Sunset Surprise
Adverse Serendipity on Platform No. 3
By Puvvukonvict | Published on
As I walked out of the railway station, something felt off. The moment Meera’s train departed, I was hit with a sense of incompleteness, a heavy emptiness that followed me home. Lying on my bed, I replayed every moment, every word her mother said. Did she really accept our love? I wondered. There was a lingering doubt, a nagging fear that despite her kindness, societal pressures might weigh on her decision.
At Meera’s Home
A day after her arrival, Meera’s mother couldn’t hold back her curiosity. Over dinner, she gently asked, “Meera, are you and that boy… in love?”
Meera paused. Her silence was louder than words, and her mother knew. She took Meera’s hand and softly said, “You don’t need to hide anything from me. I’ve always wanted what’s best for you. Your engineering degree is almost complete, and I’ve thought about your marriage. To be honest, the boy you introduced seems kind and thoughtful. I can sense that in his words.”
Meera’s heart skipped a beat, but before she could respond, her mother continued, her voice growing emotional. “When your father passed away, I raised you alone, shielding you from every storm. I held you so close. The thought of you leaving to live in another home, in another family’s care… it worries me. What if their customs are different? Will you be happy?”
She paused to compose herself, wiping a tear away. “But you know what? I trust you, and I believe in your happiness. I’ve seen something in that boy; he will take care of you. Next Sankranthi, when I visit, ask him to introduce us to his parents.”
Meera was speechless, overwhelmed with gratitude. She hugged her mother, her heart lightened by the acceptance she never thought would come. “Thank you, Mom,” she whispered, “I never imagined you’d say this.”
Meera couldn’t contain her happiness and rushed to call Puvvu. She spoke joyfully but didn’t reveal the conversation with her mother. “I’ll come soon, and you’ve got a precious surprise!” she teased. After the holidays, Meera texted Puvvu that she was returning.
The Waiting
When Meera told me she was coming back, I was restless. Her train was scheduled to arrive at 5 AM, but I couldn’t sleep. I reached the station at 3 AM, unable to contain my excitement. I sat on the empty platform, my heart racing with anticipation, imagining how she would look and the words we’d share after so long apart. At 4:50 AM, an announcement stated her train was delayed by an hour. I thought to call her, but she didn’t know I was waiting. The wait felt endless.
Finally, the train pulled in, and my eyes scanned the crowd until I saw Meera, radiant in the early morning light. She looked surprised as she approached. I fought the urge to hug her, but we held back.
“You’re really clingy!” Meera teased. “Just for you,” I replied with a grin.
She laughed softly. “I knew. I couldn’t wait to see you either. Okay, I can’t hold my curiosity—tell me, what’s the precious surprise?”
“Not now,” I said, smiling. “Meet me tomorrow at the lake in the evening.”
“I really can’t guess anything; I’ll have to wait till evening,” she said. We smiled, exchanging words of affection. As she prepared to leave, she teased, “Meet me at the lake—the surprise will be a big bang for you.” Her excitement was contagious, and I couldn’t help but wonder what she had planned.
The Surprise at the Lake
The next evening, as I made my way to the lake, my heart raced with anticipation. The cool breeze from the water kissed my skin as the setting sun bathed everything in a soft orange glow. I saw Meera standing by the water, her figure silhouetted against the shimmering surface. She had that mischievous smile, the kind that always made me feel something exciting was about to happen.
“Hi,” she said softly. “Hi,” I replied, smiling. “How’s your day?”
“Normal,” she said casually, as if there was nothing to share. I was shocked. “What about the surprise?” I asked.
Her smile was like a lotus in full bloom, pure and radiant, standing out even in life’s stillness. Just as a lotus rises above the water, untouched and resilient, her smile lifted my spirits. Her laugh had the charm of lotus leaves floating peacefully, a gentle calm that soothed and inspired me. Every time she smiled, the world seemed to pause and admire. It was a gift, one I was lucky to witness, and in her smile, I saw a love that made my world complete. I urged her to reveal the surprise.
She laughed softly. “Okay, okay! After a day of chit-chat, Mom finally asked if we were in love. I didn’t say a word, but she knew. And do you know what she said? She could see you’re a good person with a kind heart! She believes in us. She’s worried, of course, but she trusts us. And she wants you to introduce her to your parents next Sankranthi!”
I was speechless, overwhelmed with joy. “Meera, this is everything I could have hoped for!” I exclaimed. We stood there, grinning like kids, our hearts lighter than ever. The weight of uncertainty lifted, replaced with newfound hope. We spent the evening on a pedal boat, roaming the lake like two swans, laughing, dreaming, and talking about the future we could finally imagine together. Every ripple in the lake felt like a ripple of joy in our lives, spreading infinitely.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
New Year’s Eve came quickly, and Meera invited me to her uncle’s house for a celebration. I arrived early, feeling the warmth and festivity in the air. The house was adorned with strings of lights, the scent of sweets and savory dishes filling the rooms. Her family greeted me with open arms, and I could see Meera’s joy reflected in every detail of the night.
As the countdown to midnight approached, we gathered on the terrace. Meera’s cousins played with sparklers, and the air was alive with laughter and excitement. Meera and I exchanged glances, caught up in the magic of the moment.
Her uncle, a jovial man with a booming voice, raised his glass for a toast. “To love, to family, and to new beginnings! May this year bring us all happiness and strength to face what’s ahead!” Everyone cheered, clinking glasses of juice and soda, and I couldn’t help but think about the journey Meera and I had been on together.
When midnight struck, the terrace erupted in cheers, and fireworks lit up the sky. I turned to Meera, and in that moment, with the sound of celebration around us, we locked eyes. The joy was overwhelming, and it felt like everything was falling into place.
After the festivities calmed, we found a quiet corner on the terrace. Meera rested her head on my shoulder, and we talked about the year ahead, her mother’s acceptance, the challenges we might face with my parents, and our unwavering love.
“I’ll never forget this night,” I whispered. “It’s the perfect start to our new chapter.”
She smiled, her eyes full of warmth and confidence. “We’ll face everything together, like we always do.”
In that moment, I knew, no matter what came next, we were ready.
The Introduction
With Sankranthi approaching, Meera’s mother returned to take her home, and it was time for the introduction. We planned it for my parents’ wedding anniversary, a perfect setting. I was nervous, especially about my mother, who held traditional views.
The day arrived, and as Meera and her mother entered our home, my heart raced. My dad, a jovial man, welcomed them warmly, while my mother remained reserved. Meera and her mother, dressed beautifully, carried gifts. Meera’s face lit up when she saw me, and I smiled back, though the weight of the occasion was heavy.
“Come in, come in!” my father called, accepting their gift with a big smile. “You’re family here. Meera, it’s so good to finally meet you properly. He talks about you all the time,” he added, making me blush.
“It’s a pleasure to be here, Uncle,” Meera said softly, her voice full of respect.
My father shared stories from his youth, charming Meera. He asked, “So, what is it about this boy that caught your eye? His endless talking or his terrible dancing at parties?”
We laughed, and Meera smiled. “It’s his kindness, Uncle. He’s always there for everyone. And yes,” she teased, “he may bunk classes to watch movies, but when it comes to helping someone, he never hesitates.”
“A rebel with a cause, huh?” my father laughed. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about having a good heart, and I can see my son has that.”
His words warmed me, a silent blessing. Meera’s mother seemed reassured, but my mother remained distant. During dinner, she asked, “What is your caste?”
I cringed, and my father tried to redirect, but her disapproval was clear. Later, she commented dismissively about their vegetarian lifestyle. Meera’s mother navigated the conversation with grace, but I sensed her unease. She had come hoping for acceptance but left with doubts.
That night, I called Meera to apologize, but her phone was switched off. I couldn’t sleep, overwhelmed by a rush of thoughts and a sense of dread.
A True Serendipity
The next evening, Meera and her mother left for their hometown without informing me. Her phone was still off. Panic set in. I rushed to the railway station, searching among the sea of faces, but they were nowhere to be found.
For an hour, I searched frantically, fear gripping me. I called her uncle, who confirmed they were at the station.
Meera
I was looking for Puvvu, standing at the train door, clutching the handle tightly. My heart was heavy with the weight of leaving him behind. Tears brimmed, not just from sadness but from the silent plea I couldn’t voice to my mother—that my love for Puvvu was real, and leaving him felt like tearing my heart apart.
Puvvu
As the train began to move, Meera looked at me with eyes holding a thousand emotions: love, sorrow, and a fierce wish for a future without painful goodbyes. She held onto every detail of me standing there, her love reaching across the distance. It wasn’t just a goodbye; it was a promise, whispered through her tears, that she would return.
I stood on the platform, watching the train pass, feeling like I was losing everything.
Dive Deeper into the Tale of Love and Honor
🔙 Read Part 1 – Where the Journey Began
💔 Read Part 3 – A Tale of Love and Honor – Final Chapter
From the first glance to the final goodbye… every moment is stitched with emotion.
0 Comments
Thanks for your feedback. But Kindly do not enter any spam links in the comment box