grins, offers his hand.
“Dance with me, Mrs. …..?”

She laughs. Takes his hand. They begin to sway slowly, barefoot, smiling like teenagers in love. Their bodies move in rhythm with the music, eyes locked.

He whispered in her ear “I told you… You’d look the most beautiful in red.”

She smiles shyly “And you… You’re not so bad yourself.”

🎶 “Phool hee phool raahoon mein khil jaayenge…”
He twirls her once — her dupatta spins around her. She falls back into his arms, both laughing softly.

🎶 “Maine sochaa naa tha…”

Guests clap from a distance. Fairy lights flicker as the wind brushes past. The camera circles them — it feels like time has stopped.

🎶 “Ek din zindagi itanee hogee haseen
Jhoomegaa aasamaan, gaaegi ye zameen…”

She whispers “You really planned all this?”

He said lovingly “I planned… forever.”

🎶 “Dil kee daali pe kaliyaan see khilne lageen
Jab nigaahen nigaahon se milne lageen…”

He leans his forehead against hers. They both close their eyes. Her hands on his chest, his wrapped around her waist.

🎶 “Ek din is tarah hosh kho jaayenge
Paas aaye to madahosh ho jaayenge…”

Lights fade in the background — only they are left in focus. A moment suspended in dream.

The song continues as they spin again slowly, laughing, cheeks touching.

🎶 “Jagamagaati huee jaagti raat hai
Raat he yaa sitaron kii baraat he…”

He kisses her hand. She blushes, resting her head on his shoulder. They sway.

🎶 “Ek din dil kee raahoon mein apne liye
Jal uthenge muhabbat ke itane die…”

Final notes echo as they stop dancing, leaning into each other. Guests clap gently again. She looks up at him.

She said softly “Don’t ever change…”

He smiled and said “Why would I? You’re all I need.”

She had believed in this moment. In the way he looked at her — like she was the beginning of his world. And maybe… she was. For a while.

The memory fades to black. Song fades out slowly…
🎶 “Maine sochaa naa tha…”

Memory shifts – kitchen scene, weeks later.

She is laughing again, cooking something on the stove. he enters, hugs her from behind.

He said lovingly “Smells like heaven.”

She smiled sweetly “Because I’m making your favorite today.”

“Everything you touch turns into my favorite.”

(They kiss. It seems perfect. Too perfect.)

Scene turn darken…. Same kitchen. But the vibe is different.

He storms in, slams the door. She stands frozen. “Who were you laughing with?”

She said confusedly “It was just Angad, your friend! He was showing me memes, nothing else. And even he showed m……”

He cut her off in between and shouted “Oh, now you’re laughing with my friends too? Are you that desperate for attention?”

(He grabs her arm. Hard. Her expression shatters.)

She was shaking “…… you’re hurting me…”

He said coldly “Maybe that’s what you need.”

Back to present — Train. She gasps softly and opens her eyes. She’s sweating, her hands clenched. She looks around, unsure for a moment where she is. Then… slowly, reality sets back in. She’s safe. In motion. Away. A single tear falls down her cheek. She wipes it away quickly, breathing out. The train continues to move. She stares at the ring in her hand again — that shining, cruel reminder. She looks at it. This time, she whispers — almost to herself: “But you did change. I don’t know why I kept you for so long.”

She opens the window slightly and holds the ring out… considers it… but doesn’t throw it. Not yet.

She didn’t know where she was going.
But for the first time… she knew she wasn’t running anymore.