Goodbyes..

The world continued as it was. People went their ways without a second glance. Trains hooted and so did the vendors. Passengers ran one another down in order to board their trains. A child or two cried here and there. The air smelled the worst it could.

But it had stopped for them. They stood there on the platform as their lives came to a standstill. Choices had been made, and the results had to be borne.

She felt a tear escape out of the corner of her eye.

"You needn't cry, ya know. There's nothing we can do about this," he whispered gently.

"I know."

He wiped away the tear just like he had wiped many other innumerable ones off the same cheek. This reminded him of his promise to do the same, for eternity. Had he only known...

Only five minutes were left for the train to arrive. She could feel goosebumps on her skin. "So, this is it?"

He hung his head low and stared at the floor. "Hmm."

They stood holding hands for a while. Neither said anything. This is it...

There was the pain of separation, the fear of never meeting again, the anxiety about their futures, the excitement of the new lives they were about to begin. What dominated, was the desire to go back on their choices. But choices had been made.

"You are going to a new place. Be a good boy, don't do anything wrong or immoral. Don't get into bad company. Eat properly and don't waste your time. Make use of this opportunity to the fullest. Don't miss out on your sleep, you know you get headaches," she went on, repeating the sermon she had so often delivered. He nodded his head like he always did.

"YOU, miss? YOU better eat properly. And don't fight with your parents. And control your anger," he retorted.

This was too much for her. Tears filled her eyes and she whispered," I love you."

"I love you more, most, more than anything else," he whispered back and kissed her forehead. His train resounded it's final horn in the background.

"Take care."

"I will."

"Promise?"

"Yes," and he smiled.

He turned away and so did she. No goodbyes. "Goodbye" is the worst phrase of all.

There weren't any people around, no vendors, no trains, no smells, no platform, nothing. Just the two of them, with their backs to each other.

He boarded the train and she left the platform. Neither of them turned back. There wasn't any need to. They were sure of their own love. They were sure of the other's love. There wasn't any doubt.

The engine blared, and began leaving the station. They still didn't look at each other.

Because what they weren't sure of, was if they will ever meet again...