Whispers on the Rails

A Journey of Love, One Stop at a Time

The train snaked down the tracks, its rhythmic clatter a soothing melody to weary travellers. Inside, Aisha sat looking out the window as the countryside turned golden in the setting sun. This time the trip home should have been no different to every other, but there was an energy—something seemed to whisper promise in the cool air.

She shifted her focus inward, eyes landing on a young man seated across from her. His features were strong but softened by a contemplative look as his fingers traced the edges of an old book. Their eyes locked for the blink of an eyelid before he turned away, a hint of a smile on his lips.

It was a strange pulling sensation, unspoken familiarity, as though she knew him another time, another place. She paused but said, What are you reading?”

The man looked up, briefly startled, and then gently closed his book. "It’s a collection of poetry. Old words that mean different things every time I read them.”

She smiled. I love poetry. It’s magical, don’t you think?”

Indeed," he replied. In that one sentence, you can take a little piece of them with you.

They sat in a comfortable silence that was interrupted only by the rhythmic hum of the train. Outside, the sky painted itself scarlet and gold, casting soft shadows behind the passengers.

I’m Aisha, by the way,” she added.

Zayan, he said, lightly shaking her hand. "Where are you headed?

Home. And you?

Somewhere in between who I was and who I want to be,” he said cryptically, his smile widening.

Aisha chuckled. "A wanderer, I see.

Zayan nodded. "Aren’t we all? Life is like a train journey — people get on the train, people get off the train, and sometimes, we get lucky and meet someone that makes the ride worthwhile.”

Their talk drifted through poetry, childhood and unfulfilled dreams. There were several hours passed that Aisha didn't even notice, and for every station she passed the more inextricably linked she felt. Ache if an honesty in their words an understanding that required no explanation

As they approached the next station, the train began to decelerate. The young man looked at his watch, his sardonic face coming slightly unfurled. "This is my stop."

Aisha's heart sank unexpectedly. "Oh. It was nice talking to you."

He paused, and then pulled a scrap of paper from his book by ripping it out. He scrawled something quickly and passed it to her. “See you here, same time, same train, next week?”

The note stared back at her, and her heart raced. When she looked up, his eyes hunted hers, wishing and waiting.

Aisha grinned, stuffing the note into her pocket. "I'll be here."

And with that, he was gone, lost in the busy station crowd.

The week passed slowly with anticipation. Now she re-ran their exchange over and over, remember the way his laughter filled the spaces around her, that smile, his eyes crinkling merrily at the corners. It was ridiculous what one random encounter could mean, but she knew she had to see him again.

When the day finally came, she showed up — early, waiting. The train arrived at the platform with a jerk, her chest thumping. The doors opened, and for a brief moment, she thought maybe she had dreamed it all. Then, across a sea of strangers, she spotted him.

When Zayan spotted her, his face lit up. You came.

Sure, she said, trying to suppress a smile.

They fell back into easy conversation, as if no time had passed. Station after station, train after train, they got to know each other better, week after week.

We learnt that Zayan was a writer, his words bringing places to life within the lines of his writing. He fantasized about traveling the world, about finding inspiration in every nook and cranny. “But for now,” he conceded, “this train ride is my greatest adventure.”

Time lost meaning in their hours together — talking about the meaning of life, reading snippets of poetry out loud between train stops, relishing, in silence, of simply being together. They rarely discussed what they were or where this was going; apparently it didn’t matter.

Until one evening, when the train arrived at a familiar station, Zayan’s demeanor changed.

Aisha, there’s something I want to tell you.”

Her heart clenched. "What is it?

He hesitated, then sighed. "I have to leave. For real this time. A job opportunity … elsewhere. “

The train whistle pierced the night, mocking the passing of time. Aisha forced a smile. That’s wonderful. You should go.

Zayan searched her eyes. “I don’t want to leave this… us… behind.

Then don’t." The words spilled out of her mouth before she could catch them. Stay.

For the first time, doubt darkened his look. "I can’t. But I can invite you to come along.