Aami wasn't one to give up easily. If Aarush wasn't going to part with the lower berth willingly, she had a Plan B. And what better way to bond with a stranger than through a game?
She turned to him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Truth or dare?"
Aarush raised a brow, smirking. "Really? That's your strategy?"
"Scared?" she teased.
"Alright," he leaned back. "Truth."
Aami thought for a moment. "What's the biggest risk you've ever taken?"
Aarush's smirk faltered, if only for a second. He recovered quickly. "Taking this train journey."
She narrowed her eyes. "That's not a real answer."
"It is real to me."
She let it slide, sensing there was something more beneath his words. "Fine, your turn."
"Truth or dare?"
Aami hesitated before boldly saying, "Dare."
Aarush leaned in slightly. "Let me give you a foot massage."
Aami's eyes widened. "That's your dare?"
"You're backing out?"
She scoffed. "Fine."
She stretched her legs onto his lap, expecting him to tease, but instead, his hands were firm and confident as he pressed into her sole. A shiver ran up her spine, and she quickly masked it with a laugh. "You've done this before."
He grinned. "I'm full of surprises."
The game continued, the dares growing bolder. As they laughed and teased, Aami decided it was time to introduce herself. "So, Aarush, where you from, and what do you do?"
He smirked. "I'm a customs officer at Cochin International Airport, and I'm a Punjabi settled in Delhi"
Aami's heart skipped a beat. A customs officer? She composed herself quickly. "That sounds… interesting."
"And you?" he asked.
Aami hesitated for a second before lying. "I'm a doctor. AIIMS, Delhi."
Aarush gave her an impressed nod. "Smart and beautiful, huh?"
Aami felt warmth creep up her cheeks. She cleared her throat. "Flattery won't win you the game."
Aarush chuckled. "It's not part of the game, just an observation."
The air between them thickened with an unspoken chemistry, their playful exchanges turning into something more. Just as their banter picked up, Aarush's phone buzzed. His playful expression turned serious as he read the message. Aami noticed his fingers tighten around the device.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
Aarush hesitated before sighing. "My boss wants me to deboard at Calicut."
Aami frowned. "Why?"
"Someone has been asking about my seat on this train."
A chill crept up her spine. "You have enemies?"
He nodded slowly. "I think it's time to open up."
Aami studied him carefully. "Then start talking."
Aarush exhaled deeply. "I have history with a smuggling gang from Malappuram. Early in my career, I turned a blind eye to some of their activities. But later, I trapped them in a big gold smuggling bust. Since then, they've been after me."
Aami felt her pulse quicken. This was no longer just a game. Their journey had taken a dark turn.
And she wasn't sure if she was ready for what came next.