The city was always in a hurry. People rushed across roads before the traffic light changed. Buses groaned to a stop only to leave seconds later Vendors shouted over one another trying to sell the last samosa or newspaper before the morning crowd disappeared.
In the middle of all that chaos stood Kian Carter checking his watch for what felt like the hundredth time.
8:17 a.m.
Late. Again.
He sighed and tightened the strap of his camera bag. He wasn't usually late. In fact, Kian hated being late. His friends joked that if he ever reached a place five minutes early, he'd call himself irresponsible. Today wasn't his fault. His bus had broken down halfway to college. Now he had exactly twelve minutes to reach class before Professor Harris locked the doors.
"Perfect," He muttered
As he hurried through the station, something warm bumped into his shoulder.
Splash.
"Oh no!" Coffee spilled across the front of his white shirt.
Kian froze. Slowly...Very slowly... He looked down Brown coffee stains, his favorite shirt.
Ruined.
"I'm so, so sorry!"
A girl stood in front of him holding an empty paper cup.
She looked as shocked as i was.
"I wasn't looking where I was going."
"You think?" Kian replied
"I'll buy you another coffee."
"I don't need another coffee."
"A new shirt???"
He sighed.
"It's okay."
"It doesn't look okay."
She bit her lip clearly feeling guilty.
People continued walking around them like nothig had happened.
Finally she held out her hand.
"I'm Elara."
kian hesitated before shaking it
"Kian."
"Nice to meet you."
"I wish it had been under better circumstances." She laughed.
"So do I."
Without wasting another second Elara walked to the nearest café.
"One cappuccino and......"
She looked back at Kian.
"What do you drink?"
"I already said—"
"Cappuccino?"
"Fine.........."
"And two blueberry muffins."
Kian blinked.
"I didn't ask for food."
"I know."
"It's my apology."
Five minutes later they sat at a tiny table outside the cafe. Neither of them had any time . Yet neither of them stood up.
"So..." Elara said in between taking bites .
"Do you always look this stressed?"
"I have an attendance record to protect."
"Ahhhh."
"And you?"
"I've been late to class so many times that my professor has given up."
Kian laughed.
"You say that like it's an achievement."
"It kind of is."
For the next fifteen minutes they talked.
About college. Favorite books. Music. The terrible weather. Why station coffee always tasted better than expensive cafés.
It was strangely...
Easy.
As if they'd skipped the awkward stranger phase altogether.
Then Kian's phone buzzed.
Mason: If you don't get here in five minutes, Paul is gonna murder you.
Kian's eyes widened .
"I have to go."
Elara checked the time.
"So do I."
They both stood at the same moment. For a second, neither of them knew what to say.
"Thanks... for the coffee."
"And the shirt?" Kiara exclaimed
"I'll survive."
She smiled.
"Good."
They walked toward opposite platforms.
Just before boarding, Elara turned around.
"Kian!"
He looked back.
"You still owe me."
He frowned.
"For what?"
"A coffee that isn't spilled."
Before he could answer...
Her train doors closed. it moved away into the distance carrying her out of sight. That evening Kian realized something......
He had never asked for her number. He didn't know her college. Or her course. Or even her surname.
All he knew was her first name. And that she laughed with her whole heart. He smiled to himself.
"What are the chances we'll ever meet again?"
Two Weeks Later
Kian stood in the fiction aisle of his favorite bookstore.
After waiting nearly a month, the final copy of The Silent Letters had finally arrived.
He reached for it . At the exact same moment...
Another hand grabbed the book.
"Seriously?"
Kian looked up.
Curly hair. Bright eyes. A familiar smile.
Elara.
She stared at him for a second before laughing.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"I was about to say the same thing."
They were standing in complete silence for three seconds before bursting into laughter.
The bookstore employee looked at them, completely confused and finally asked them...
"You two know each other?"
Kian and Elara looked at each other.
Then answered together.
"Not really..........."
YOU ARE READING
Perpendicular
RomanceSome people are meant to stay. Some are meant to leave. And some... are only meant to cross paths.
