Embers Of A Lost Love

By Vidhi Bhide

The sun was readying itself to set, casting dappled shadows through the city’s ancient trees. An earthy smell filled the air as fate decided that day to cross the paths of two lives in the heart of Kolkata city where the old and new age blended through traditions and modernity.. At a bustling bus stop near the Howrah Bridge, amidst the unending chatter of commuters and the distant honking of cars, two people stood on the precipice of a reunion unanticipated.

‘She’ a graceful woman in her mid-thirties, adjusted her sunglasses while checking her watch. Her world had transformed since her college days, when she had known love in its purest form with a young man. They were bold enough to dream of a future together but ‘life’ had struck, leaving them no choice but to go on separate paths.. She was now married to Sudhir, an ambitious businessman who provided her with a comfortable and amicable life. Yet, within the depths of her soul, remained a corner untouched by time, that held memories of those fervent glances and heartfelt promises.

‘He’ now in his early thirties, had carved a life of his own as a successful artist. The path was less chosen in terms of career security but he never gave up on his passion. He was set to marry Ishani, a kind-hearted, intelligent woman who had stood by him through thick and thin. He matured at a young age and knew the ways of the world. He bore the weight of the unspoken words and many unexpressed emotions.

At the bus stop, people jostled by and her eyes inadvertently scanned the faces, until they landed on a face that felt both dear and alien. It was ‘him’ engrossed in his phone, his brows furrowed in concentration. Time seemed to stand still for ‘her’, the world around her started momentarily fading as memories crept back. The years melted away and her heart bared the past she had tried to bury.

He looked up, perhaps sensing a gaze upon him, their eyes met and a jolt of recognition passed between. There was a mixture of surprise, nostalgia, and an inexplicable sense of longing that glistened in his eyes. He blinked, as if unsure whether what he saw was real. Her heart raced as their eyes locked, each acknowledging the other's presence with a nod and hardly a word spoken.

Her heart grappled with a torrent of emotions. She had never expected to see him again, certainly not like this in the midst of her mundane daily routine. Memories of their time together flooded her mind—the genuine giggles, the dreams, the stolen moments by the Hooghly River, the filter coffee at their favorite spots, the sweet nothings they whispered and found solace in.. It was as if the past had been waiting for the right moment to resurface.

His heart drummed a rhythm of chariness. He had always wondered what had become of ‘her’ after they parted ways. Seeing her now, out of nowhere, brought back a rush of emotions he had thought were long buried. The unfinished conversations, the "what ifs," and the unspoken pledges, it all came crashing back with a force he couldn't ignore.

Time hung suspended as their gazes remained locked, the cacophony of the city fading into the background. A million words were exchanged in that moment, each trying to bridge the gap between their separate lives and the shared past held within their hearts. Reality was tugging at them and the arrival of a bus snapped them out of their universe, dispersing the charged atmosphere that had swaddled them. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Sudhir, her husband, looking at her with concern. "Are you okay, dear?" he asked, his voice shrouded with worry. She forced a smile and nodded. "Yes, just lost in my thoughts for a moment."

As the bus pulled up, the everyday hustle and bustle resumed. His gaze remained fixed on her, many words confined within him. He saw Ishani approaching perturbed, and with a heavy heart he quickly averted his gaze. ‘She’ boarded the bus with Sudhir and stole one last glance at ‘him’. Their eyes met for a brief moment, a silent understanding passing between them. Then, the bus rumbled to life, carrying her away from the unexpected encounter that had stirred up a storm of emotions.

Days turned into weeks, and the memory of that chance meeting remained etched in both their hearts. The weight of the unspoken words hung heavy, a secret they carried within themselves. Life continued and in its relentless pursuit, they returned to their routines, their marriages, and their responsibilities.

He thought about it for a few days, the hopes, dreams, regrets, and the paths they had chosen. It was a bittersweet dance of words, a connection that he cherished and felt so saddened to break off from. He never wanted to give up on her, she was the love of his life.. He had been involved in her so ardently with the purest form of affection that she had become a constant in his conscious world and had dominated his dreams in the subconscious one. He had given himself truly, completely to her and was devoted to her well being. She was the only that mattered to him, above anyone else and he was the most genuine self around her. But she had left.. and although he didn't blame her, he was never able to fill the hollow pit her absence created.. ‘Cause she had taken away a part of him with her.. How was one supposed to deal with it?

She tried to stop herself from revisiting the past, with hardly any success. Remembrances of how she encountered him were vivid in her mind even today. They were good friends in school but she couldn't stay in touch after leaving for the States to pursue higher education. He tried reaching out to her but she didn't have the time to respond between classes and assignments. Years went by and after adding him on Instagram, she randomly sent a text when she was back in India. He responded and they started talking as if picking up where they had left off. Conversation flowed easily and the words brought them closer, then came the meetings.. He came like a whirlwind in her life, spinning her off her axis. She never knew when she dropped her guard and became his steadfast. He could make her genuinely giggle even after a bad day and understood her in highs and even better in her lows. She thought it was magic when he matched her level of physical and emotional intimacy and had completely swept off her feet.

But the truth was unavoidable, the past was wonderful however no one tells you then.. If things don't work as planned the same happiness can come back to haunt you in the present, however it doesn't have to define the future. Life is complex and by weaving a tapestry of friendship, understanding, maturity, duty and responsibility a sense of acceptance can be developed. What else does it mean to grow as an individual if not this? The bus stop had witnessed the reunion of two people with a deep connection in the past. However the resilience of the human heart and the power of embracing the unexpected turns life had taken gave them courage.. To live life fully as had it been laid out for them both. They loved their respective life partners and were wholeheartedly leading a good life although a part of them was still left with each other, in those evening strolls, the talks, or somewhere in the warmth of the moments they shared.. They would always have the past, a treasure buried in the folds of time..

By Vidhi Bhide