A Tale of Love and Honor

Sunset Greetings

A Planned Serendipity on Platform No. 3

It was just a few days before Diwali, and the atmosphere was electric with anticipation and joy. It's a time when every home begins to shimmer with preparations, adoring their spaces with colorful lights and oil lamps. Children's laughter filled with streets with crackers and it felt like a playful buzz around the streets.

The sky started to glow with the promise of fireworks. There's an almost tangible sense of community and togetherness, a feeling that everyone is part of something special and unifying. I was walking on the street in the pre-Diwali vibes

Then my girlfriend came towards me by calling my name, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness.

We both walk on over the streets feeling the pre-Diwali buzz. Then"

"Hey, so...my mom is coming to take me home for the holidays," she began, a slight hesitation in her tone. "She'll be here by tomorrow morning."

"Oh, that's great! You must be excited to see her," I replied, though I couldn't help. The pang of sadness at the thought of her leaving, even if just for a short while.

"Yeah, I am," she said, then paused. "But... I was thinking. Maybe we could, you know, make sure she meets you? Like casually?"

I smiled at her careful wording. "Casually? As in, a 'coincidental meeting?"

"Exactly," she laughed softly. "We could pretend to bump into each other at the railway station. She's really friendly and mature, so I don't think she'll misunderstand."

I thought about it for a moment. "You think she'll buy it?"

"I think so. We just have to make it look natural. You'll be at the station when we arrive, and I'll act surprised to see you there. It'll be perfect!" she said, her voice more confident now.

"I'm in," I said, already imagining the moment. "I'll be there with my best 'just passing by' expression."

She giggled. "Okay, it's a plan. I'm sure she'll like you."

And so, with our plan set, we waited for the day.

The next day evening'

She texted me "We're starting from the home."

Meanwhile! "I am waiting at the railway station for 2 hours."

I said, "Come on." Are you there,? already... She replied. 'I sent 😍 ." She replied 😘

The sun was setting, casting a warm golden glow over the busting railway station with gentle cool winds. I stood on Platform No. 3, trying to calm my racing heart. Today was the day I would meet her mother, the woman who had raised the love of my life. I glanced around nervously, trying to look casual as if I had just happened to be here.

Then, through the crowd, I saw her. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and she smiled, that smile I couldn't resist. Beside her was a woman who could only be her mother-elegant, graceful, with a smile twinkle in her eyes that I saw in my girlfriend's every day.

I took a deep breath and walked towards them, feigning surprise. "Hey! What a coincidence to see you here!"

She played along perfectly, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?" She turned to her mother, "Mom, this is my friend I've told you about."

Her mother smiled warmly at me, and I could see where my girlfriend got her kindness. "It's lovely to meet you! My daughter mentioned you a few times. Are you from around here?"

"Yes, I am," I replied, shaking her hand. "I was just passing by when I saw her. What a small world!"

The conversation flowed naturally from there. Her mother was as friendly and down-to-earth as my girlfriend had assured me. As we chatted about the town, our college life, and upcoming Diwali celebrations, the conversation took a fun turn.

"You know," her mother began with a playful smile, "when she was little, she used to be obsessed with collecting bugs. She'd bring them all into the house-little critters everywhere! One time, I found a jar of them in the kitchen cupboard!"

"Mom!" my girlfriend exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "You're not supposed to tell people that!"

I couldn't help but laugh. "That's adorable! I wish I'd known you back then I would've helped you find even more bugs!"

"Oh, don't encourage her," her mother teased. "She was quite the handful."

My girlfriend shot me a playful glare. "Alright, mister, now it's my turn. Did you know he used to bunk classes just to watch movies? But don't let that fool you, he's top of the class. It's like he has a photographic memory or something."

Her mother looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Bunking classes, huh? And here I thought you were the model student."

I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. "Guilty as charged. But I swear, I never missed an exam, and I always made up for it with late-night study sessions,"

"Well, as long as you're keeping up with your studies," her mother said with a wink," I remember doing a bit of that myself back in the day."

The three of us shared a laugh, and I felt the last of my nerves melt away. Her mother was so easygoing, taking everything in stride. The more we talked, the more I could see where my girlfriend got her warmth and sense of humor.

As the train's horn blew, signaling it was time for them to board, I couldn't help but feel a bit sad that our meeting was so brief. But the warmth in her mother's eyes as she said goodbye gave me hope. She liked me at least, I hoped so.

"Take care of yourself," Her mother said with a smile. "And don't be a stranger."

I won't," I promised, waving as they boarded the train.

As the train started moving slowly, My girlfriend stood over the train door with a sullen look. That I can understand her pain of leaving me. She didn't even wave her hand but her silky hair did that for me.

Standing at the door, the train moving slowly her hair waving and the beauty of her face and sparks of her eyes made me feel so proud that I was loved by an angel. I feel complete with that glare.

It was a fantastic evening, and I was more hopeful than ever about our future.

She went inside the train and a few minutes later...........