Stranger ⇌ Companion

By  Rhea Nahar

What was supposed to be a long sought-after trip for Sara with her childhood best friend takes a dramatic turn when Amaira's boyfriend who Sara despises for reasons that she is too hurt to explain, and his friend decide to crash their trip. As the trip progresses, the introduction of foreign elements changes the course of Sara's life and how she chooses to express her long suppressed feelings to an unknown friend.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BlueRose Publishers
• Release date: Jul 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9789354277085

Book preview

auther’s Introduction

If you’d have had told me 2 years ago that I’d have been writing a book that’s about to be published, I would have laughed it off, but here I am writing one. I struggled a bit back then but it just never came to me. Things are different now because of which I finally feel confident of my creative abilities.

Being a medical student, writing was never ingrained into me. I think that I am a writer by chance, not a writer by choice. I’ve been writing to express myself for a while.

COVID-19 has played a significant role in bringing out my dormant creativity and having an ample amount of time on my hands has accelerated it, so I finally pushed myself to write a book.

With this book finally coming to fruition, I’ve completed my bucket list.

See you all @rheanahar_09

Chapter 1

We were eagerly waiting at the Bandra Terminus. We are finally going thought Sara. She was very excited for the trip. Everyone is excited when they plan a trip with their best friend.

Sara! exclaimed Amaira.

Yeah?, Sara asked.

Let’s go to the camp instructor and take our seat numbers. said Amaira.

Okay! replied Sara.

Both of them went to the instructor, took their berth numbers and got settled in their respective seats. They were patiently waiting for the train to start.

SURPRISE! two people shouted in unison. Amaira went and hugged one of them tightly. It was Rithwik, Amaira’s boyfriend and the person beside him was Vihaan, Rithwik’s best friend. Amaira was really happy and shocked seeing both of them.

What a surprise guys, Sara exclaimed (sarcastically).

Still in Rithwik’s arms, Amaira eagerly asked them, What’re you guys doing here?!

How would Rithwik live without you for the next 14 days Amaira? Vihaan mocked So we decided to surprise you girls.

Oh! I see, said Sara.

Amaira (blushing), whispered a ‘Thank you’ to Rithwik. Sara wasn’t very pleased at their arrival. She hated Rithwik, on top of that she was more pissed that these people had hi-jacked her only trip with her best friend. On the contrary, Amaira was very happy with Rithwik being beside her. The disappointment was evident on Sara’s face and that’s when Priyank sir came in. He was one of the many volunteers at Camp Uchidhar. Camp Uchidhar is one of the best in India. Sara had gone to many different places along with this camp. Seeing Priyank sir brought her smile right back.

Hello Sir, how are you? she asked enthusiastically.

I am good, Thank you. How are you doing? asked Priyank sir.

I’m fine as well sir., Sara said.

After exchanging pleasantries Sara introduced her friends to Priyank sir. They greeted each other. Priyank sir got up to leave when Sara beamed, Glad to see you, sir. Same here Sara, I am sure you and your friends are going to thoroughly enjoy the trip. Yes sir, Amaira said in excitement and Sara gave him half a smile. After Priyank sir went Amaira turned to Sara and told her to come to the washroom with her. She knew Sara was upset. They made their way to the washroom. Sara listen? said Amaira. Say what happened? asked Sara, a bit frustrated. Are you ok with Rithwik and Vihaan on the trip? asked Amaira, a little concerned. Do you really think so? said Sara sternly. Listen, even I didn’t know that they were coming, said Amaira a bit sadly. She was quite happy to see Rithwik but she also knew Sara didn’t like him and she had her reasons. She felt sorry about the whole situation, but she couldn’t do anything about it now. It was too late. They headed back to the compartment.

Rithwik and Vihaan could sense that Sara was thwarted, but none of them were bold enough to ask her what was wrong as they knew what would come their way later. Sara went on to hear songs on her ear pods. Amaira went and sat beside Rithwik. Everyone was chilling. It was twilight by then. Sara in a relaxed posture was staring intently at the Blue sky turn Prussian. Vihaan was fidgeting with his laptop. Rithwik and Amaira continued with their banter nonetheless. Seeing Sara get up to leave Amaira inquired the reason. Ah! I am going to Priyank sir said Sara. Amaira nodded and nobody asked further.

She made her way through the bogie to the compartment where all the volunteers were sitting. The vibe was electrifying and lively. She finally felt happy seeing her surroundings. I am going to enjoy a lot with these new people she thought to herself. After crossing a couple of compartments, she could see Priyank sir. Hey Sara, Priyank sir waved to her. Hello, she replied. Everybody in the vicinity was looking at them both curiously. Then Priyank sir introduced Sara to everyone. She greeted everyone and sat down with the volunteers.

Is there anything you want? asked one of the volunteers to Sara. Her name was Kinjal. No ma’am, nothing specific, Sara answered awkwardly. Oh, you don’t need to call me ma’am, said Kinjal, You can call me Di. Cool, said Sara, smiling. How many people are there in this camp? Sara asked curiously. 35 campers and 7 volunteers, replied one of them. Oh! Sara replied. What are you studying Sara, Neha di asked? Medicine, 3rd year Sara replied. Ah, nice! Neha di said. They chit-chatted for a while and then it was dinner time. Sara was about to leave when Jeet Bhai (volunteer) called out her name.

Hey! Sara, can you help to distribute food to everyone?

Sure, Jeet Bhai Sara said. Kinjal di and Priyank sir distributed disposable plates to everyone. Jeet Bhai and Sara distributed the food. After that, the head volunteer (camp instructor) went to each compartment and instructed everyone not to throw used plates outside the window and instead dispose of them in the trashcan lying nearby.

After helping the volunteers, she bid them good-bye and went back to her seat to have her dinner. When she sat, she saw Rithwik and Amaira were feeding each other. She smiled to herself. She was happy seeing her best friend. But she was still mad at Rithwik for intruding on their trip and what he had done to her in the past. She had accepted Amaira and Rithwik’s relationship since Amaira was very happy about it. What are our post-dinner plans? asked Amaira cheerily. Rithwik shrugged, clearly not excited. Amaira turned to Vihaan and Sara. Vihaan answered, Anything that suits y'all. Amaira asked Sara who had just completed her dinner What about you? Sara didn’t reply. Sara was lost in her own trance. Let her crib on my arrival, she doesn’t have anything better to do, leave her alone, said Rithwik bitterly.

Amaira (hit Rithwik in the stomach) and shut him up. Sara was infuriated by the statement but she decided to ignore him. She turned to Amaira and informed her that she was going to read a book. Amaira nodded but in the back of her mind, she definitely knew she had to do something about this. She wanted Sara and Rithwik to chill with each other. But she also knew this was impossible.

She decided not to think about this for now.

Finally,