My parents would have a heart attack if they knew what I'm planning.

Of course, I lied to them. I told them I'm going to spend the night in Neeti's house.

My train left the station in our city at 9 o'clock. I'd reach Mohali by 11:30, and by then Shubman's match would have finished too.

I didn't tell Shubman I'm coming either. I wanted to surprise him.

At 8:30, I took my bag in which I had packed the things I would need in one night, and told goodbye to my parents and left my home.

I wished, when it was far too late, that I had told Neeti, at least, what I had been planning. She would never have let me go alone.

I'm such a fool.

-----------------

The train arrived half an hour late. That would make me too late to reach Mohali to suprise him, I thought, a little sadly.

Unless, of course, he got Man of the Match! I thought, grinning, in which case, I'd be just on time.

My spirits were extremely high as the train started. I'm going to meet the love of my life so soon!

It's normal to be happy, I told myself. It's normal to have such a huge grin on my face.

Until, I noticed that my coach was nearly empty except for a group of young, wild-looking men.

For the first time, I wondered if I hadn't taken a rather hasty step. Travelling alone at night in a train...is it safe?

I pushed the chilling thoughts out of my mind and tried to focus on how Shubman would likely react when he saw me.

I'm going to kiss him so hard...I closed my eyes and imagined us kissing. I imagined me caressing his dimples. I imagined his hand in my hair, mine around his waist, and me kissing him for ever and ever and ever...

One hour passed and everything was still alright. I began to think I'd been panicking unnecessarily.

I closed my eyes and imagined Shubman and me together some more. I will definitely tell him that I can't stand being away from him more than a couple of days maximum. How could we overcome that particular problem? I could drop out of college, I thought jokingly and travel everywhere with him.

My parents would disown me, though.

Another hour passed like that. Now the train was completely empty except me and the group of men.

They were making a lot of noise in their place. But they didn't bother me, sitting alone in my corner.

It was as if they didn't know I was there in the compartment.

Then, however, I noticed the eyes of one of them fixed on me. It wasn't a nice look.

I began to feel scared again. I glanced at my watch. It was 11:50. We should be reaching in a few minutes.

I crossed my fingers and prayed for the station.

Finally, the train pulled onto the Mohali station.

I walked to the door fast and alighted. The station was more or less deserted.

I felt lost in the unknown place with no one to ask for instructions, except my fellow passengers, who had got down behind me. Of course, I wouldn't ask them anything!

I decided that I had a to call Shubman now. It would spoil the surprise, but I didn't really have a choice.

I took out my phone and unlocked it.

"Hey, pretty girl!"

I froze at the sound behind me.

"I'm speaking to you, darling," said the voice, sounding much closer. As I turned in panic, I saw that same person who had been watching me, standing right behind me. My heart went cold.

"Wh-What do you want?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"You look lonely, sweetheart. How about you join us for the night?" he leered.

"No, thank you," I said, backing away.

"Are you sure?" He pressed forward.

I acted fast. I pressed Shubman's contact, praying with all my heart that he picks up.

Thankfully, he picked up on the first ring.

"Allie, you watched my batting?" he began eagerly.

"Shubman," I choked. "I'm at the station. Could you come to pick me up?"

The man in front of me had caught on to my plan. He stepped forward and tried to grab my phone as I heard Shubman say in a confused voice, "Which station?"

I whirled around, desperately holding on to my phone.

"The Mo-Mohali station, please..." My voice was shaking out of control.

"Allie, are you ok...?" he began.

The man pulled at my phone.

"Shubman!" I screamed in a terrified voice. "Please come fast!"

"ALLIE, WHAT--" was the last thing I heard before he snatched my phone from my hand and dropped it on the ground.

I was surrounded. It was too late.