Chapter 18 — Reaching Aurenfall

  4:30 a.m.

  The alarm rang softly — not loud, not harsh — just enough to break the fragile silence of the sleeping train compartment.

  For a second, no one moved.

  Outside the window, the world was still wrapped in darkness. Rain tapped gently against the glass, not aggressively, but with patience — as if it knew no one was in a hurry yet. The train hummed beneath them, a steady rhythm that felt almost like breathing.

  Noah was the first to sit up.

  He rubbed his eyes, squinting at his phone to confirm the time.

  “4:30,” he muttered, his voice rough with sleep.

  Anvi groaned and turned to the other side, pulling the blanket closer. Anaya sat up slowly, her movements careful, her hair slightly messy from sleep. She glanced around instinctively — counting faces without even realizing it.

  One… two… three…

  Her brows knitted.

  “Where’s Luca?” she asked quietly.

  That was enough to wake everyone up.

  Anvi opened one eye. “What?”

  “Luca,” Anaya repeated, scanning the compartment again. “He’s not here.”

  Noah straightened immediately. He looked at the empty seat, then at the door, then back at Anaya.

  “I don’t know,” he said honestly. “He was right here when we slept.”

  The train rocked gently as it moved forward, rainwater streaking down the window like thin silver lines. The outside world felt distant — blurred — like a dream still half-remembered.

  They stood up almost together.

  Noah stepped toward the door first. He slid it open slowly, careful not to make noise.

  And that’s when he saw him.

  Luca stood near the open door, one hand resting casually against the frame, his body leaning slightly forward. The door wasn’t fully open — just enough for the cool air and rain-scented breeze to slip inside.

  Water splashed lightly onto his shoes. Tiny droplets clung to his hair, his eyelashes, the collar of his shirt.

  He didn’t seem to notice.

  His face was calm. Peaceful. Almost… alive.

  Outside, the rain fell endlessly, the tracks disappearing into darkness. Luca’s eyes followed the drops as if they were telling him a story only he could hear.

  Noah watched him for a moment before speaking.

  “Hey, bro?”

  No reaction.

  Noah stepped closer. “You were awake the whole night?”

  That finally pulled Luca back.

  He turned slowly, like someone waking from a pleasant thought rather than sleep. A soft smile formed on his lips — not excited, not sleepy — just content.

  “The excitement didn’t let me sleep,” he said quietly. “I woke up at four.”

  By then, Anaya and Anvi had reached the door too.

  Luca noticed them and lifted his hand in a lazy wave.

  “Good morning, girls.”

  His voice was calm, chill, steady — the kind of voice that made mornings feel less heavy.

  “Good morning,” Anaya replied automatically… then paused.

  There was something about him — standing there, rain touching him without permission, eyes reflecting the outside world — that made her chest feel warm and strangely still at the same time.

  “Are you guys hungry?” Luca asked. “Or want some tea?”

  Anvi stretched and smiled. “Why not?”

  Luca reached into his bag and pulled out four toothbrushes along with toothpaste, holding them up like a proud magician revealing his trick.

  “I brought these.”

  Noah blinked. “Bro… thanks. I got so excited I didn’t pack mine.”

  “Same,” Anvi added. “Totally forgot.”

  Luca looked at Anaya.

  She froze for half a second, then sighed.

  “Oh no… I brought toothpaste but not my brush.”

  Luca laughed — a light, genuine sound.

  “I knew it. That’s why I brought four.”

  He handed them out and added, “I’m done already. Till you guys brush, I’ll arrange something for breakfast.”

  As he walked past them, Anvi leaned toward Anaya and whispered,

  “He’s too good. Having someone like him is a blessing. Don’t let him go.”

  Anvi laughed softly.

  Anaya tried really hard not to blush.

  She failed.

  Her cheeks turned red, her smile stretched just a little too wide — the kind of smile that gave away feelings no words could hide.

  Noah leaned toward Luca and whispered,

  “Bro… I think they’ve both lost control. Know any mental hospitals nearby? We could leave them there.”

  Anvi heard him.

  “If you try that,” she shot back, “we’ll make you mad like us so they take you with us.”

  “I won’t leave my bro,” Noah said dramatically.

  “Keep him with you,” Anvi replied.

  Luca raised his hands. “Hey, I’m not mental.”

  “Don’t worry,” Anvi said sweetly. “Anaya will make you mental.”

  Luca smiled.

  “Let me arrange breakfast,” he said and walked away.

  From behind, Anvi called, “You blushed, right?”

  Luca turned, smirked slightly. “Maybe.”

  And left.

  ---------

  The rain didn’t wait for them.

  The moment Luca stepped down from the train onto the platform of Aurenfall, the sky opened up — not violently, not dramatically — just a steady, honest rain, as if the town itself was welcoming them quietly.

  Cold droplets splashed onto his shoes, darkening them instantly. A few drops landed on his face, sliding down his cheek. He didn’t move.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  He just stood there.

  Noah leaned out from the train door and frowned.

  “Bro… you’re getting drenched.”

  Luca didn’t even turn. His eyes were fixed ahead, watching the rain hit the platform, listening to its rhythm like it was speaking to him.

  “I’ll change once we check into the hotel,” he replied calmly. “Now come on — or the train will take you with it.”

  Noah sighed dramatically but stepped down anyway, followed by Anvi, who immediately laughed when her foot landed in a puddle.

  “Great. Wet shoes already. Perfect start.”

  Anaya was the last to get down.

  As she stepped onto the platform, her foot slipped slightly on the wet surface.

  For a split second, everything froze.

  Before she could panic, Luca turned instinctively and caught her — one arm around her waist, the other steadying her hand.

  She didn’t fall.

  Neither of them moved.

  Rain fell between them. Their faces were too close. Too aware.

  From behind them—

  Clap. Clap. Clap.

  Anvi and Noah were clapping like it was a movie scene.

  “Wow,” Anvi said. “That was smooth.”

  Anaya realized their position and pulled back instantly, her cheeks turning red. Luca cleared his throat, equally flustered.

  They had been so comfortable… they forgot they weren’t alone.

  Noah grinned.

  “Cut. Scene cut. Now let’s go before we all turn into soaked extras.”

  They all laughed — slightly awkward, slightly warm — and hurried to book a cab.

  ---

  The hotel room was quiet once they changed into dry clothes.

  The rain tapped softly against the window. For a few moments, no one spoke.

  Then Anvi broke the silence.

  “I’m hungry.”

  Luca checked his watch. “Breakfast starts at eight. It’s 5:45.”

  “Can we order something?” Noah asked.

  “Room service starts at seven.”

  Anaya hesitated, then said softly, “I do have some fruits.”

  Luca nodded. “And I’ve got some potato chips. You can eat these.”

  Anvi crossed her arms dramatically. “I’ll eat only if everyone eats together.”

  Everyone nodded.

  They shared what little they had — laughing, stealing bites, teasing each other — the kind of moment that didn’t feel planned but felt right.

  After finishing, Luca looked toward the window.

  “It’s raining,” he said. “We could take umbrellas and go for a walk. The lake is nearby.”

  Anvi’s eyes lit up. “I’m full, so I’m in.”

  “So am I,” Anaya smiled.

  Noah stretched. “Let’s go.”

  ---

  They walked through Aurenfall under umbrellas, rain humming around them.

  The streets were quiet. The air smelled clean.

  “This plan was actually great,” Noah said.

  Luca smiled. “Of course it was.”

  Anaya suddenly pointed toward a dome-like structure near the lake — benches underneath it.

  “Can we sit there for a bit?”

  Luca nodded.

  But Anvi and Noah exchanged looks.

  “We’ll walk around more,” Anvi said. “Explore.”

  “Don’t wait for us,” Noah added.

  They sat side by side under the dome-like structure, the lake stretching in front of them, rain falling steadily — not loud, not quiet — just enough to be felt.

  For a while, neither of them spoke.

  Then Luca broke the silence.

  “The rain is really good today,” he said softly.

  “It feels like… this time, us, and everything around us — it should stay like this.”

  He paused, watching ripples form on the lake.

  “You know what?” he added.

  “I always wanted to spend time like this.”

  Anaya smiled faintly, her eyes fixed ahead.

  “So do I,” she said.

  “Spending time with you feels like a moment I never want to end. When I’m with you… time flows like water.”

  Luca took a slow breath.

  “Every night before sleeping,” he said quietly,

  “you come into my mind. And then I start questioning myself… do I even deserve you?”

  He hesitated.

  “Maybe I’m not the right choice for you. Or maybe—”

  Anaya cut him off instantly, turning toward him.

  “You’re never a choice for me,” she said, her voice firm but emotional.

  “I just… maybe I need you.”

  She swallowed and continued, words spilling out honestly.

  “Your presence. Your silence. The way you talk. The way you walk.

  Everything about you — I like it.”

  Luca didn’t interrupt. He listened silently.

  Then he smiled — the kind of smile that calms someone without saying a word.

  “You’re overwhelmed right now,” he said gently.

  “Take a pause. Take a deep breath.”

  He lifted his hand and softly placed a finger on her lips.

  “Shh,” he whispered.

  “Be quiet for a while.”

  She looked at him, surprised.

  “You said you feel silence alive when you’re with me,” he continued.

  “So now… be silent. After some time, you’ll understand why I’m saying this.”

  She nodded.

  They sat quietly again.

  Rain. Breath. Stillness.

  Minutes passed.

  “Luca…” she finally whispered.

  “Hm?” he replied.

  “How?” she asked softly.

  “How are you so good?”

  She turned toward him fully now.

  “You never panic. You never get angry. You flow like water.

  You fit with everyone. You adjust yourself according to the people around you.”

  She paused, her voice lowering.

  “And even after having all these qualities… you still suppress yourself.

  You said after so long, you’re once again feeling alive. Why?”

  Luca smiled faintly.

  “Shh,” he said again.

  “I told you to be silent.”

  Then he sighed lightly.

  “But never mind.”

  “First of all,” he continued,

  “thank you. Really. It means a lot that you see so many qualities in me.”

  He looked at the lake again.

  “I used to suppress myself, yes.

  But now… with you guys, my life has colours. It’s not black and white anymore.”

  He turned toward her.

  “I love being around you all. You’re not just people I met — you’re part of my life now.”

  He smiled softly.

  “You are assets to me.”

  Then, after a pause, he said something heavier.

  “And you know what?

  If I had the last 24 hours of my life… I’d want to spend those 24 hours with you guys.”

  Anaya’s expression changed immediately.

  “Don’t say things like that,” she said quickly.

  “I don’t like when people talk about death.”

  Her voice trembled.

  “I know the pain. It hurts — not physically, but mentally.

  And this pain leaves behind a permanent scar. On your mind. On your heart.”

  Luca looked at her carefully.

  “Have you lost someone?” he asked softly.

  “Someone… special?”

  She nodded.

  “My mother,” she said.

  “She had cancer. Stage four.”

  Her voice cracked.

  “At that time, I was just three or four. I didn’t even know what it meant.

  But she loved me… a lot. And a lot means really a lot.”

  Tears rolled down her cheeks.

  “She used to play with me. My life was really good until…”

  She couldn’t finish.

  Luca didn’t say anything.

  He just moved closer and let her cry, holding her gently.

  He had always known — the most cheerful people carry the deepest pain behind their smiles.

  After a while, he whispered near her ear:

  “You know what, Anaya?

  Sometimes, letting out the pain we hide makes our heart feel lighter.”

  He pulled back slightly and looked at her.

  “So let it out. All of it.”

  He continued softly:

  “And if you ever feel lonely… or broken… or lost — call me.

  No matter what time it is. No matter where I am. I’ll pick it up.”

  He took out his handkerchief and gave it to her.

  “Now wipe your tears.”

  She did.

  He smiled.

  “See? It feels lighter now, right?”

  She nodded, then hugged him tightly and whispered:

  “Thank you, Luca.

  Thank you so much.”

  Exactly at that moment, Noah and Anvi came back.

  Noah leaned closer to Anvi and whispered into her ear, “Click a photo. They’re a match made in heaven.”

  Anvi grinned, pulled out her phone, and clicked a picture. Then she said loudly, “Hey guys… maybe we missed something, right Noah?”

  Noah nodded with a wide smile.

  Luca and Anaya froze. Their faces turned red—red like tomatoes.

  “Naah guys!” Luca blurted out.

  “You’re overreacting,” Anaya added quickly. “There’s nothing like that!”

  Anvi folded her arms. “We ain’t blind, guys.”

  Everyone burst out laughing.

  Anvi clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s head back to the hotel. It’s 7:00 already—the food service should be available. And honestly, I’m so hungry I could eat Noah.”

  Noah immediately ran and hid behind Luca. “Bro! This girl would eat me alive. Please—let’s go to the hotel!”

  Laughter followed them all the way back.

  ---

  At the hotel, they ordered snacks along with tea. Luca ordered two plates of pakoras and four toasts.

  When the snacks arrived, they dug in happily. As usual, Anvi couldn’t stop herself.

  “Guys!” she said dramatically. “Where is the chef? I’ll pack the chef and take him to my house. I’ll eat food made by him every day.”

  Anaya raised an eyebrow. “First of all, he’s doing a job here. Second, he’s a human. How exactly will he fit in your bag?”

  Everyone laughed again.

  Luca cleared his throat. “Hey guys, listen. There’s a fest here—the Fest of Aurenfall. They set a bamboo pole over the Aurenfall lake, and participants try to stay on it. If someone stays for thirty seconds, they win an award—the Award of Great Balance.”

  Everyone leaned in.

  “We can go there after breakfast. And after that, we’ll explore the local market, the town, street food—everything. And surprise for you all—there’s a lake too. We can go boating.”

  “Yay!” everyone cheered.

  “This trip is going to be fun as hell!”

  Noah checked the time. “It’s around 7:30. No events are happening right now. Let’s take a short nap.”

  Anvi scoffed. “Nap means ten–fifteen minutes. Two hours isn’t a nap.”

  Luca smirked and corrected. “He didn’t say a nap. He said a short nap.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “Whatever,” Noah said. “I’m sleeping. Wake me up when breakfast starts.”

  “I’m thinking of taking a short nap too,” Anvi said.

  “Me too,” Anaya added, then turned to Luca. “What about you?”

  Luca laughed. “Yeah guys, I’m in.”

  They set an alarm for 10:30 and slept for about one and a half to two hours.

  ---

  At breakfast, they settled at the table while the TV played in the background.

  “…Due to heavy rainfall, the road to Aurenfall has been blocked,” the news anchor said.

  “The Aurenfall Fest has been delayed and will now be held tomorrow at the same time. For today, stay where you are, be safe, and have a happy journey.”

  Noah sighed. “So… our plan got ruined. What are we gonna do now?”

  Everyone fell quiet.

  Then Luca smiled.

  “Guys, don’t be sad. We can enjoy here too. Noah, you said it yourself—even a walk together feels good. We’re all here. We can play games and do a lot of stuff.”

  Anaya lit up.

  “What about musical chairs?”

  The idea instantly changed the mood.

  “But we don’t have that many players,” Anvi said, looking around the dining area.

  Noah leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret.

  “Guys… not just us. Everyone in this hotel is stuck here. We could ask them to join.”

  He smiled slowly.

  “More players, more fun.”

  Luca nodded.

  “Okay. Let’s ask.”

  They moved around the hotel lobby, approaching people carefully.

  Some smiled immediately.

  Some hesitated, then agreed.

  Some laughed, clearly bored and happy for distraction.

  Soon, a small group had formed.

  Six teens.

  A couple.

  An older man with calm eyes and a gentle smile.

  The hotel staff helped arrange chairs.

  A speaker was brought in.

  People gathered around, curious.

  The music started.

  The first round was easy.

  Laughter filled the room almost instantly.

  Anaya moved carefully.

  Watching her steps.

  Listening to the rhythm.

  Noah exaggerated every move.

  Almost slipping on purpose.

  Making people laugh.

  Anvi walked like she was on a ramp.

  Flipping her hair dramatically.

  Luca moved quietly.

  Calm.

  Observant.

  One chair removed.

  The music stopped.

  Scrambling.

  Quick reactions.

  Someone laughed after losing.

  Round after round, people were eliminated.

  The crowd grew louder.

  Claps echoed.

  Rain tapped the windows like background music.

  Fifteen minutes passed without anyone noticing.

  Finally, only Luca and Anaya were left.

  One chair.

  The room suddenly felt quieter.

  The music played.

  They walked around the chair slowly.

  Not rushed.

  Not nervous.

  Anaya felt her heartbeat in her ears.

  Luca looked relaxed.

  Their eyes met briefly.

  A calm smile passed between them.

  Then—

  The music stopped.

  Luca stood closest to the chair.

  He could’ve sat.

  He didn’t.

  He stepped back.

  Anaya froze for half a second, then sat instinctively.

  She won.

  Her face lit up.

  The room erupted into cheers.

  Claps filled the air — loud, warm, genuine.

  People clapped for Anaya.

  People clapped for Luca.

  “Good job, dude,” someone said.

  Anaya looked at Luca, surprised.

  He just smiled.

  Noah grinned widely.

  “Another round?”

  Everyone nodded immediately.

  More people joined.

  More chairs were added.

  This time, it was louder.

  Messier.

  More fun.

  Shoes scraped the floor.

  People laughed when they lost balance.

  Someone nearly fell and caught themselves.

  Time stretched.

  Twenty-five minutes passed like nothing.

  In the final round, it was Noah versus the elder man.

  The room went quiet again.

  The music played.

  They circled the chair slowly.

  Both smiling.

  The music stopped.

  Noah sat first.

  He won.

  He jumped up, hands raised, celebrating like he’d won a championship.

  The elder man laughed and patted his shoulder proudly.

  Everyone clapped again.

  Breaths were heavier now.

  Faces were flushed.

  Smiles refused to fade.

  ---

  After that, they decided to play another game.

  Guess the Movie Character by Action.

  Two teams were formed.

  Team A: Luca and Anaya.

  Team B: Noah and Anvi.

  People gathered closer, curious again.

  Team A went first.

  Anvi whispered the character into Anaya’s ear.

  “Tony Stark.”

  Anaya stepped forward.

  She lifted her chin slightly.

  Moved her hands confidently.

  Pretending to fly.

  Her expressions were sharp.

  Confident.

  Playful.

  Luca watched carefully.

  Seconds passed.

  Then he snapped his fingers.

  “Tony Stark?”

  “Yes!”

  Cheers followed.

  One point.

  Team B’s turn.

  Anaya leaned in and whispered into Noah’s ear.

  “Batman.”

  Noah stepped forward.

  And immediately ruined it.

  He crouched randomly.

  Jumped.

  Made strange faces.

  Did things that made absolutely no sense.

  Minutes passed.

  People laughed harder every second.

  Anvi held her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.

  Finally, Team B gave up.

  “What was it?” someone asked.

  Noah straightened proudly.

  “No way you didn’t get it,” he said. “Batman.”

  Silence.

  Then laughter exploded.

  “You weren’t acting like Batman,” Anvi said between laughs. “You were acting like a monkey.”

  Everyone laughed again.

  ---

  By the time it ended, everyone was tired.

  Happy.

  Light.

  Satisfied.

  It was lunch time.

  People slowly drifted away, still laughing.

  Some waved goodbye.

  Some promised to play again if they met tomorrow.

  Back in their room, the energy still lingered.

  Noah pulled out a deck of cards.

  They played for hours.

  Cards shuffled.

  Cards slammed.

  Cards hidden suspiciously.

  Luca won with calmness and strategy.

  Anaya won with pure luck.

  Anvi won by chance.

  Noah won by cheating.

  No one complained.

  Truth and Dare followed.

  Time disappeared.

  Laughs echoed.

  Embarrassment passed.

  Memories were made.

  Then Anvi’s stomach growled loudly.

  “Guys… I’m hungry.”

  Luca checked his watch.

  “Guys! It’s 9:45.”

  Silence.

  Then realization.

  “The time flew so fast,” Ana