First Meeting

First Meeting

When Aarav's train stopped at a small station at three in the night, he was greeted by a light shower of rain. The weather was cold and the sky was covered with light clouds. He looked at the clock—it was about to be four in the morning. He slung his bag over his shoulder and came out of the platform. The station was deserted, only a tea vendor was preparing to open his stall.

He took a deep breath and looked at his mobile. There was a message from Sia— "I am in the waiting room of the station, come quickly."

Aarav's heart started beating faster. After months of online conversations, countless video calls, and carefree laughter, today was the day when he was going to meet Sia for the first time.

The waiting room of the station was not very crowded. A girl was sitting in the corner, lost in a book. Looking at her wavy hair, light pink sweater and a calm look on her face, Aarav realized that this was the one he had come to meet.

He moved forward a little hesitantly and said softly, "Siya?"

The girl raised her eyes from the book, there was a strange shine in her eyes. For a few moments, both of them kept looking at each other without blinking. This was the one with whom she shared everything on her mind.

"Aarav?" Siya asked with a light smile.

"Yes, and you Siya?"

Siya nodded. The hesitation of coming face to face for the first time was visible on both their faces.

"It is very cold, shall we go outside?" Aarav said.

Siya nodded, and both of them slowly came out of the station. The light rain had stopped now, but the roads were wet.

In the light pink light of the morning, their first meeting seemed like the completion of an incomplete poem.

Aarav and Siya came out of the station and stood near a tea stall. The hot steam of tea in the mild cold made the atmosphere even more sweet.

"Were you sure I would come?" Aarav asked, taking a sip of tea.

Sia smiled slightly, "Yes, of course. But I was also afraid that you might not recognize me."

"How could I make a mistake in recognizing you? For so many months, your voice and your words echo in my mind."

Sia's eyes became slightly moist. She started staring at her tea cup.

"What happened?" Aarav asked worriedly.

"Nothing," Sia raised her head and tried to smile. "Just this moment... it doesn't seem like reality."

Aarav realized that Sia was also going through the same feeling as he himself. This was the first meeting, but he felt a strange sense of belonging.

"Come, let's go somewhere else," Aarav said. "It's getting cold here."

They headed towards a nearby park. The soft morning light and the dew-soaked grass made the environment even more beautiful. Both of them sat on a bench.

"Aarav, did you ever feel scared that everything might change when we meet?" Sia asked in a low voice.

Aarav looked into her eyes and said, "Absolutely. But I knew that if something changes, it will only be for the better."

Sia bowed her head with a light smile. She had never thought that she would get so deeply attached to someone so soon.

"So what now?" Sia asked.

"Now? Now we will be friends in real life as we were online. And if fate wishes, then..."

Sia interrupted him and said, "So?"

"So maybe this friendship will turn into something more," Aarav said with a light smile.

Sia smiled and for the first time, a new confidence was visible in her eyes instead of hesitation. For both of them, this was not just the first meeting, it was the beginning of a new story.