[Edited Version of First Meeting of Ayaan (ML) and Anaya (FL) of my Novel Series
Project-M : Lovely Days Before The Day of Nightmare ]
Ayaan let out a slow breath, trying to relax. He closed his eyes, allowing the soft hum of the train to lull him into a light rest.
But then—
A metallic sound echoed in his ears. Low, almost distant, yet unmistakable. His heart skipped a beat as the pitch of that sound matched his heartbeat, creating a dreadful resonance. A suffocating tightness gripped his chest, his body shivering involuntarily.
His eyes snapped open.
The train wasn’t moving. No—it had stopped. But something was wrong. It wasn’t just stillness; it felt like time itself had frozen.
In front of him, a suffocating crimson glow radiated axe in the darkness. And standing amidst it—
A man.
His figure was engulfed in a bloody aura, a short axe resting in his grip, radiating the same terrifying crimson energy. The man’s face was shadowed, but his intent was clear. He raised his weapon—
And swung it straight for Ayaan’s neck.
Ayaan’s heartbeat pounded violently, his breath ragged as he tried to move—but his body wouldn’t respond.
And then—
A melody.
A soft, enchanting hum pierced through the suffocating dread. The same voice he had heard earlier.
In a blink—his senses returned.
The shadow figure was gone. The train was moving again. His body jerked back to reality, his breath uneven. Without a second thought, he immediately pushed himself up and ran.
He had to find the owner of that voice.
His feet carried him through the narrow aisle, his eyes scanning frantically. And then—he saw them.
A small group of women gathered near the entrance of the next compartment, all clapping and cheering.
"Anaya! The top singer!" someone called out.
Ayaan’s breath hitched.
In the midst of the crowd, standing tall with a poised elegance, was a woman.
At that moment, as if drawn by an unseen force—
Their eyes met.
Anaya stood up, grabbed a water bottle, and walked toward him with a calm smile.
"Are you alright? Please, take a deep breath. Everything will be okay," she said gently, handing him the bottle.
Her voice carried a warmth that eased the tension in the air.
"My name is Anaya. May I know yours?"
Ayaan, who had been lost in his thoughts, froze the moment her voice reached his ears. Something about it struck deep within him, a strange yet undeniable feeling stirring in his heart.
As the train continued its steady journey forward, Ayaan found himself unable to look away from Anaya. There was something about her presence—an effortless warmth, a quiet confidence—that made him feel strangely at ease.
The sound of her voice still lingered in the air, as if the melody of her song hadn’t quite faded yet. She stood there, waiting for his response, her eyes holding a curious glint. It wasn’t just politeness; she truly wanted to know his name.
"Ayaan." He finally spoke, the name rolling off his tongue slower than usual. "Nice to meet you, Anaya."
For a brief moment, neither of them moved. The train rocked gently, the distant chatter of passengers fading into the background. The soft golden light from the setting sun streamed through the window, casting a faint glow on her face.
Anaya smiled again—this time, a little softer. "Nice to meet you too, Ayaan."
The voices of her friends murmuring in excitement barely reached his ears. All he could focus on was the strange, unexpected feeling that had settled deep in his chest.
There were millions of people in the world. Trains carried thousands of passengers every day. And yet, at this exact moment, in this exact place, he had met her.
The train moved forward, but for Ayaan, time seemed to pause.
This was how it all began.
