It was one of those mornings when I was running terribly late for work. I didn’t even feel like going. But despite my reluctance, I dragged myself out of bed. I couldn’t afford to miss work—not when I was surviving in a Tier 1 city all on my own. Somehow, I managed to get ready and reached the metro station.
Looking back, I’m glad I chose to take the metro that day because of the unexpected moment of sweetness I stumbled upon.
I have a habit of observing people when I’m in public places, and that day was no exception. As I waited for the train, my attention was drawn to a girl who seemed to be in her early 20s. She was dressed in a knee-length floral dress and had tied her hair back with a bow-shaped rubber band. Her minimalistic makeup highlighted her natural beauty, and her dimples when she smiled made her look effortlessly cute—less of the “hot” type and more of the “adorable” type.
She seemed restless, pacing nervously. I wondered if she was anxious about an exam or viva. However, my assumptions turned out to be completely off the mark.
We boarded the same train, and my curiosity kept me sneaking glances at her. I wanted to figure out the reason for her nervousness—or at the very least, identify the brand of her dress. A couple of stops later, a man in his 30s stepped into the compartment. He looked like a working professional, someone far older than the girl. The moment she noticed him, her demeanor changed. She became visibly self-conscious and moved closer to stand near him.
Then, something extraordinary happened—something that left the entire compartment stunned. The girl suddenly dropped to one knee and, with a small box in hand, proposed to him. Yes, in the middle of the metro! The man, clearly taken aback, stood frozen for a couple of seconds. The tension was palpable, and I silently prayed he would say yes.
But instead of giving a straightforward answer, he helped her up and said something unexpected: “We’ll talk later.” He promised to pick her up from college for lunch, where they could discuss the matter properly.
The girl looked slightly embarrassed but nodded in agreement. The rest of the passengers couldn’t help but exchange glances, some sympathetic, others amused. As for me, my little “movie” ended there, as my stop arrived shortly after.
Even now, I find myself wondering how their story unfolded. Did he say yes over lunch? Did her courage inspire him to accept her love? Or did they part ways? Whatever the outcome, that brief encounter turned an otherwise mundane day into one I’ll never forget.
