As she walked into the restaurant

My heart was in my mouth

God, she is still beautiful

After all these years, I thought

She walked towards me with a smile in those cryptic eyes

Which had mesmerized me

During our courtship days

We hugged each other

A little longer than needed

Her unmistakable warmth

The fragrance of her

Overwhelmed my senses

After exchanging pleasantaries

A defeaning silence hung between us

So much we both had to say

But not a word spoken

We sat there watching the sunset

I have to leave

It's getting late, she said

Don't, I muttered under my breath

I wish you had said these when we were together, she replied

Her voice choked

Can't we....I pleaded

We weren't meant to be together

We were just a phase, she replied

Even if the memories haunts both of us till date

I never stopped loving you Meera, I cried

I know Shyam, she replied

Even you have stayed in my heart

After we parted our ways

Love isn't about being together always Shyam

True love stays till our death bed

You were my first and last

Even if you found someone else

Now you realise, what you lost

But I don't wish to charter that path again

Saying so, she caressed my forehead

And left

©LR