That day I was on the bench at Diyatalawa station waiting for the train. The station master informed that the train which was going to Badulla at around 4.30 pm will arrive in 20 minutes. So I had to spend another time there in vain. It is a known fact that it is very cold in this quarter. And the cold air currents flowing through the stage were so great that my pimples bloomed. I think it was around 8 degrees at that moment. Even though Diyatalawa town, which has a very beautiful environment, is my hometown, I couldn't bear the cold either.

"Now is the time," I heard the man sitting on the bench across from me say to himself.

I also looked at him and agreed with his word with a smile.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going to meet my friends," I replied.

"And you?" I asked.

"I am going to Badulla," he replied.

Later, to everyone's delight, we heard the sound of the train's horn coming from afar.

But it is well known that there is no shortage of people. Most days my seat was the footboard. But it was difficult to stay there because of the cold, so I was able to get into the train as soon as the train stopped.

The train had to wait for an additional 10 minutes as it was being loaded.

Traveling by train these days requires a lot of common sense.

Because thieves have increased with the excitement of the country, so I was anxious to keep the bag close to me.

After starting the train journey, a cute lady sitting next to me asked me to give her my bag.

It must have been because of the awkward position she was in.

After walking a little further, a middle-aged woman began to wail saying, "Oh, my phone is missing." and she started crying.

She understood the situation I was in. When I called her number, it was too late.

I advised her to get down at the next train station and file a police complaint.

She explained that today is a very worst day for her and told her to be more careful from now on.

Regardless of the start, Emily found a seat after the passing two stations into the journey.

Eagerly awaiting their long awaited reunion to go to her best friend Sarah's house in the tranquil countryside, Emily sat and thought.

As the train speed along, Emily struck up a conversation with a friendly passenger named Olivia, who was sitting next to her. They exchanged pleasantries, shared stories of their travels and the joy of reuniting with loved ones.

Olivia smiled warmly at Emily. "So, you're going to see your best friend? There's something special about reconnecting with people who know us so well, isn't there?"

Emily nodded, excitement in her eyes. "Absolutely! Sarah and I have been friends since childhood. We've shared countless memories together, and I can't wait to create new ones."

The conversation continued, easing the monotony of the train journey. Emily shared with Olivia about her own adventures and the wonderful people she met along the way.

The exchange of stories and experiences fueled Emily's sense of curiosity and wanderlust.

However, the calm was interrupted by an unexpected twist midway through the journey. The train shuddered and screeched to a halt, leaving the passengers bewildered and full of questions. Worried murmurs drifted through the cabins, and Emily's heart sank at the thought of derailing their plans.

But my guess, knowing the mountains well, was that a mound of earth had collapsed across the railway.

Turning to Olivia, Ma expressed her concern. "I wonder what's going on. Do you think we'll be stuck here long?"

Olivia gave a reassuring smile. "I'm not sure, honey, but these things happen sometimes. My guess is right. A fairly large rock fell while crossing the railroad tracks.

And there is little we can do other than wait for the situation to resolve itself. Let's try to make the most of it."

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Determined to find comfort in the midst of uncertainty, Emily followed Olivia's instructions and made her way to the train exit. It seemed that many people got off the train and helped with the related work. Now it is 3.05 in the evening. I said to Olivia with a smile that because of this, I will miss dinner. In a few moments, the fog will surely cover the mountains.

Sounds of nature - birds chirping and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. The forest called us, giving him a break from the jam of the stopped train.

Emily and Olivia began walking a little further into the lush wilderness. Her mind was still filled with thoughts of Sarah and their loving friendship. Olivia's words echoed in her ears, reminding her of the strength and joy of being reunited with loved ones.

Emily found a secluded spot, beside a lonely stream, where she sat on a patch of moss under the shade of a towering tree. Memories of laughter and sharing experiences with Sarah filled her thoughts.

Olivia joined her and sat on a small rock nearby. She looked at Emily, a knowing smile on her face. "Friendships like yours are rare and precious. They are like the thread that connects us to our true selves. Cherish every moment you have together."

Emily nodded, a lazy smile playing on her lips. "You're right Olivia. Sarah is like a sister to me. Even though our plans got in the way, I'm grateful for the moments we shared and the bond we formed."

As the two continued their conversation, their voices mingled with the soothing sounds of nature. They found comfort and strength in each other's presence, embracing the serenity of the forest while awaiting news of the continuation of their journey.

Time passed slowly and from a distance they could see the locomotive stopped and called out.. She wondered if Sarah knew about the delay and if they should adjust their plans for the day. Restlessness began to creep up on her, urging her to explore the offerings of the forest and to forget the halted journey for a moment.

Olivia noticed Emily's growing nervousness and smiled knowingly. "Emily, why don't we take a little walk in the woods? The woods have a way of bringing clarity and easing troubling thoughts.

Emboldened by Olivia's words, Emily stood up, feeling the earth beneath her feet and the cool breeze on her skin. The forest seemed to welcome her, its embrace inviting her to explore its mysteries.

Emily is a keen scout and her adventures in the forest are trivial. She follows a narrow path winding through the trees, each step bringing her deeper into the heart of nature's sanctuary. Accompanying her journey was a symphony of sighs guiding her path.

As Emily walked, instead of an open acceptance of the wonders around her, her mind began to quiet down. The smell of wet earth and the songs of unseen birds weaved together, creating an enchanting environment.

"We have been walking, haven't we?" Olivia said that because the train was out of sight. I agreed with her opinion, although it wasn't dark yet, the forest was engulfing the darkness due to the dead trees. Later, when we both turned back and walked for a short distance, suddenly the peace of the forest was broken like a mirror breaking. A roaring sound filled the air. Emily's heart raced as she saw a large leopard emerge from the thicket.

I grabbed Olivia's hand and started yelling. Suddenly the leopard snarled at us and we jumped to our sides. I hit it with a big stone near me. Then it went back a little and I grabbed a nearby long stick and stretched it towards it, and Olivia, who acted immediately, hit it with another stone.

I turned the dog's attention towards me saying 'take some help' and started running in the mountains.

Fear gripped her, and instinct as she sped through the woods,

I suddenly fell into a big hole. I couldn't imagine how long I would be unconscious.

It was a stone hole. My leg also started hurting. I think my leg was bruised.

I screamed for help and no one seemed to be around. I looked at the time and it must have been an hour since the incident happened. Then I realized what happened to me.

I cried. Surely they couldn't find where I was.

My entire journey was disrupted.

"I couldn't even ask for Olivia's phone number," I told myself.

I tried to contact my friend by phone but there was no signal.

I think they tried hard to find me according to Olivia's message, but one gold I have to pay by fasting in this cave.

Unable to think of what to do, I began to wonder what to do!!

Gradually the darkness began to fall. The fear in me gradually increased. How much will my friend and my parents be afraid of me?

Since I was a scout at school, I always kept a medicine with me. Luckily, it treated my leg pain and put medicine on the wounds.

However, my curiosity pushed me to find a way out of the cave.

When I got up with difficulty and examined the hole, I realized that it continued to run like a road.

Apparently it is naturally formed. But how?

However, due to my curiosity, I decided to explore the cave.

I continued walking along the hole and the darkness was barely noticeable to me because of the flashlight on my phone.

Just after the end of the path I came from, the hole suddenly became quite large and was illuminated by a small diamond-like stone.

I couldn't believe my eyes. They were everywhere and I put two small pieces of stone in my bag and turned off the torch of the phone and picked up one of the stones.

I observed them carefully and I had never seen them before. I was hesitant about the value of these stones despite how amazing nature is.

In fact this huge hollow section was as big as a bedroom.

"Did I even find Ravana's site?" I told myself.

From there the road split into two. I couldn't figure out what to do. I tried tossing the coin and I decided to go left at this split.

And as a habit from my childhood, I did not forget to mark the waymarks on the way I came.

It was something my father taught me. Now it's 8:19 and I didn't realize the time was passing.

When I came home, I remembered that my mother had given me a packet of biscuits because my hunger had doubled, so I filled my stomach with three biscuits.

Then I began the journey again with difficulty and the blue light and stones made my journey easier.

I had come a little way when I heard the sound of a stream. I guessed it must be a stream of water flowing from a spring.

However, what makes me suspicious is how this hole runs into the ground. But I started thinking from there. How far will this extend? If it goes any further, will there be enough oxygen? I was alone between two worlds in my head.

to be continue..!!