Ticket to Goodbye (short Story )
The Random Chat
Midnight. A dimly lit room. Shiv Laptop screens glowing.
Ritika (Username: LostSoul99): “Dude, what if I just… ran away? Like, left everything behind and went to the mountains?”
Shiv (Username: DoneWithLife07): “LMAO, do it. Book a ticket right now. Or are you just another keyboard warrior?”
Ritika: “Excuse me? You think I won’t? I can disappear faster than my salary after rent.”
Shiv: “Big talk. Let’s make it real. We both book separate tickets, meet at a random station, and start fresh. Deal?”
Ritika: “Wait. Are we actually doing this?”
Shiv: “I mean… why not? Worst case, you get murdered by a stranger. Best case, new adventure. Win-win!” 😀😀😀
Ritika: “Wow. Such motivation. If I die, my ghost will haunt your WiFi.”
Shiv: “Fine by me. At least my internet will finally have some spirit.”
The Journey Begins
A week later. Ritika stands at the train station, wearing a blue top and black jeans ,backpack in hand, nerves hitting harder than her mom’s flying chappal.
Ritika (muttering): “Oh my god, am I actually doing this? This is how dumb people die in movies. ‘And then she met a stranger from the internet and disappeared forever!’”
Ritika If any thing happen to me , I curse him and hunt him forever 😉😉
She checks her phone. No message from Shiv. She glances around, expecting a guy holding a ‘LostSoul99?’ sign. Nada.
Ritika: “Bro, if you catfished me, I swear , I will ruin your life.”
Ping! A message pops up.
Shiv: “I’m here, watching you. But I think you should take this journey alone.”
Ritika: “EXCUSE ME? What kind of thriller sh*t is this?!”
She looks around frantically. Every dude looks suspicious. Even the old uncle eating samosa gives her serial killer vibes.
Ritika: “Shiv, are you a psycho? Are you watching me from a tree like some cheap horror movie ghost?”
Shiv: “Relax, detective . I’m in my room, under my blanket, eating Biryani. I chickened out.”
Ritika: “You what?!”
Shiv: “Yeah… turns out, I’m more of a ‘dramatic exit in my head’ kind of guy. But you? You’re actually there. So maybe you should go for it.”
Ritika: “You useless piece of burnt toast. I CAME ALL THE WAY HERE!”
Shiv: “And that’s why you’re cool and I’m a wimp. But hey, since you’re already at the station, why not go?”
Ritika: “Go where?! The Himalayas? Alone? With what survival skills? My biggest achievement is opening a pickle jar on my own!”
Shiv: “You wanted a fresh start. Maybe this is it? Or you can just go back home and pretend this never happened.”
Ritika looks at the train schedule. The next train to Manali leaves in 10 minutes. Her stomach churns.
Ritika: “Shiv, if I die, you better come to my funeral.”
Shiv: “I’ll bring Biryani. Also, not to be that guy, but… can I have your internet password if you don’t make it?”
Ritika: “I hate you.”
Shiv: “Aww. You’ll miss me. Now go before I convince you to come back and we both stay miserable.”
Ritika takes a deep breath and, before she can overthink, hops onto the train. Doors close. Train moves. And just like that, she’s off.
A New Beginning
A week later. A snowy hilltop. Ritika, wrapped in five layers of sweaters, sipping chai at a roadside stall. Her phone buzzes.
Shiv: “So? How’s the adventure?”
Ritika: “Cold. My toes are frozen. But also… I don’t know, peaceful? I think I might actually be okay.”
Shiv: “Told ya. You needed this.”
Ritika: “Yeah. You’re still a coward tho.”
Shiv: “Rude. I gave moral support.”
Ritika: “You gave sarcasm.”
Shiv: “Same thing. So… am I ever going to see you in real life, or are we just online besties forever?”
Ritika: “Maybe one day. Or maybe I’ll just keep haunting your WiFi.”
Shiv: “Ugh. The horror. Fine, keep me posted, mountain girl.”
Ritika: “Will do, coward.”
She puts her phone down, takes another sip of chai, and smiles. Sometimes, the best journeys begin when you least expect them.
The End.