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John was traveling from Sydney to Canberra by bus. He settled into his seat and looked casually at the side seat next to his, which wasn't occupied yet.

At that moment his phone rang. It was his wife, who asked if his journey from Delhi to Sydney was okay. When John was busy answering her call, he saw a beautiful girl in her mid-twenties come and sit beside him.

John hung up and smiled at the girl in the next seat. They started a conversation as soon as the bus started moving. Three hours passed talking on different topics, and they reached Canberra.

John was feeling a strange temptation. He was too anxious, and then it happened. When getting down from the bus, that girl Tina shook hands, slipped a card into his hand, and smiled...

John got off the bus in Canberra, still holding the small card Tina had slipped into his hand. It was a simple card, with her name and a phone number was written on it. He could still saw her smile when she gave it to him.

The three-hour ride had passed quickly. They talke about music, books, funny childhood memories, and many random things.during this long conversation, Tina laughed a lot and her laughter made John felt light, happy and comfortable. For a moment, he forgot the world outside including his wife. But the truth was, John was a married man. Just before Tina sat beside him, he had spoken to his wife on the phone, telling her he was safe and fine. Now, another woman’s number was lying in his hand.

John froze at the bus station. His mind was in a fight. One part said, “It’s just a card. No one will know if you call her.” The other part reminded him, “This is cheating. You promised to stay loyal to your wife.”

Temptation is strange. A smile, a kind word, or even a simple moment can feel strong e to break a person control. John remembered how Tina was talking,how she was leaning closer to him while talking and how she made him feel like they had known each other for years. Was it love? No, it was just the strange excitement that comes when you want something you should nt have.

He pushed the card into his pocket and walked toward his hotel. But with each step, it felt heavier. His wife trusted him. She believed in his loyalty. How could a stranger, met by chance, shake that trust so quickly?

In the hotel lobby, John stopped. He pulled out the card again. Her number almost glowed under the bright light, daring him to use it. He remembered her last words on the bus: “Maybe we’ll meet again. Life is full of surprises.”

His hand shook. The phone was in the other hand. He could call her right now. No one would know. But would he be able to face himself after this? Would he still look at his wife with the same loyalty and honsty?

He stood there for a while, not knowing what to do as he was struggling to decide.finally he took a deep breath and tore the card into tiny pieces and threw them in the trash can near by. A wave of relief ran into him. The temptation was gone. But inside, there was also a small bitterness. Why had he even thought about it? Why had his heart raced for someone else?

The answer was clear: humans are weak when it comes to desire. But real strength is in choosing the right thing, even when the wrong one feels sweet.

That night, John called his wife. His voice was softer and more sure.
“How was your day?” she asked kindly.
“Long and tiring,” John replied, “but I missed you more than anything.”

This time, every word was true. The memory of Tina’s smile had faded, but his wife’s place in his heart remained strong.

John learnt something important on this journey: two-timing doesn’t always start with big steps. Sometimes it begins with a card, a smile, or a moment of weaknes. But at the end, the choice is ours,.regret or peace. John chose loyalty, and in that choice, he found calmness.

Temptation is easy, but loyalty is harder. John’s choi ce shows us which one leaves a peaceful heart.

i am inviting my friends @nimra-khan, @hina-imran and @kouba01