Accidental Lovers In Covid

It was 6.30 in the evening. The Udyan express train going towards Mumbai from Bengaluru was ready to move. A young man with a backpack and wearing a mask was running fast on the platform to board the train.  He was allotted middle berth no. 39 in a  reservation bogie no. S-7.  He entered the bogie, which was empty and two passengers occupied the opposite seats. The train left for its destination. The platform presented a deserted look due to covid norms. The covid health workers completed all the formalities at the entrance gate. Young man sat on his allotted seat with little distance from another young man. He took some time to settle down. Both the young men were surprised to see each other. 

"Hi, Supreet, you are here."

"Hi, Makarand, what a surprise! I think we met last year at a college function."

"You are right."

Supreet was already in conversation with the young lady in the opposite seat.

"Makarand, she is Vanita, my girlfriend. She will be my life partner shortly. You know  when lovers meet, what they talk about?" 

Vanita became terribly upset and angry. She said,

"Supreet, who said I am going to become your life partner? This is my last warning to you to stop such stupid utterances. This is not the first time you are behaving with me like this. I hate you." 

"Vanita, please accept my love. If you hate me, I will become mad."

"Supreet, I don't care, you become mad or a good person. Get lost from here. Don't show your ugly face to me."

Supreet felt insulted and left the bogie. Makarand was silently listening to their conversation. Vanita and Makarand saw each other and remembered an incident that happened six months back in the Paradise mall, Bengaluru. On that day, both had a serious argument as she was making an unnecessary delay at the cash counter. He was just behind her. They were unknown at that time. Now they know each other after the introduction. Both engaged in general talk for sometime without removing masks and maintaining distance.

On reaching Dadar station in the evening  at 7. 30  Makarand and Vanita got down from the train and few passengers were seen on the platform.  Suddenly, Supreet  came behind Vanita and pushed her intentionally, when she was walking near the edge of the platform and disappeared very fast.  In the process, she was about to fall down on the tracks, Makarand acted quickly and rescued her by  pulling her towards the platform.  Both washed their hands with hand sanitizer. She suffered minor injuries on left leg. Vanita  accused Supreet for his heinous cruel act. Covid health workers checked all the passengers at the exit gate. Makarand bought pain killer ointment and gave it to her. 

She applied the ointment and got relief  after some time. 

"Makarand, I appreciate you  and thank you for your kindness and timely help. Otherwise, I would have lost my life." 

"Vanita, what I expected to do, I did."

"Where are you going Makarand?" asked Vanita.

"Vanita, I am going to Sidhartha marriage hall in Mulund East to attend the marriage ceremony of my childhood friend."

"What a surprise? I too want to go to the same marriage hall to attend the marriage of my niece," said Vanita.

"It's really a coincidence!," exclaimed Makarand. 

 Both proceeded to the hall in the same taxi. During the one and half  hour journey on the road, they discussed wearing masks. The conversations include  about their family matters. It was revealed during their conversation that Vanita had completed BE Electronics and was searching for a job. Makarand after completing MCA, joined a multinational software company in Bengaluru as a software engineer. Suddenly, the driver applied the brake to save the dog coming under the wheels.   Both had a mild jerking and felt the taxi met with a horrible accident.  Out of terrible fear, she hugged Makarand just for a few seconds. Both had a thrilling experience of love. Luckily, due to the right judgement of the driver nothing happened and he saved the dog. It was a lovely moment for them.

Taxi stopped at the Police station, Mulund. Vanita lodged complaint against Supreet for attempt of murder on her mentioning full details. The FIR was registered and assured quick action. From there the marriage hall was a just three minutes walk.  As per covid norms, few people gathered. Vanita saw Supreet was busy singing and dancing in the marriage She  felt very much to see her own elder sister Ankita was in the group. The elderly guests present there protested Supreet to stop indecent dancing and vulgar songs. At the same time police arrived with a warrant on Supreet. He was taken to the police station for enquiry. 

While leaving marriage hall,  

"Vanita, I will not leave you. One or the other day, I will take revenge," said Supreet.

Vanita preferred to keep silent. 

 Everybody at the marriage function witnessed the scene as a dumb spectators. But those who protested him were happy. Ankita was one among them. Bridegroom Sanket was a friend of Supreet and Makarand. The marriage was over after one hour. Vanita and Makarand conveyed good  wishes to the newly married couple. 

Ankita saw her younger sister and asked,

"Vanita, when did you come ?   Are you okay? You did the right thing by filing a complaint against Supreet."

Vanita narrated everything to Ankita about what had happened in detail. 

Ankita came to know about the love between Vanita and Makarand. She asked,

"Vanita, I wonder how you loved Makarand in the short span of twenty four hours during the covid?

Makarand intervened and said, 

"Ankita Ji, "sometimes best relationships happen accidentally."

"Ankita bahen, "Respect is based on friendship and friendship is based on love and love is so accidental isn't it?"

"Vanita and Makarand, I am happy that both of you have taken an important decision in life. I am proud of my younger sister. Wish you all the best, said Ankita.