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Mahir was deeply engrossed in a phone call, his voice carrying a surprising tenderness that caught Bela's attention.

"Yes, sweetheart. It will take two more hours for me to reach."

Sweetheart?

"Congratulations, darling! You cracked the deal. I am so proud of you."

Darling?

"Okay, we will celebrate your success like every time," he said with a smile.

Bela, biting her nails in a mix of confusion and shock, muttered under her breath, "Oh my god! He's flirting with his girlfriend openly."

Abruptly ending the call, Mahir's gaze fell upon a young girl, about 15 or 16, sitting alone across from Bela's seat. The girl's shoulders trembled as she pulled a small bottle from her handbag.

Mahir couldn't quite grasp what she was doing, but he sensed something was wrong. The girl unscrewed the lid and poured its contents into her mouth.

"Hey! Stop!" Mahir leaped out of his seat, prompting a bewildered frown from Bela.

"What's happening?" she asked, tilting her head and gasping as she saw the teenage girl slumped over.

"BELA, COME HERE, PLEASE!" Mahir's urgent shout made her rush over, confused but willing to help.

"What happened to her?"

"She consumed poison."

"Quick, bring water," Mahir instructed.

Bela hurried back to her seat and grabbed her water bottle. "Hurry up, Bela," Mahir urged as she swiftly returned.

He helped the girl drink some water and looked over at Bela, who seemed visibly rattled by the situation.

"Bela, can you put your hands in mine?" he asked softly.

"Huh?" Bela was taken aback.

With no time to explain, Mahir took her hands in his own. Before Bela could grasp his intentions, he placed her palms flat on the girl's stomach and began pressing gently.

The girl retched violently, expelling the poison from her system. Mahir withdrew Bela's hands and instructed her to help the girl sit up properly.

"Why did you save me?" the girl shouted angrily, pushing Bela away.

"JUST SHUT UP!" Mahir snapped, causing the girl to flinch. Bela placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, silently urging him to calm down. He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed heavily.

"Boyfriend issue?" he asked the girl, who nodded meekly, ashamed of her actions.

"Do you even understand what you're doing? What if we weren't in this compartment? What would have happened?" Mahir towered over her, his tone stern.

"I loved him so much, but he said I'm not up to his standards," the girl sobbed. Bela enveloped her in a gentle embrace, trying to console her.

"This is your generation's problem. When you're in love, it's all you see, nothing else. What about those who love you dearly, your family, your friends? Did you think about them even for a minute? Can you imagine the pain your parents would feel finding their grown daughter ready to end her life over a fleeting attraction?"

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't bear the rejection," the girl mumbled tearfully, and Bela's heart went out to her.

"What's your name?"

"Siya, what a pretty name for a pretty girl." she replied, wiping her tears with her palm.

"Siya... It's his loss that he let go of such a beautiful girl," Bela said, gently caressing Siya's cheek.

"Don't waste your tears on that idiot. He isn't even worth it. You're about to give up your precious life for him? That's really foolish, Siya. Value yourself, and think about your future. Make your parents proud," Bela said softly, leaving Mahir momentarily speechless.

He didn't expect this spirited girl to offer such profound advice.

"She's right. At the end of the day, no one will be there for you except your family and loved ones. Respect them and the freedom they've given you."

"Thank you both so much for opening my eyes. I don't know what would have happened. I might have died by now. I can't imagine the pain my parents would feel seeing me like that... I'm sorry," Siya hugged Bela tightly, tears flowing freely.

Bela patted her head gently. "It's okay, sweetheart."

"Go wash your face and change your clothes," Mahir smiled faintly, patting her head. Siya was so young, reminding him of his friend's sister. That's why he lost his temper when he saw her coughing up poison.

---

"Thank you, Bela, for helping with that situation," Mahir said genuinely when Bela returned to her seat after ensuring Siya was feeling better.

"You don't need to thank me, Mahir. It's just what any human being would do," she replied sincerely.

"I was scared seeing her condition, but you handled it bravely."

"And I'm surprised to hear such mature thoughts from you. I didn't know there was this side to you behind the mischievous Bela," he said, looking at her with newfound respect.

"Yeah, it depends on the situation," she chuckled.

Mahir smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Do you need something?"

"Huh?"

"You keep looking out the window."

"I'm feeling thirsty, but my bottle's empty," she explained, and Mahir suddenly remembered he had used her water to help Siya.

"I'm sorry, it's because of me. You can drink from mine," he offered his water bottle immediately.

"But..." she hesitated, eyeing the bottle, and Mahir understood her concern.

"Don't worry, I haven't touched it," he chuckled reassuringly.

"No, that's not what I was thinking. I'm worried about you. I'll drink it all," she said gratefully, opening the lid and downing the entire contents in one go.

Mahir smiled and checked his phone when he heard a notification sound.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked, wiping her lips with her scarf, and he burst out laughing.

"What makes you think that?"

"I heard you talking on your phone twice," she pouted.

"The first call was from my mother, and the second was from my friend," he explained, trying to contain his smile.

"You call your friend darling, huh?" she narrowed her eyes playfully at him.

"Yeah, I like to use endearments with my friends. It's common these days. Just because I talk to a girl on the phone doesn't mean she's my girlfriend. I don't have a girlfriend, but I do have girl friends," he chuckled.

"Why don't you have a girlfriend yet? You're handsome and a good guy," she suddenly became interested in his life.

That's Bela for you, she can strike up a conversation with anyone and never get bored. She likes hearing about people's lives and their experiences.

"Okay, I'm flattered. Let me fan myself," Mahir joked.

"Don't get too excited, mister. I can take back my words anytime," she teased, pouting.

"I don't have a girlfriend because I haven't felt that magical connection with anyone yet. It doesn't mean I don't want to date. I'm just waiting for that moment with the right person at the right time in my life," he explained, then quickly added, "But I'm not ready for marriage right now. I want to enjoy being single for a while. When I get bored of that, then I'll think about having a girlfriend," he winked at her.

"Oh my god! You think just like me," she exclaimed.

"Really?" he was surprised.

"Yeah," she gushed with a smile.

"What do you do for a living? You look like you're not a student," she observed, trailing her eyes over his attire, a biscuit-colored shirt and black pants. He exuded goodness, with his charming personality as a bonus.

"No, I'm not a student. I completed my MBA and now I work as an event manager. I plan to go abroad soon and start my own company there," he explained.

"Wow, you have big dreams. That's impressive."

"What about you? Your sister mentioned you're going to Mumbai for the first time?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm heading to Mumbai for a job opportunity. I just finished my graduation, and coincidentally, I'm also interested in your field. I've applied for an assistant position in a big company and I'm hoping for the best," she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement about her new journey.

"What a coincidence! You'll do great," he assured her.

"I hope so..."

*****

Friendship begins 😍

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