Where Words Are Not Enough

Hannah glanced anxiously at her watch. It was 11.54 p.m. and the night train for Bangalore was leaving in 6 minutes. She peered along the dimly-lit platform, searching for familiar figure in faded jeans, carrying a well-worn rucksack. But the station was deserted, apart from a tired looking porter shuffling around aimlessly and smoking a cigarette. She thought back to there conversation earlier that day, perhaps he'd been serious after all? They'd argued many times during the 3-month trip and he'd often gone off on his own to 'cool off'. But then he'd always turn up later and they'd sort out there differences. Hannah fingered her ticket nervously. She didn't want to leave without Peter.

She started walking towards the train with the ticket in one hand and the handbag in the other. She was constantly thinking about Peter when she heard the familiar voice "Hold my bag Hannah, I will bring something to eat for the journey."

Hannah was stunned to see the "very expected" figure in faded jeans, Peter. She was in doldrums now. On one side she was happy to see Peter there but on the other her typical girlish thoughts wanted more confirmations from the opposite sex.

Girls love to see "there guy" indicating to her a zillion times that he actually cares for her. Hannah was no different. While she was still in the process to take the crucial decision, she saw Peter walking towards the coffee stall with his bag hanging on Hannah's shoulder.

Hannah could feel much lighter with the way things were proceeding. Still she kept the angry looking expression on her face, searched for her pre-reserved seat, kept her and Peter's luggage safely and seated herself with the face towards the window still observing Peter. While Peter was busy collecting eatables like there would be no end to the journey, the conversation between the two again flashed over her brain.

It was 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon, she was busy packing her luggage when there was a knock on the door. It was Peter and it was for the first time in three months when he actually took permission to enter the room. Hannah had asked him about what had happened and he replied with his silent looks. She reverted to her luggage when Peter spoke softly "Will you miss me?" Hannah could feel the honesty in that voice but she wasn't used to that kind of honesty when with Peter. There talks were more fun filled. She replied with the general "of course" while still busy with her bag.

"I don't know why I am saying this Hannah, but for the first time I will miss someone this much. It is tough to imagine life without you around. I don't know if this is love but I guess I like you. You have filled the void which no one could." Peter stopped and expected an answer from her.

"I thought we were friends? Why are you destroying it? Why you guys have to think the same way every time?" She never knew why she said that. Peter looked at her face for few seconds and left the room. This was the shortest and the softest argument they had in last 3 months.

Hannah was brought back to the present when she saw Peter seated in the seat next to hers with two coffee cups in his hands. He had exchanged his seat in another compartment with an old man who was to be seated next to Hannah.

They talked the whole night about everything except that last argument. As time passed Hannah could feel the glow in Peter's eyes. She could feel the honesty in his friends words.

It was early morning when another train passed and she woke up. She had spent the complete night resting her head on Peter's shoulder. Hannah looked at sleeping Peter and she knew, she liked him too.