That was a very long meeting, I said with a sigh, stretching my arms behind my head and

tilting my head left and right. The conference room had been stuffy, filled with the hum

of air conditioning and the dull thrum of fluorescent lights overhead. The walls were

lined with dull gray panels, and the long table in the center was cluttered with papers and

half-empty coffee cups.

"Yeah, I know," came the tired reply from Sam, one of my colleagues and a friend of

mine. "Want to grab a coffee?" he asked, pointing with his thumb toward the nearby

office cafeteria.

Sam and I work in the same corporate office in the finance department. I am a 23-year-

old woman, unmarried, and Sam is also a colleague in the same department. Balancing

the demands of work and personal life can be challenging, but having a friendly face like

Sam’s around makes it a bit easier.

"Yes, please," I replied lazily, standing up from my chair and stretching again. "Before I

fall asleep here."

He chuckled lightly, and we headed to the cafeteria, a small, cozy space just outside our

office. The cafeteria had a warm ambiance with soft lighting and comfortable seating.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of pastries and sandwiches.

The place was a welcome change from the sterile office environment.

I felt a rumbling in my stomach, reminding me of my hunger. I ordered a chocolate latte

with whipped cream and a serving of waffles. The rich, sweet smell of the latte was

comforting. Sam, on the other hand, opted for a cup of black coffee. As we collected our

orders, I could see the garden outside through the large glass windows. The garden was

lush and vibrant, with tall trees swaying gently in the breeze. The sight of the greenery

was soothing after a long day of meetings.

We found a seat by the window, and I sank into the comfortable chair, feeling the tension

slowly ease from my shoulders. I took a sip of my latte, the sweetness and creaminess blending perfectly, and cut a piece of waffle to pop into my mouth. The waffle was light

and crispy, and I savored each bite as I looked out at the serene garden.

"I don’t understand how anyone can drink such bitter coffee," I remarked, making a face

of disgust as I watched Sam take a sip of his black coffee. His expression was one of

calm enjoyment, and it was clear he appreciated the bitterness.

"Actually, you want to try it, don’t you?" he said with a smirk, bringing the coffee close

to my face. The strong, pungent aroma of the coffee made me wince.

"Get lost," I said, turning my head away with a playful grin. I took another bite of waffle,

enjoying the view of the garden. The setting sun cast a golden hue over the trees, creating

a peaceful atmosphere.

Sam smiled as he watched me, but I chose to ignore him, focusing on the tranquil scene

outside. Just as I was beginning to relax, my phone rang, breaking the calm. I glanced at

the screen and saw an unknown number flashing.

"Hey, you go back. I’ll take this call and catch up with you later," I said, answering the

phone. Sam nodded, finished his coffee, and stood up to leave.

I walked towards the washbasin to wash my hands, holding the phone between my face

and neck. The soft hum of the cafeteria and the distant clatter of dishes provided a

background to the conversation.

"Hello, who is this?" I asked, my voice echoing slightly in the quiet space.

"It’s me," came the blunt response. The voice was familiar, and a chill ran down my spine.

I didn’t want to reveal that I recognized it.

"And who is ‘me’?" I asked, pressing the word "me" with irritation, hoping to mask my

recognition.

"I’m Rylan," he said gruffly. The name hit me like a wave, stirring up a storm of

emotions. I knew it was him, but I didn’t want him to know that I still remembered his

voice so clearly.

"Rylan? Which Rylan?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

"I know you remember me, so don’t act like you don’t," he said, his tone sharp and

knowing. His arrogance was infuriating.

"So what? Are you going to give me an award for still remembering you?" I said, my

anger rising.

"I want us to meet," he said, sounding more like he was issuing a command than making

a request.

"Is that an order? Do you still think you have the right to order me around?" I replied, my

voice icy. "Anyway, I’m busy right now, so keep this elsewhere."

I was about to hang up when his voice came through again.

"I guess you don’t want to know the reason we broke up," he said, which only fueled my

frustration.

"I don’t have time for these useless things," I said coldly.

"Come on, don’t act like that," he pushed, trying to provoke me. "I know how much you

were hurt when I left. Don’t you want to know why we broke up?"

His words struck a nerve, pushing me to the edge of my emotions.

"Text me the place and time now. Goodbye," I said in one breath and hung up before he

could say more.

I reassured myself that meeting him wouldn’t be problematic since I no longer had

romantic feelings for him. I had told myself this many times, but deep down, I knew I

could never truly forget him. He would always be my first and last love.

As these thoughts swirled in my mind, memories of our past began to surface. The dark

times of my life, the happy times of my life. A mixture of many emotions and memories

which hold during that time. Which I can never forget in my life.

Back in Veloria, four years ago, I was struggling for freedom while many others were

starting to achieve their dreams. My father was always very strict with me. The place

where I lived was a dangerous one, especially for women. It seemed like every day, there

were news reports about women being assaulted. Instead of holding the men responsible,

the blame was often placed on women, even young girls, just for stepping outside their

homes. It felt like living in a land where freedom was stifled and injustice was rampant.

My father's strict rules only made things worse. The world outside was already a

frightening place, but the rules at home felt like they were suffocating me even more. I

was never allowed to go out with friends. Even a simple outing was forbidden. My use of

mobile phones was heavily restricted; I could barely keep in touch with anyone.

Watching TV was limited to certain hours, and I had to be in bed before 10 PM. I didn't

even have a separate room to call my own. If I needed to use another room alone, I

wasn’t allowed to lock the door. The clothes I could wear were strictly regulated;

sleeveless tops or anything slightly revealing were off-limits.

After completing my 12th grade, I was more determined than ever to chase my dreams. I

had always wanted to become an artist, and my heart was set on studying fine arts. The

idea of creating and expressing myself through art was a beacon of hope amid the stifling

environment at home. I imagined a life where I could paint freely, explore my creativity,

and finally feel alive. But deep down, I knew my parents would never support this choice.

They had always been strict, and their views on my future were rigid.

Despite my best efforts to convince them, their response was exactly what I expected:

they were adamant that I pursue engineering instead. They didn’t see the value in an art

career; they only saw practicality and stability in engineering. I agreed to their wishes,

though it felt like a heavy compromise on my part. It was like settling for a path that

wasn’t truly mine, but one that would keep me from constant conflict at home.

To gain some measure of freedom and carve out a space for myself, I decided to apply to

a college far from home. I hoped that distance would provide a temporary escape from the suffocating rules and give me a chance to breathe. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a

little bit of the freedom I yearned for.

When I was accepted into Eldoria University in Sylveris, it felt like a significant step

forward. Sylveris was a place I had only dreamed of—where I could immerse myself in

studies and potentially explore the art I had always loved, even if I was studying

engineering. The acceptance letter felt like a key to a new life, one that could offer me a

breath of fresh air and the opportunity to slowly reclaim my own space.

However, my father’s reaction was one of utter fury. He was enraged not only because of

my choice of college but also because of the course I had selected—petroleum

engineering. It was a field not commonly pursued by girls, and he saw it as another

rebellion against his authority. His anger was a mix of disappointment and frustration, a

reflection of the control he had always exerted over me. The prospect of attending

Eldoria University felt like a battle won, but the emotional toll of my father’s disapproval

was a heavy weight on my shoulders.

Despite the turmoil, I held on to the hope that Eldoria University would offer me a

chance to breathe and find my own path. I imagined a future where, even within the

constraints of studying engineering, I could find moments of freedom and self-expression.

The dream of a life beyond the walls of my father’s control kept me going, providing a

glimmer of hope in the middle of the challenges.

On the day of my journey, I boarded the train to Eldoria University, feeling a mix of

excitement and nervousness. Shortly after the train began moving, a girl sat down in the

empty seat across from me. She looked like she might be a student too. I usually don’t

talk to strangers, maybe because of how I was raised or just my shy nature.

I sat quietly, staring out the window at the passing scenery. The fields and trees blurred

together as the train picked up speed. The rhythmic clatter of the wheels on the tracks

was somewhat soothing. Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts, the girl spoke up.

"Hi, I’m Lara. And you?"

Her friendly tone was a sharp contrast to my reserved silence. I managed a weak smile

and introduced myself. Lara seemed eager to chat, and her lively energy slowly drew me

out of my shell.

After several stops, a group of music students boarded the train, each carrying

instruments. They were lively and animated. Lara immediately started talking to them,

and soon, they were all chatting, laughing, and playing their instruments together. They

formed a close-knit group, and I felt like an outsider, despite my attempts to join in.

As night fell, the train suddenly came to a stop. The lights flickered, and the comforting

hum of the train was replaced by an unsettling silence. Lara went to ask the conductor

about the delay. When she returned, she told us that there was a problem with the tracks,

and it would take at least two hours to fix.

The music students decided to get off the train to pass the time. Lara turned to me and

said, "Come on, join us!"

I hesitated, feeling a pang of anxiety. The darkness outside seemed overwhelming. But I

didn’t want to be left alone on the train, so I agreed. "

I’ll put on a scarf and come," I said, reaching into my bag and pulling out a scarf. I

wrapped it around my shoulders and stepped off the train.

Outside, it was completely dark, lit only by the dim lights from the train. The area was

surrounded by dense trees and thick foliage, creating a shadowy, almost eerie atmosphere.

The air was cool and damp, adding to the sense of unease. As I walked, every rustle of

leaves and distant noise seemed amplified in the silence.

Suddenly, I spotted a snake slithering on the ground. My heart skipped a beat.

I have a severe fear of snakes, and seeing one left me paralyzed with fear. My legs felt like they were frozen, and sweat began to trickle down my face. I couldn’t move, and my

breaths were shallow. I was bit by a snake once in my childhood after that whenever a snake come in my sight my heart almost drops and with cold sweat forming on my body.

I could not move at all. I feel my head spinning and I would feel like I am about to faint.

Just as I felt like I might collapse, a hand reached out from behind. It gently but firmly

pulled me back. I was spun around and found myself pressed against a solid chest. The

hand that had grabbed me also covered my eyes, while the other arm held me tightly. The

suddenness of it all left me overwhelmed and speechless. My heart raced, and I could

barely process the flood of emotions. The warmth and strength of the embrace were both

comforting and confusing, making me feel safe yet deeply vulnerable.

He let me go once he saw I had calmed down a bit. Without giving me a chance to say

anything, he turned and boarded the train again. I really wanted to thank him for his help.

I quickly ran after him and caught up with him just as he was getting back on the train.

He was wearing a striking red shirt with a black jacket, and he was very tall—almost

towering over me. His presence was striking and somewhat intimidating.

“Thank you,” I started to say, but he cut me off abruptly.

“Have you lost your mind? Why did you stand there like an idiot if you can’t handle

snakes?” he snapped harshly.

“Excuse me?…Look, I appreciate your help, but you don’t have the right to scold me,” I

replied, trying to keep my voice steady, though I felt frustration bubbling up.

“Whatever,” he said dismissively and walked away.

I had to mention that he was incredibly rude. Feeling annoyed, I went back to my seat. To

my surprise, he was in the same compartment as me. He was sitting alone, reading a book,

which was something I also enjoy. I found myself staring at him, intrigued despite my

irritation. Suddenly, he looked up and caught my gaze. Embarrassed, I quickly turned my

head away.

Later, when everyone had returned to the train, Lara asked why I hadn’t joined them. I

made up an excuse about not feeling well, and the train started moving again.

About an hour later, the sky darkened, and it began to rain heavily. I love the rain and had

always wanted to stand in it, but my mother never allowed me to. Now, with my

newfound freedom, I decided to embrace it. I stood near the door, letting the rain drench

me. The cool, refreshing droplets felt invigorating against my skin, despite the chill.

Suddenly, I felt a coat being draped over my shoulders. I turned around and saw it was

the same man who had helped and argued with me before. The coat was warm and dry, a

stark contrast to the rain-soaked clothes I was wearing.

“What—” I started to say, but he cut me off with a sharp tone.

“Do you even have a bit of common sense? Why are you standing in the rain?” he yelled

at me.

Confused and a bit hurt, I glanced around and noticed people nearby were staring at us.

The attention made me feel self-conscious. Although he was helping me, his harsh tone

made me uncomfortable.I mean my clothes are thick so it’s not like my insides are visible.

I am a little cold but the feeling is nice and this guy doesn’t even know me so why is he

behaving like this? What a nosy person.

I have a hard time dealing with people who scold me unfairly, so I snapped back.

“What’s your problem? First, you help me, and then you yell at me. Did you think I

would just stay calm after being scolded, even though you helped me?” I shouted, my

voice echoing in the small space.

“What a great girl… Is this how you thank someone who helped you?” he replied, still

angry.

“Did I ask you to help me?” I retorted, my frustration getting the better of me.

“Right, my bad. I should have left you the way you were,” he said, his voice dripping

with sarcasm.

Realizing I might have overreacted, I felt a pang of guilt. He did help me, so I wanted to

apologize and thank him properly. I went back to my seat, changed into dry clothes, and

took a deep breath to calm myself.

Later, when everyone in my compartment was asleep, I took out some food and ate

quietly. The man had also gone to sleep. I planned to talk to him in the morning and

thank him properly, so I kept his jacket beside me and went to sleep, hoping he would

still be around in the morning.

The next morning, I woke up to find he was gone. A feeling of sadness washed over me.

The rest of the journey felt dull and quiet without his presence.

When we finally reached our destination, I felt a bit disappointed that he hadn’t even had

a chance to say goodbye. At the university, I submitted my application and received my

hostel room number. Unfortunately, Lara and I were not assigned to the same room or

even the same block. But that kind of felt comfortable in a different way for me I don’t

know why.

College will start the next day, and I had a lot of unpacking and decorating to do. By

evening, I had finished setting up my room. I was exhausted, so I took a bath and planned

to take a nap.

The next day, I wore a long red top with blue jeans for my classes. My course had few

girls and many boys. My first period was with Mr. Harper, the physics lecturer. I’ve

never been fond of physics.

For the first few days, everything went smoothly. But every time I glanced at the jacket

from the train, I thought of the man. It was a constant reminder of that strange encounter

and our argument.

A few days later, Mr. Harper collapsed unexpectedly in class. We were informed that he

had overworked himself and needed rest. For the next few days, our first-period classes

were canceled.

Then, we were told that a guest lecturer would replace Mr. Harper. When I saw the guest

lecturer, my mind went blank. It was the same man I had met on the train. The realization left me stunned, and my heart raced as I wondered how this new development would affect my days at the university.