A Meeting Like No Other

Buzz...Buzz...

I picked up the phone.

"Hello?", I spoke.

"Hi, Jack. Remember me?", said a man on the other side.

"No? Who is this?"

"Mark"

"Mark! My dear friend Mark! It has been a long time, my friend! How are you?"

"I am good, Jack. It's nice to speak to my dear friend after so long. August 13 is coming. You remember, Jack?"

"Yes, Mark... I remember"

And I was taken back 13 years. That was when we had parted. Mark was my best friend. There was no one in the world like him. I remember that even after parting, we had kept in touch over calls for an year or so. And all these years when we have been apart, I never forgot him. He has been like a divine source of support and comfort for me, for whenever there was no one else, he was always there, in my heart. That night, 13 years ago, we decided to meet again on 13 August, after 13 years.

"So, where are we meeting, Jack?"

"You say it, my friend."

"The park beside my home? You remember that?"

"I do remember it, Mark. At what time?"

"10 pm, you okay with it?"

"I am okay, Jack. I'll be there."

13 Aug, 10pm

The park gate creaked as I entered it. There were only a handful of people there. I looked up at the night sky. Stars were shining bright. I walked on the grass, trying to find my friend. I could feel Mark's presence. I neared to the other end of the park. There, on a bench, someone was sitting.

"Is that you, Mark?", I asked.

"No, it's his brother. He asked me to give you this letter.", said the voice that had talked to me on call the other day.

And I was handed a letter. I read it in the park light:

"Hey Jack, How are you? It has been so long of a time, my dear friend. I hope you are all right. I know, you are wondering why are you reading this. The truth is, my friend, after we stopped corresponding, I started feeling something in my chest. I also started having this cough, sometimes with blood. I asked doctors if we would be able to meet. They said no. But, I did not believe them. And see, here we are, meeting after so long of a time. I knew you would not forget me. So, how could I forget you? I thank my brother for making this meeting possible. And I wish you all the happiness in the world.

Your friend,

Mark"

And I sat there on the grass, looked up at the stars, as tears fell from my eyes.