The commuter train jolted and rolled forward, letting a rush of fresh wind mix with the oily, dusty scent of the carriage. A woman sitting opposite me, her eyes bright and lively, kept watching the two youngsters across from her. A soft, approving smile never left her face.
Sometimes you can tell straight away if two people are meant for each other, she said, eyes twinkling. Are you already married, or planning to be?
The young man and the girl, each at opposite ends of a threeseat bench, lifted their heads from the screens of their devices. Their gazes met for a heartbeatconfused, questioning. They werent sure who she meant, and both assumed she was talking about someone else.
Its all so wisely arranged, the woman continued, settling more comfortably opposite them. Two kindred souls, open and sinceresuch a rarity these days!
Her words hung in the air, unanswered. The girl dove back into her smartphone, the boy returned to his tablet, building an invisible wall around himself. Yet the woman seemed unfazed. She made herself comfortable and, without a hint of embarrassment, began to study the pair as if they were museum exhibits, nodding approvingly to herself now and then. Then, as if struck by inspiration, she blurted out:
Your children will be absolute darlings! The girl will be a spitting image of her mother, and the boy
Were not a couple, the girl said quietly, cheeks flushing, and glanced again at the boy. A faint tremor passed over his lips.
Come off it, youre teasing me! the woman replied with a mischievous grin, waving a hand at her. Her smile received no answeronly the serious expression on the girls face. The woman then turned her questioning stare to the young man, who finally put his phone down.
Not together? she asked, searching his eyes for confirmation.
He shook his head silently, shattering her hopeful construction.
Ah, what a pity, she sighed, crossing her arms on her chest, eyes fixed on the grimy window that framed the grey outskirts of the city. Where are you looking? Oh, for heavens sake, look straight ahead!
Had she not spoken that sharp, uncouth line, their encounter might have remained a fleeting glance on a journey. Instead, her tossed words fell like tiny sharp stones into the quiet pool of their detachment. Curiosity, stubborn as a seed, was planted against their will. Neither of them intended to breach the unspoken etiquette of solitary travel, yet the whisper of that curiosity began to outweigh the voice of common sense.
David.
For the fourth time, David scanned the same lines on his tablet, unable to grasp their meaning. His eyes drifted, almost involuntarily, to the stranger sitting beside him.
Looks like she walked straight out of a glossy advert. Not my usual type, but pleasant to watch.
David usually preferred brunetteswomen like his girlfriend Charlotte, with dark hair and honeycolored eyes. He rarely let redhaired women, like this passenger, linger in his thoughts beyond a fleeting curiosity. Yet after the womans blunt remark, the girl occupied his mind.
What an unusual lookdirect, open, with a barely perceptible sparkle of mischief. She flips a stray lock of hair away from her face habitually. Undeniably pretty, and theres a sort of inner glow about her
He hesitated longer than he ought to have, and before he could look away, their eyes met. A brief, embarrassed smile flashed on both faces before they quickly averted their gazes.
Poppy.
Great, a perfect start to the daycommuter train and a bespectacled bearded lad? Why does she think were a pair? As if Id go for someone like that. Im not the sort to think a scruffy beard is fashionable; its just laziness. And honestly, hes too quiet for my taste.
Scrolling endlessly through her social feed, Poppy realized with irritation that the womans words haunted her for the past several minutes. She stole a wary glance at the boy, fearing he might think she was flirting.
Dont let her think Im winking at him!
But the look came back, and a light, almost weightless smile tugged at his lips. Poppy mirrored it without thinking.
His face is rather interesting, his stare sharp and smart. A shame the beard hides his features, she thought. She waited for him to return to his tablet before taking a closer look.
Handsome. Broadshouldered, looks like he works out or at least looks after himself. Probably around twentyseven, maybe an office job, perhaps IT, she mused, watching his hands rest on the device. At that moment
Their gazes locked once more, and this time the smiles were less shy, more deliberate, a hint of genuine interest flickering between them.
The train, having drawn a long sigh, finally pulled into its terminal and flung open its doors. A tide of people surged onto the sunbathed platform. The day was winding down, and every commuter, like a soldier on a brief respite, fought to wrest a few precious minutes from the evening rush. In the crush, tempers frayed, nerves snapped at the slightest stumble.
Amid the chaos, Poppy was swept onto the platform, while David only managed to reach the entrance hall, stuck in the human whirlpool. He rose onto his tiptoes, scanning the colourful crowd for the flash of ginger hair. Poppy, hardly slowing, paced the platform, her heels clicking in rhythm with a foolish, persistent hope: What if I catch him?
Not meant to be, David muttered to himself, inching forward, seeing no sign of the girl hed just met. The thought of a missed connection gnawed at him, perhaps a subconscious attempt to escape the cracks forming in his relationship with Charlotte.
He descended into the dim tunnel of the underground, suddenly sprinted the last fifty metres, and slammed the doors of the departing carriage just in time. She was there.
Hed been stealing glances at her for the past two stops; when she sensed his stare, she lifted her eyes. Their gazes met again, as if old conspirators recognizing each other. He couldnt suppress a grin; she returned a brief nod, a silent acknowledgment of something unspoken.
Poppy.
Ask her why she did it, and she wont answernot out of secrecy, but because she doesnt understand herself either. Why did she alight a stop early? Survival instinct? Or perhaps the sudden clarity of her thoughts? After looping the underground vestibule, making sure no one followed, she stepped back onto the platform.
Stupid! she scolded herself, fiddling with the strap of her bag. The panic now seemed absurd and pathetic.
David.
What an idiot! David berated himself, flinging an imaginary stone at the trash bin. I should have spoken to her! I should have walked out with her! Maybe it was a sign after all, and I chickened out.
He left at his own station, and to drown the bitter taste of a deadended life, he tucked into a tiny café near the tube exit, polishing off hot sandwiches.
And then they met again. He was finishing his last bite when he stepped out, and she, seeing him, froze with her mouth slightly open in surprise.
Are you following me? David asked, a delighted grin breaking across his face.
Me? Follow you? she replied, a hint of hurt in her tone. Will you let me pass? she asked, even though the pavement was empty and wide.
No, he answered, his face alight with a cheeky boyish smile.
Really? her lips curved, washing away any pretence of offense.
They wandered the nightlit streets until dawn, unable to break the spell of that strange, magical connection. Both felt as though theyd found the missing half of a longlost soul. Exhausted and drunk on happiness, they eventually fell asleep in a modest hotel room, phones switched off, the old lives barred from entry.
He didnt go to work the next morning. She skipped her lectures.
When everyone finally understands what happened to us, theyll forgive this sin, David said, wrapping his arm around Poppys shoulders as he signed the register at the local registry office.
I think Ive gone mad, Poppy giggled quietly, looking at their intertwined names on the official form.
Weve both gone a bit loopy, David echoed, his laughter light and freeing.
They said goodbye at the office doors, agreeing to meet again that weekend to continue their madness. Yet within five minutes of parting, both flicked on their phones, and the old worldits debts, obligations, unspoken demandscrashed back into their fragile bubble.
Poppy.
What were you thinking, you fool? What do you even know about him? Who are his parents? Whats his background? I never expected my daughter to be so reckless!
For an hour and a half, Poppy hunched on the sofa as if caught in a schoolyard punishment. She babbled apologies, trying to drown the inner voice echoing her mothers doubts.
What about him? What does he think of you now? Met on a train and straight to the bedroom! her mother huffed, disdain clear.
Mum, we didnt
It doesnt matter! You know nothing about him! Only God knows what he thinks! How will you live with that?
Mum, we were just exhausted and fell asleep
Fool! Simpleton! Did I raise you to be like this? I was with your father for six months before she choked, tears gathering. She sobbed, collapsing onto the sofa beside her daughter.
Poppy wrapped her arms around her, feeling a hard knot form in her own throat.
Dont be like that, she whispered. I know this feels like madness, like a fog.
The statement needs to be collected, her mother snapped, wiping her eyes and smoothing Poppys cheek with a gentle hand. If hes a good man, hell understand and wait.
Maybe we shouldnt rush? We have time to think, to get to know each other
Do you like him? her mother asked, eyes locked on hers.
Poppy looked away.
Just yesterday I probably wouldnt have even noticed him, she admitted.
Thats it! This eclipse will pass, but the consequences will linger! her mother said, hugging her tighter, a bitter tenderness in her voice.
What consequences? Poppy asked.
The kind youll ask the pharmacist about! Change your number and never call him again.
She had to stop thinking about him, yet Davids shy smile and calm gaze haunted her. Not knowing what drove herfear, doubt, or a vague hopeshe slipped off the train of her fate a stop early, clutching a tiny piece of plastic, her SIM card, and tossed it to a passing stranger before hopping onto the next service.
David.
Imagine that! Youve betrayed me! You just hopped on a train and ended up at the registry office! Charlotte, his girlfriend, wailed silently, clutching a clenched fist to her mouth.
I was honest with you. I told you everything, David said, fighting the urge to embrace her, knowing it would only make things worse. You were the first to hear it.
And I should thank you for that? Charlotte snapped, voice raising. What about our year and a half? All those love words? Do you not love me any more?
She stood by the window, leaning on the sill, her posture radiating the familiar, wounded helplessness. David averted his gaze. No, not now, not digging into it, he thought.
What about her? Charlotte pressed, eyes drilling into him. Which stop did you pick her up?
Enough! David cut her off. Shes just a regular girl, a student. We clicked quickly. Its not like usconstant fights and accusations.
Youve known her less than a day! You know nothing! Maybe she just likes hopping trains for fun! What did she buy you?
Stop, David whispered, still afraid to meet her eyes. She didnt buy me anything. It was my choice.
What does she have that I dont? Huh? Charlotte snapped, closing the distance, turning him around. She stood bare, showing the familiar lines of a body once loved. In that instant, the veil of that mad day seemed to lift, and he feared hed made a monstrous mistake.
He found no words. Instead he grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
A blind, desperate passion seized them. They hardly let go, sliding onto a carpet.
Twenty minutes later, lying on the floor, breathing heavily, Charlotte asked, eyes on the ceiling:
Is this goodbye?
Im sorry. Im an idiot, David murmured. He fished his trousers, pulled out his phone, opened the SIM tray, and snapped the tiny plastic in half. Just so it looks like, he muttered, breaking the chip.
A month passed. Both Poppy and David kept thinking of each other, unconsciously testing that bright, fleeting feeling against their grey, everyday lives. Both agreed that night had been perfect, and both blamed themselves for the collapse.
Maybe he could have found me. It isnt that hard. He knows where I study! So he just didnt want to changed his mind, Poppy reflected.
My address was on that form. If I wanted to, I could have found him, David thought.
One day, the date marked on his calendar as his wedding day, David walked past the registry office on a quiet street. Instead of descending into the tube, he strolled along the avenue, slipping into a park.
Ill just have a walk, he told himself. He wandered the paths, watching happy couples surrounded by friends and photographers. Near the registry building, he sat on a bench and found himself in a bustling crowd waiting for newlyweds to exit.
A stranger handed him a packet of rice.
Dont sprinkle it on the bride, shes got a fancy updo, the man joked.
David took the packet automatically. As the doors swung open, the crowd surged. He tore open the corner and poured a handful of rice onto his palm. He was about to toss it when he saw herPoppystanding on the other side of the makeshift aisle, looking straight at him.
He froze, rice still in his hand.
Hey, toss it! the man shouted from the left, and David, on autopilot, shook the packet, showering the passing bride with rice.
Shouts, laughter, and a few annoyed mutters drifted away. David dropped the empty packet, stepped to Poppy, and took her hands.
Sorry, they said together, the words carrying remorse, hope, and promise.
Did you get your passport? David asked quietly.
She nodded, unable to speak. He lifted her gently, carried her up the steps, thanked the stranger with the rice, and entered the building hand in hand with his future wife.
