the mystery girl

A Story by vaibhav singhal

It was late night. I was sitting at the last berth of the compartment. The train was going a bit slower than usual. It wasn’t crowded at all which is actually a benefit for me as it’s hard for me to ignore the feeling of claustrophobia. The train then stopped at the station. Three people accompanied with a baggage each get off the compartment. My destination was two stations forth from this one. I’ve got a lot of time to spend in here. Two people get on the compartment and the engine roared again and the train slowly began to move forward, as I sneak out of the window, a moving figure caught my sight. That figure was of a girl running in a hurry to catch the train. There was a small baggage on her shoulder. She ran fast and with a jump she gets on the compartment. She was all exhausted, which I could tell by looking at the sweat she had produced and her respiration rate which has increased quite a lot. She then gets the baggage she had off her shoulder and put it on the floor, and then she sat beside me. Her respiration has decreased. She sat in a comfortable manner. I think I have got a partner for the journey. Now I will at least not get bored, but I am not that good at starting a conversation, I think I will let her do it. We remained silent. I think it’s not going to help. I gave hopes of talking and took out a novel that I carried with me, I began reading it. After some time a soft voice chimed in my ears: - don’t you want to start a conversation.

It’s not like I don’t want to, I mean umm, let’s start with name myself 'Jason Whitlock'.

Myself 'Katherine': - she said with brightness in her eyes.

Surname: - I asked

No I don’t have any surname only 'Katherine': - she replied

Oh! I see well nice name it is: - I complimented

No it isn’t I think Christina is a better name: - she replied

So what are your hobbies: - I asked for changing the topic.

My hobby is writing, I mean stories, poems, quotes: - she replied

On the contrary my hobby is to read them: -I said

So where are you going? : - I asked to continue the conversation

Well I am going to Missouri: - she replied

Missouri! Its winter season, it would be very cold there: - I said to her.

Well it’s my home, that’s where I live: - she replied

But if you were going to Missouri then you should’ve packed warm clothes with you and I don’t think there would be much clothes in that small bag of yours. : - I said to her

Mind your own business I don’t want any suggestions from a stranger. : - she said to me with anger in her eyes.

You are the one who asked for starting a conversation: - I said with attitude in my tone.

But I think I shouldn’t have done it, after all I am the one at fault, I shouldn’t have asked her that much about her clothes. But still why did she became that angry I am sure I haven’t asked that much.

She seemed to be calmed down now.

She then said: - I am sorry in thing I became too angry and sorry for saying what I have said.

No I think I am the one at fault, sorry for my behavior. : - I said apologizing.

If we both have forgiven each other then let’s start the conversation again.

After all I will be bored if I just keep sitting here for a long time.

Ok then so how old are you? : - I asked

I am 19. : - she replied.

Oh really I am also 19. I said

Oh what a coincidence. : - She said

Then the train stopped at the station.

My station has come now I think it’s time to part.

I think I will be bored now. I said to her.

She than put her baggage on her shoulder and then she get off the compartment.

The engine again roared and the train move forward.

Suddenly a man came to me and asked: - if you don’t mind than I will like to ask a question.

You are allowed. : - I said to him.

Are you mad? : - he asked making his distance.

I think I am not. Why do you think so? : - I asked being amused by what I heard.

No nothing it’s just, never mind I was just joking: - he said and then he left.

I began thinking about it, after some time I went to his berth and asked: - seriously why did you think that I am mad.

Well you were talking to yourself a little while ago. : - he said

I was talking to a girl didn’t you see her.: - I asked being surprised

No there was no girl there; you were just talking to yourself. : - he said

I was a bit shaken but I regained my consciousness and said: - maybe you didn’t saw her. I was talking to her I knew she was there.

Suddenly there was some voice coming from the window, I opened it.

There was a figure flying in the air. There was dark that’s why I wasn’t able to saw its face. Suddenly light from a lighthouse fell on that figure.

And a single word forced out of my mouth.

'Katherine'

The figure than said to me: - bye Jason it was nice meeting you.

And then the figure disappeared.