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The Delayed Train - contd

by Lakshmi Menon
(Bangalore, India)

Back to page 1 of the story.

Meera lost touch with her during those years,
Before she could speak, Viji held out a silver-embossed invitation card. “We’re finally getting married, Meera. This Sunday. With his mother’s blessing.” She added the last words with a mischievous smile.

Meera stared in shock. Jose nodded quietly. “I never married anyone else. How could I? I had already given my promise to Viji. She was my wife in my heart, all these twenty-seven years.”

Just then, little Apoorv toddled out, rubbing his eyes.

Viji’s face softened as she looked at him. “So you’re a grandmother already, and here we are—about to start our married life. Life is strange, isn’t it?”

As Meera guided Viji inside, her friend whispered, her eyes glistening: “Jose’s mother is on her deathbed now. Only at the end did she agree to see me… and bless us. After losing so many precious years.”

Meera took her hand silently, unable to find words for the storm of emotions swelling inside her.