The last station

A Meeting After a Decade

Pankaj and Archana met at a railway station, ten years after their divorce. Pankaj was waiting for his train when he saw Archana standing by the platform, looking lost. As their eyes met, they both froze for a moment, and then Pankaj walked towards her.

For a long time, they stood there, looking at each other yet pretending not to. They had spent seven years together, and the memories came flooding back. Finally, Pankaj broke the silence.

"Archana, is that you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Archana nodded, her eyes welling up with tears. "Pankaj, hi."

They sat down on a bench, and the conversation flowed as if no time had passed. They talked about their lives, their children, and their memories together. Pankaj learned about Archana's second marriage and her two kids, and Archana heard about Pankaj's daughter and his life.

As they talked, Pankaj couldn't help but notice how much Archana had changed. She looked thinner, and her face lacked its former glow. Archana, too, noticed the white streaks in Pankaj's hair and the lines on his face.

As they sat together, reminiscing about their past, Pankaj turned to Archana and said, "Do you remember our honeymoon trip? We traveled to that beautiful island, and we were so in love."

Archana's face lit up with a smile. "How can I forget? We spent hours just cuddled up on the beach, watching the sunset. And that private boat ride... I'll never forget the way you held me in your arms, the wind in our hair, and the stars shining above us."

Pankaj's eyes sparkled with memories. "And our first night together... I was so nervous, but you made me feel so at ease. You were my everything, and I wanted to make that night special for you."

Archana's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she couldn't help but smile. "It was special, Pankaj. You made me feel like a queen, and I'll always treasure that memory."

Pankaj's voice dropped to a whisper. "I remember the way you looked at me, the way you smiled, and the way you made me feel like I was the only person in the world. I'll never forget that feeling, Archana."

As they sat in comfortable silence, the memories washing over them, Archana leaned her head on Pankaj's shoulder. "I'm glad we had those moments, Pankaj. They make the pain worth it, don't you think?"

Pankaj wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. "Yes, they do. I'll always cherish those memories, and I'll always love you, Archana."

Lost in the haze of those shared recollections, Pankaj's mind drifted back to that very night on the island, as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. He could almost feel the warm tropical air, the distant crash of waves against the shore. They had been wandering the beach after dinner, hand in hand, when he suddenly paused, a playful urgency in his voice. "Wait, I left something in the hotel room," he had said, a hint of mischief lighting his eyes.

Archana's gaze had sparkled with curiosity. "What is it?" she asked, a sly smile spreading across her face.

Pankaj had stood up, taking her hand. "Come with me, and I'll show you," he replied, his voice low and husky.

Her heart had skipped a beat as she followed him back to their suite, the path lit by the soft glow of lanterns. The moment they crossed the threshold, the air between them ignited. They crashed into a passionate kiss, cradling each other, hugging and kissing as if the world beyond the room had ceased to exist. Their love-making was intense, passionate, and all-consuming—bodies entwined in a rhythm born of pure, unspoken need. They lost themselves in each other, forgetting the world around them. Time stood still as they surrendered to their desires, their love overflowing like a fountain.

Afterward, as they lay entwined, catching their breath, Archana had looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "I love you, Pankaj," she whispered.

Pankaj's voice had been hoarse with emotion. "I love you too, Archana. Forever and always."

Reluctantly, they had parted from that embrace, slipping back into the night, their connection deepened, their hearts fuller. And now, years later, on this crowded platform, those echoes lingered, making the present ache all the more sweetly.

The train announcement echoed through the station, pulling them back to the moment. Pankaj realized he had to leave. As the train was about to depart, he stood up, his eyes welling up with tears. Archana looked up at him, and before she could say anything, Pankaj fell to his knees, his head in her lap, and sobbed uncontrollably. Archana was taken aback, but she gently placed her hand on his head, trying to comfort him.

"I'm sorry, Archana," Pankaj whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "I'm so sorry for not being able to make it work."

Archana's eyes filled with tears as she looked at Pankaj, broken and vulnerable. She gently stroked his hair, feeling a mix of emotions—sadness, regret, and love.

"Pankaj, please don't cry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It was meant to be this way. We were just passengers on the same train, traveling to different destinations."

Pankaj looked up at her, his eyes red and swollen. "But why does it hurt so much?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Archana smiled through her tears. "Because we were meant to be, Pankaj. We were meant to love, to laugh, and to learn from each other. And now, we're meant to let go."

The train's whistle blew, signaling its departure. Pankaj stood up, his eyes locked on Archana's. They hugged each other tightly, holding on to the memories of their time together.

As they pulled away, Archana looked at Pankaj and said, "Life is like this station, Pankaj. We come, we meet, and we move on. Let's be grateful for the time we had together and cherish the memories."

Pankaj nodded, his eyes still wet with tears. "Thank you, Archana. Thank you for being my first love, my first heartbreak, and my first lesson in life."

Archana smiled, her eyes shining with tears. "Thank you, Pankaj. Thank you for being my everything, if only for a little while."

As the train pulled away, Pankaj and Archana let go of each other's hands, watching as the distance grew between them. They smiled at each other, tears streaming down their faces. Pankaj's voice trembled as he spoke one last time, "Archana, I... I want to live my whole life while seeing into your eyes."

Archana's eyes welled up as she replied, "Pankaj, please... don't play with my innocent soul. I can't bear it."

The air was thick with emotion as they stood there, frozen in time. Pankaj's eyes burned with a deep longing, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't help it, Archana. I'm trapped in your eyes, and I don't want to escape."

Archana's voice cracked as she spoke, "Pankaj, please... stop. You're killing me."

The train's whistle blew again, a haunting melody that echoed through the station. As it finally pulled away, Pankaj's eyes never left Archana's, his voice echoing through the distance. "I love you, Archana... I'll always love you."

Archana's voice was lost in the wind, "I love you too, Pankaj... forever and always."

Pankaj turned and walked away, leaving Archana to her thoughts. As he boarded the train, he looked back, and their eyes met one last time. Archana disappeared into the crowd, leaving Pankaj with a heart full of memories and a soul full of longing.

The station was empty now, except for the echoes of their memories, the whispers of their love, and the tears they had shed. The train had moved on, taking their hearts with it, but leaving behind a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.