Between Stops...

The metro was alive with its usual rush, a sea of women moving through their day. I found a spot near the door, and right in front of me stood two girls—so different, yet perfectly in sync.

One had long, neatly plaited hair, a simple cotton bag slung over her shoulder. A black bindi rested on her forehead, with a faint trace of kunkuma above it, as if she had hurriedly applied it that morning. Her feet, tucked into flower-bowed slippers, completed her effortless grace.

The other was effortlessly stylish. Her nails, decorated with delicate nail art, tapped lightly against her phone. She wore  Levi’s jeans and Crocs—an unusual combination, but one that suited her.

I love listening to college girls talk. Not in a nosy way, just out of curiosity. It’s fascinating to see how they are now, how we once were. There’s something refreshing about their unfiltered conversations, a kind of innocence wrapped in laughter.

Today, the stylish one was upset—she had messed up her MC, and it weighed on her. Frustration laced her voice as she sighed.

The girl with the plait listened, not with empty words but with a warmth that made everything lighter. No judgment, no indifference—just pure reassurance. And then, as if she knew exactly what to do, she shifted the mood. A joke here, a silly remark there. Within moments, the stylish girl wasn’t just smiling—she was laughing. Whatever had bothered her a moment ago no longer mattered.

As the train slowed at a station, the plaited girl got ready to leave. But before stepping off, she turned back, made a playful face—one last effort to make sure her friend didn’t just smile but laughed. The stylish girl grinned, shaking her head, waving goodbye.

That moment stayed with me.

How beautiful it is to have someone who sees beyond appearances, beyond differences. No jealousy, no judgment—just the simple desire to bring happiness to a friend.

Later, as I sipped chai by the window, I thought about that girl again—the one who kept turning back until the train vanished.

Having someone who says, It’s okay, sail on, is a blessing. But being that person? That’s rare. That’s beautiful.

Kindness is free, yet only a few choose to give it.

And today, in the middle of a crowded metro, I saw someone who did.

"A motherly lap, a sisterly shoulder, a bestie’s embrace—women are the softest strength we lean on.

"This Women’s Day, life has proved that these connections make it beautifully whole."❤️🫶😇