Falling In Love With You

Part 17

Avneet stared through the window of the train... The day light was fading away. She was feeling devoid of emotions. She didn't know what was happening around her. All she knew was she has got freedom and will now have to work upon it and hide from the world... 
She wasn't much educated, she didn't know which job she should get herself.

When she finally began trusting someone, her wall of faith was broken even before it was totally built. 
An unwanted movement of people around her and the noise caught her attention. 
"I am saying, I know her! Leave me."
"She needs me, she is probably scared by now!"

A boy around twenties was trying his best to get closer to Avneet's seat, but the train had witnessed the girl almost getting harassed by a boy, so they were doubting to let another young man around her. 
Avneet looked up when her gaze was fallen on the familiar figure. 
The figure she was waiting for... the figure who had saved her... the figure who helped her without expecting a return of favor. 
"S-siddharth!" she squealed.
His hazel pair met with hers. He noticed how her eyes sparkled. They were her tears, but those tears held emotions. 

He could finally make a move towards Avneet. She stood up and hugged him ignoring the stares and the old helpful lady beside her. 
He caressed her hair hugging her back.

He took his seat beside her as the lady had went to the opposite seat by then. 

"So, you are that guy who had given a hope to marry her! Why are you here? Because your men couldn't take her away? And you are planning to repeat the same in the next station?" the old lady remarked. 
 
Siddharth was confused. Who was this lady and why was she invading them?
"I am extreme sorry, but dear aunt do I know you?" he asked. 

"Such an innocent boy awe!" she commented with sarcasm. The people in the bunk weren't giving pleasant looks to him either. 

Avneet didn't find the situation good. She knew the people were trying to help her, but Siddharth was back to her. He isn't the bad guy, is he? 
Her heart supported her positive thought. 

"I am s-sorry to c-cause a scene... B-but he isn't a b-bad guy." Avneet shuttered. 

"Foolish girl!" the lady exclaimed. "He gave you a fake marriage proposal. He will just use you and throw you out of his life. You still have some time, leave him."

Siddharth was still confused but he could sense that the lady was in a misunderstanding. He thought to explain the situation to her but he wanted to know what she would do if he doesn't initiate the explanation. 

"A-aunt, he saved me. H-he saved me from getting h-harassed. I trust him. M-maybe he isn't what you are thinking," she explained. 
He smiled seeing her trying to speak for him. 

"Don't worry aunt, I can never harm her." he added. 
The people were listening to their conversation with their ears open. 

"Then, why did you give her a marriage proposal and left her at the station!" the lady questioned. 

"A-aunt the situation is complicated," she explained. She felt bad as Siddharth was getting accused for no reason.  

"It is my fault indeed that I was too careless to not take care of the time and noticing the train's signal. I pushed her into the train and I went in through the window. I am experienced in these, but she isn't," he paused.

"I came in this bunk to find her but at that moment she wasn't here. So I checked the other bunks and that took me time," he completed. 

The boy looked trustworthy and was appearing to speak the truth. 

Pooooo!
The train blew its horn. The lady got up. 

"I hope you aren't lying. Someone did the same with my nephew, which is giving the marriage proposal and running away with her and turning her life into a mess. I don't want that to happen to anyone else. Girl, I tried helping you, I am not sure about your situation, but I hope he is a good person. " the lady shifted her gaze to Siddharth. 

"If you really don't have any bad intentions, I am sorry for my behavior. Anyways, girl I wish you a happy life." her stoppage had arrived, so she hurried to get off the train. 

The other people in the bunk looked away from Siddharth and Avneet. Some were discussing about the drama they witnessed, some prayed a good life for Avneet, some cringed at them while some minded their own business. 

Siddharth looked at Avneet. The situation was calmed, he could finally talk to her without interruptions. 

"Where were you when I came here to search for you?" he asked.
"M-maybe I was just by the door getting introduced t-to the lady,"she replied gazing the table.

"Why did you look so pale when I came? I will never betray you..."he smiled. "You will just have to trust me and wait a little more if I am late."

She was embarrassed. She doubted him. But, one can't put the blame on her completely. She has always experienced betrayals since her childhood. 

"W-when is our stoppage?" she asked.
"The next one." he replied. 

"And this time, we will not get separated, I promise."
__________________

Getting off the train was better than she expected. She never loosened her grip around his arm while descending down the train. The safely reached the Mumbai station. 
A big smile was plastered on his face. After all, he was visiting his very own city after two and half years.