The Train Delay
"Stuck on a delayed train to Birmingham, Fatima ends up sharing a table with Kamran—a man so infuriating, so attractive, that three hours feels like a lifetime. In the best possible way."
The Train Delay
"This seat is taken."
Fatima looked at the empty seat, then at the man guarding it. Ridiculously handsome, ridiculously annoyed.
"By whom?"
"By my peace and quiet."
"Funny. The app says it's mine." She sat down. "Three hours to Birmingham. Try not to murder me."
"No promises."
The train hadn't moved in forty minutes. Fatima's phone was dead. And somehow, she was now arguing about Bollywood with a complete stranger.
"Shah Rukh Khan is overrated."
"You're objectively wrong." Kamran looked genuinely offended. "DDLJ is a masterpiece."
"DDLJ is problematic and you know it."
"It's romantic!"
"He literally stalks her across Europe!"
"That's persistence!"
She laughed despite herself. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're beautiful when you laugh." He blinked, seeming surprised by his own words. "Sorry. That slipped out."
"Don't apologize." She smiled. "It was nice."
The hours passed. Arguments became confessions. Confessions became something charged.
"I don't do this," Kamran said as the train finally approached Birmingham. "Talk to strangers. Connect."
"Neither do I." Fatima's heart was racing. "But I don't want this to end."
"It doesn't have to." He took her hand. "Have dinner with me. Tonight. Let's see if we're as interesting with options."
"We might be terrible."
"We might be incredible." His thumb traced her palm. "Worth the risk?"
"Yes."
Dinner lasted until midnight. Midnight led to his hotel room. The chemistry wasn't just on the train.
Kamran touched her like he was still arguing—passionate, intense, determined to make his point.
"You're incredible," he breathed, moving inside her. "Not terrible at all."
"Less talking—"
"Never. I like the banter." He kissed her deeply. "I like you."
She came apart with his laugh in her ears and his body in hers.
"So," Fatima said afterward. "What now? You live in London. I live here."
"I live wherever you are." He pulled her close. "That sounds insane. I know. But I haven't felt this connected to anyone. Ever."
"We met on a train six hours ago."
"The best things happen unexpectedly." He kissed her forehead. "Let me keep happening to you, Fatima. Please."
He moved to Birmingham three months later.
The wedding invitation featured a train ticket.
Best delay either of them ever experienced.