It’s a place with a lot of strangers, barely looking at each other, looking for gates, and a gateway to go somewhere. Some are worried while some are excited about their destination. All of them have to go somewhere - the only similarity.
The symphony of departure announcements or the screech of a train pulling away barely harmonizes with the footsteps of passengers. Amidst the dynamic tableau, Mahim and Akhi found themselves immersed in a microcosm of human connections.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" Mahim asked.
"I already answered that," Akhi replied, sounding annoyed.
Noticing Akhi's annoyance, Mahim stayed silent. After a brief moment of silence, Akhi spoke up. "Why did you start talking to me?"
"I don't know," Mahim said. "It's random."
"I could tell. It's kinda creepy to approach a random stranger at a station like this, don't you think?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"Don't worry. I'm just kidding," Akhi assured him. "That's my sarcastic tone. You'll get used to it."
"Cool. So, I'm a good listener, huh?" Mahim said.
"Oh my God, don't stress it. I think you're a great listener, and I enjoyed talking to you. Even if it was random," Akhi said, pausing briefly.
"What was that you said?" Mahim asked.
"That I enjoyed talking to you?"
Mahim and Akhi found themselves immersed in a microcosm of human connections
"No, the sentence before that," he clarified.
"That you're a good listener?"
"Yes, that one," Mahim said.
"Look at you, seeking validation," she teased.
"Is that your sarcastic tone again?" Mahim asked.
"Yes, but I'm serious this time.” Akhi confirmed, “You really are a good listener.” “I mean why else would I continue talking to you.”, she added, unknowingly allowing Mahim to read her lips yet one more time.
"Maybe it's my turn to “listen” now," Mahim suggested.
"Sure. What do you want to know?" Akhi asked.
"Why don't you believe in love at first sight? I'm genuinely curious," Mahim said.
"Oh, that…" Akhi sighed, the sound of a train pulling in interrupting their conversation. "It's time to go," she said, her hands searching for her cane, "Maybe we'll meet again, randomly?"
Mashaekh Hassan is a Teaching Assistant, School of General Education, Brac University.