Hiyori walked briskly to the station, her steps quick but her mind racing faster. The thrill of discovering Ansh's name on the merit list was like a current of energy surging through her veins, yet doubts began to creep into her thoughts.
How did I know? she wondered, clutching her bag tightly. Why was I so certain he would have applied to this college?
The answer eluded her, but fragments of the diary began to resurface in her mind. Memories, words, fleeting thoughts—had Ansh written something about this in the past? Or was it her connection to him, something beyond time, that guided her?
The thought sent a shiver down her spine.
As she neared the station, a strange sensation washed over her. The streets, the buildings, even the scent of the air—it all felt eerily familiar, like stepping into a forgotten memory. Her heart raced as her eyes scanned her surroundings.
The architecture, though older and worn, was unmistakable. The street vendors hawking their wares, the distant chatter of locals—it was as though she had stepped back into her past life.
She stopped in her tracks, her breath hitching. This is where I lived, she thought, her mind spinning. This is where I was as Ansh.
The realization hit her like a tidal wave. Her chest tightened, her heartbeat thundering in her ears as the scenery around her became sharper, more vivid. Every detail, from the cobblestones beneath her feet to the faint hum of the train in the distance, felt like a memory brought to life.
For a moment, she forgot where she was going. The allure of the past tugged at her, drawing her into the beauty of the place she had once called home. Her eyes welled with tears as she walked slowly, her fingers brushing against the cool stone walls of an old building.
Nothing's changed, she thought, a bittersweet smile playing on her lips. It's all still here.
Lost in the scenery, Hiyori barely noticed the time slipping away. By the time she reached the platform, the train she had intended to catch was already leaving, its whistle piercing the air as it disappeared into the distance.
Her heart sank as she realized her mistake. The next train wouldn't arrive for hours, and she would have to travel an additional 70 kilometers to catch it at the next station.
A deep sigh escaped her lips, frustration bubbling up. But as she looked around, the familiar sights grounded her. Perhaps this was meant to be—a chance to linger in the echoes of her past.
Hiyori found a bench near the edge of the platform and sat down, her bag resting at her feet. The station was small and relatively quiet, with only a few travelers waiting alongside her. The faint hum of cicadas filled the warm evening air, adding to the surreal sense of nostalgia.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, allowing the memories to wash over her. As Ansh, she had passed through this very station countless times, never imagining that one day she would return—only now, as someone else entirely.
Maybe I'm not just finding him, she thought, her heart aching. Maybe I'm finding myself too.
The hours passed slowly, the shadows growing longer as the sun dipped below the horizon. Hiyori used the time to reflect, flipping through the diary she carried with her. Each page felt like a puzzle piece, revealing fragments of her past and guiding her toward the person she sought.
The wait was agonizing, but the thought of seeing Ansh again kept her going. She clung to the hope that this unexpected detour would still lead her to him, that the pieces of her fractured life would finally come together.
When the next train finally arrived, Hiyori boarded with renewed determination. The journey ahead was long, but her resolve burned brighter than ever.
"This time," she whispered to herself as the train pulled away, "I'll reach you, Ansh. No matter how far I have to go."