late afternoon love
Aniruddha Sen lived alone in a small two-story house in an old neighborhood in the north of Kolkata. He was about seventy-two years old. He was once a college history professor. Now he is retired. His wife Meenakshi died eight years ago. Both his son and daughter live abroad. He gets a call once or twice a month, a smiling face is seen on video calls, and then the days go by silently.
Aniruddha Babu would start his morning by sitting on the veranda and having tea. While drinking tea, he would look at the Krishnachudra tree on the side of the road. Although the people of the neighborhood respected him, no one gave him much time. Every afternoon, he would go for a walk in the park near his house. While walking, he would talk about politics, body aches and pains, or old days with other old people.
But there are some days in a person's life that suddenly change everything. That day too, he went to the park like every day. It was a winter afternoon. An old woman was sitting on a bench in a corner of the park, reading a book. White saree, light blue sweater, round-framed glasses. A quiet smile on her face.
As Aniruddha Babu passed by, a few pages of the book suddenly flipped in the wind. The old woman dropped her glasses as she tried to handle the book.
“Hey, be careful!” Aniruddha Babu said, quickly putting them back on.
The old woman smiled and said, “Thank you. I’m old, my hands don’t want to work like they used to.”
“We all have the same situation,” Aniruddha Babu said with a soft smile.
That day, the conversation took place there. The old woman's name was Suranjana Mukherjee. She was sixty-eight years old. Her husband had died three years ago. Her only daughter lives in Bangalore. Suranjana Devi used to teach Bengali in a school. That day, there was not much conversation. But after returning home, Aniruddha Babu felt a strange feeling. It was nice to talk to someone after a long time.
The next day, for no reason, he went to the park a little earlier.
Suranjana Devi was sitting on the same bench as before.
“Still a book today?” Aniruddha Babu asked.
“A book is the best friend now.”
“If a friend is a human being, then it is even better.”
Suranjana Devi looked at him and smiled. That smile made Aniruddha Babu's heart tremble and a warmth of love spread in his heart.
Days passed. The conversation between the two also increased. Sometimes they discussed Rabindranath Tagore, sometimes old movies, sometimes their own lives.
One rainy afternoon, the park was empty. The two were standing in a tea shop, drinking tea.
Suranjanadevi said, “You know, my husband was a very busy man. He performed all the duties of the family, but he could not give time.”
Aniruddhababu listened silently.
“Still, he was a man. He could talk to someone when he returned home. Now, when he entered the house, there was only silence.”
Aniruddhababu said slowly, “Silence is the most painful thing in a person’s life.”
Both of them remained silent for a while. It was raining outside. It was as if the loneliness of the two was becoming one amidst those sounds.
From then on, they started meeting regularly. Sometimes in a bookstore, sometimes by the Ganges, sometimes in a small restaurant, they would sit and have tea and cutlets. Whispers started to circulate about them in the neighborhood.
“Does this fit at this age?”
“Love at an old age!”
Some would laugh, some would sneer.
Aniruddhababu did not pay any attention to these things at first. But one day the son called and said, “Father, what I hear from people… is it true?”
“What are you hearing?”
“Are you hanging out with a woman?”
Aniruddhababu was silent for a while and said, “Yes. She is my friend.”
The son’s voice was irritated, “You don’t understand that people will laugh at you at this age.”
Aniruddhababu’s heart suddenly burst with pain. He said....
“Young people laugh at all ages.”
The phone went dead.
Meanwhile, Suranjanadevi's daughter was not very happy either.
“Mom, are you really thinking about getting married again?”
“I just want to be a little better.”
“What will people say at this age?”
Suranjanadevi said in a calm voice,
“I have spent my whole life thinking about what people will say. Now I want to think about myself a little.”
That night, Aniruddhababu could not sleep. He was sitting on the balcony looking at the sky. It seemed to him that at this age, was he really making a mistake?
The next day, he went to the park and saw Suranjanadevi sitting quietly.
“What happened?”
“The girl is in trouble.”
Aniruddhababu said slowly, “My son too.”
Both of them sighed.
After a while, Suranjanadevi said,
“Are we really making a mistake?”
Aniruddhababu was silent for a long time and then said,
“Is it wrong to want to be better?”
Suranjanadevi's eyes filled with tears.
For the first time that day, Aniruddhababu held her hand. Shaky hands. But there was a deep peace in that touch.
After that, they did not meet for a few days. Both of them were thinking. Society, children, relatives, everything had created an atmosphere of unrest.
Suddenly one morning, Aniruddhababu fell ill. His blood pressure had dropped. Suranjanadevi rushed over on hearing the news.
He sat by his side all day. He gave him medicine, cooked khichuri.
Aniruddhababu said in a weak voice,
“If you had not come, it would have been very difficult today.”
Suranjanadevi smiled and said,
“So do you understand how difficult it is to be alone?”
Aniruddhababu stared at her. At that moment, he understood that he could no longer live without this man.
A few days later, one afternoon, Aniruddhababu sat on the bank of the Ganges and said,
“Suranjana, can we spend the rest of our lives together?”
Suranjanadevi looked at him in surprise.
“At this age?”
“What age does love come from?”
Suranjana Devi smiled. She nodded slowly.
The wedding was very small. In the nearby Kali Mandir. No pomp. Just a few close people.
Aniruddha Babu was wearing a white Punjabi. Suranjana Devi was wearing a white sari with red borders.
Both of their hands were shaking while applying vermilion.
Amidst the ringing of the temple bells, Suranjanadevi suddenly cried.
“Why are you crying?”
“I never thought that someone would take me so close at this age.”
Aniruddhababu smiled softly and said,
“I never thought that the sun would rise again in the late afternoon.”
After the wedding, they started living at Aniruddhababu’s house.
In the morning, the two of them would have tea together. Suranjanadevi would take care of the plants. Aniruddhababu would read the newspaper to them. In the evening, the two of them would walk on the roof.
One day, Aniruddhababu’s son made a video call from abroad.
Seeing Suranjanadevi on the screen made him a little uncomfortable. But he noticed that after a long time, his father had a genuine smile on his face.
“Father… are you okay?”
“Very good.”
The son was silent for a while and said,
“Then I am happy too.”
Meanwhile, Suranjanadevi’s daughter also slowly accepted.
Time moved forward.
One night, they were sitting on the roof and watching the sky. The full moon was in the distance.
Suranjanadevi said,
“You know, when I was a child, I thought love was only for the young.”
Aniruddhababu smiled and said,
“No. Love is for the human heart. Not for age.”
A light breeze was blowing. Both of their hair was flying. The old hands were held together.
At that moment, they understood that the last chapter of life can also be beautiful.
Because love never gets old.
* The End *
2.Contract Marriage
Rainy morning. The light in the sky was not yet fully shining. Bonnie slowly opened the iron gate in front of the huge building and came out. He is wearing only a white shirt and old jeans. There is nothing at hand. No bags, no money, not even a memory of his own.
Today is the day to say goodbye to Bonnie. In the morning, his three-year contract marriage will end. He looked at the building standing behind him.
huge house White marble walls, glass balconies, high roofs, and some people full of pride. Everyone who lives in this house lives with some glory of their own. Some are proud of beauty, some are money, some are honored, some are education.
And Bonnie? He was just a "groom son-in-law". What could be a greater insult to a poor boy than this? Yet he stayed for three years. Because she loved Lolly. He loved so much that he gave up his self-respect.
Coming out of the gate, Bonnie started walking slowly. Fog all around. There are no people on the street. But in his chest it was like the screams of thousands of people. He started remembering the first day.
Three years ago… Bonnie had a short life. He lived with his mother in a common area near the city. Father died long ago. Mother used to make a living by sewing. Bonnie worked in a small publication. Book covers were designed, posters were made. His dreams were too short.
A small house. Quiet life for mom. And a loved one is next to him. At that time, one day he met Loli at the book fair. Lolly is like a girl from another world. Expensive cars, expensive clothes, strange confidence in the eyes. But that day he stood looking at the cover of a book designed by Bonnie.
“You did it?” The girl asked. Bonnie was a little surprised. "Why." "Awesome." That was the first time someone appreciated his work so beautifully. Then the talk gradually increases. Lolly used to call every day. wanted to meet When Boney fell in love with the girl, he himself did not understand.
But Lali's family did not want to accept this relationship. Because Bonnie is poor. One day Lolly cried and said, "I can't live without you." Bonnie said, "Your family will never accept me." Lolly remained silent for a while and said, "There is a way." "What way?"
"You will stay in our house for three years. A contract marriage. Dad wants me to understand what life is like for poor people in this time. If we want to be together after three years, he will accept."
Bonnie was stunned. house son-in-law? What could be a bigger blow to a man than this? But he couldn't say no to Lali's tears. Love makes people vulnerable.
The first few months after marriage were like a dream. Loli used to walk on the roof holding Boney's hand. He used to talk at night. Wet in the rain. Bonnie thought that everything can be done for this girl even if she endured insults.
But after six months everything changed. Slowly Loli started moving away. She didn't talk like before. did not eat together. He used to talk to someone on the phone at night for hours.
And the people of the house? They did not consider Bonnie to be human. Lali's mother always said, "No matter how good clothes some people wear, their classes don't change."
Lolly's elder brother Denny used to insult in front of friends. "This is our pet son-in-law!" Everyone was laughing. Bonnie was just silent. Because he thought... One day everything will be fine.
But some things are never right. One night Bonnie heard about Lolly. Standing on the balcony, she said on the phone, "I never loved her. I got married for my father's insistence."
Bonnie's chest trembled. "And six months. Then he will leave himself." That day Bonnie was the first to understand. He was actually a test. A toy. Not love.
She cried a lot that night. Silently. Because no one wants to see the cry of men. The days became more difficult. Even the housekeepers did not respect him. He was placed separately on the dining table. No event was introduced.
One day, Denny said in anger, "You are not equal to the dog of this house." Lolly was standing next to her. She didn't say anything. That silence hurt Bonnie the most.
Only one day left for three years to end. That night Bonnie went to Lolly's house for the last time. Lolly was sitting in front of the mirror. Bonnie said in a calm voice. "I'm leaving tomorrow," "Hmmm." "Didn't you ever love me?" Lolly is silent. Bonnie said again, "Not at all?"
After a long time, Lolly said slowly, "Love and reality are not the same." "mean?" "I can't stay with you for the rest of my life." "Because I'm poor?" Lolly turned her face. That silence was the answer.
Bonnie laughed lightly. A strange smile. "You know, Lolly… I've lost my self-respect for you." Lolly didn't say anything. "Yet I don't blame you. Because love is not forced."
Bonnie slowly left the room. That was their last words. No one stopped him when he left the house in the morning. No one even asked where he would go.
As if he was never in this house. Around noon, Bani was sitting at a small bus stand in the city. Only a few hundred rupees in the pocket. Suddenly a message came to his phone. "Mother is dead." Bonnie's world stopped.
For three years he could not even go to his mother properly. Lolly's family had rules. If you stay in this house, you have to keep the outside relationship less. Bonnie ran to the hospital. But by then it was all over.
He was broken by the frozen face of his mother. "Mom... I'm late to come back..." That day Bonnie first realized. He has lost everything in these three years. love respect Even his own man.
Then a new life began. Bonnie left the city and moved to another place. Rented a small house. Started designing again. But this time he had changed.
He did not trust anyone as easily as before. Day after day only worked. Gradually his design became popular. Work started coming from big publications. Within five years, Boney established his own company.
People now respect him. But he never forgot his past. One rainy night went to a literary event. After the ceremony, he was going to the car, suddenly someone called from behind...
“Bani…” he stopped. As soon as he turned around, his chest trembled. Lolly. But this loli is not like before. Ink under the eyes. Tired on the face. Lali asked. "How are you?" Bonnie looked for a moment and said, "Good." "You've changed a lot."
Bonnie smiled lightly. "People change when they suffer." Lolly lowered her eyes. "I want to talk to you a little bit." The rain was falling slowly. They sat in a coffee shop on the side of the road.
No one spoke for a long time. Then Lolly said, “I am divorced.” Bonnie is silent. "The one whom my father married merely married me for money." There was a strange feeling inside Bonnie. trouble? sympathy? Or old love?
She didn't understand. Lolly said in a trembling voice, "Do you know... I really loved you?" Bonnie looked. "Then why are you so insulted?" Lolly's eyes got wet. "I was weak. I couldn't stand against my family." "And me?" "You were the most real man... but I'm too late to realize that."
Bonnie looked out the window. It was raining. Once they got wet together in this rain. Lolly said slowly, "Can you forgive me?" Bonnie sighed. "I've been apologizing long ago." Tears came to Loli's eyes. “So… can’t we start over again?”
Bonnie remained silent. After some love broke, it was reunited. Some love is just a memory. After a long time, Boney said slowly, "I still haven't hated you, Lolly."
Lolly's chest trembled. "But the old bunny is no more." "I know." "Still one thing is true..." "What's the point?" Bonnie smiled softly, "I still remember you on a rainy day." Lolly's eyes watered.
Outside, the light of the city is blurred by the rain water. And after many years, two broken people were sitting in front of each other in silence again. Maybe to start a new one. Maybe just for the last time to talk about love.
It was late at night when I left the coffee shop. The rain is still falling, but much lighter than before. The street lights fall on the wet water and create a strange sparkle.
Lolly was standing in front of the car door. He seemed to want to say something, but couldn't find the sound. Bonnie opened the car door and stopped. "Will I get you home?" Lolly looked a little surprised. Then he slowly shook his head. Silence inside the car. Only the sound of rain.
At one point, Lolly said in a low voice, “How are you still so quiet?” Bonnie smiled lightly. "Not calm lolly… just tired." Lolly realized how many years of pain hidden inside this word.
The car crossed the busy streets of the city and slowly stopped in front of an old apartment. Bonnie was surprised. "You live here?" Lolly looked out the window and said, "It's all changed." The once royal life girl now lives in a small rented flat. This fact seemed strange to Boney.
Before Loly opened the door, she suddenly said, "Can you give me one day? Just for a day?" "Why?" "There's a lot of talk… that you don't know." Bonnie remained silent for a few seconds and said, "We'll see." Then he left with the car.
Lolly stood on the side of the road for a long time and looked at the car. For the next few days, Boney kept himself immersed in work.
But strangely his mind kept going back to the past. Lali's tears… her trembling throat… and that question — “Can't we start again?”
Bonnie was trying to convince herself that it was all over. But the heart does not always listen to logic. Three days later, a message came to his phone at night. “Will you meet tomorrow afternoon?”
Looking at the screen for a long time, Bonnie just wrote.. "Okay." The next afternoon, Loli called him to the side of an old lake in the city. They used to come to this place. Lolly was already sitting. Today he looked very ordinary. White salwar, open hair, no expensive makeup on the eyes.
But strangely, today's lolly looked more true than before. Bonnie sat next to Lolly, "You know... after your departure I first realized how empty the house is." Bonnie is silent. "You were the only man in that house, who did not belittle anyone."
Lolly began to speak slowly. "Daddy suffered a big loss in business after you left. Denny fled abroad. Mother got sick. And then those who were so proud of it... all of them started blaming each other."
He stopped for a while. "I first realized that money does not raise people." Bonnie said in a low voice, "I knew this long ago." Lolly smiled sadly. "I know." It was mildly cold in the air. The rays of light were shaking in the water of the lake.
Suddenly Lolly took out a small box from the bag. "It's yours." Bonnie opened the box in surprise. An old clock inside. his father's watch. On the wedding day, Loli's father said... "From now on, these are the property of our family."
Then the watch never returned. Bonnie's hand trembled. “Is it you…?” “I was hiding,” Lolly said. ... "Because I knew how valuable it was to you." Bonnie didn't say anything.
Just held the clock tightly. After a long time he said slowly, “If you would stand by then…” Lolly's eyes got wet. "I know." "I just wanted you Lolly. Your house, money, nothing."
"I know..." This time his throat was broken. "And that's the man I hurt the most." After that day, the communication between them started again slowly. But not like before.
Now their words are less insanity, more understanding. Lolly used to come to Bonnie's office sometimes. Made coffee. Sometimes he used to sit quietly. Bonnie's employees were surprised. Who is this ordinary girl, in front of whom their harsh boss suddenly becomes soft?
One night after work, Bonnie saw Lolly standing on the balcony of the office watching the rain. Bonnie asked. "Do you still love the rain?" Lolly smiled softly. "Because I smell you in the rain."
Boni's chest trembled lightly. Lali used to say this to her once. After many days she felt it. The ice accumulated inside it is melting little by little. But life is never so easy.
One day suddenly news came to Boney. Lolly's mother is very sick. On reaching the hospital, Boney saw the arrogant woman lying helpless in bed. There is no longer the pride in her eyes.
He saw Bonnie and said in a trembling voice, "Have you come?" Bonnie said calmly, "Yes." The woman's eyes were wet. "I have done so wrong to you, Father." Hearing this word "father", Boney remained still for a while. "Forgive me." Bonnie said slowly, "Don't think about the old things."
The woman cried, "You were a really good boy... we didn't understand." Lolly was crying silently, standing by the door. Lolly's mother died a few months later. On the day of the funeral, Lolly was completely broken.
After everyone left, she was sitting alone and crying. Bonnie slowly went and sat next to her. Lolly suddenly held her hand tightly and said, “Don't leave me alone… Please…” Boney's chest twisted.
He was understanding. He still loves this girl. Loves it very much. But there was fear with love. Fear of breaking again. That night, Boney returned home and stood by the window for a long time.
I remember his mother. Mother once said. "A man who misunderstands is not bad." Maybe Lolly has changed. Maybe really repent. Maybe people can get a second chance.
The next morning Bonnie went to Lolly's flat with a small bouquet of flowers. Lolly looked surprised when she opened the door. Bonnie said slowly, "Let's go somewhere." "Where?" "A new place." "Why?" "Because I don't want any contract now," Bonnie said with a soft smile.
Lolly's eyes trembled. "So?" Bonnie looked at her and said in a calm voice.. "I just want to start with love." Lolly's eyes were watering silently. He couldn't believe it.
The man he had broken and insulted for three years is now standing in front of him and talking about starting a new one. Lolly slowly approached Boney.
"Can you trust me so easily?" Bonnie remained silent for a while. Then he smiled softly and said, "No... not easily." "So?" "Love is never easy, but some people can't be left." Lali suddenly cried and hid her face in Boney's chest.
Bonnie felt the first time after many years. This girl is really broken. And that arrogant lolly is no more today. Then their new life started. There is no building. No glitter. No contract.
They took a small flat in a quiet place in the city. In the morning loli learned to cook, and burned something every day. Bonnie used to smile. Lolly was angry. One day the dal was so salty that Bonnie said to drink water, "Is it a branch or sea water?" Lolly threw the pillow.
They found happiness in these small moments. Lolly was slowly changing. Earlier she would not go out without expensive clothes. Now he sits in a street tea shop with Boney wearing normal clothes and drinks tea.
Earlier, he used to talk loudly to the housekeepers. Now he cooks for everyone with his own hands. One day Bonnie asked in surprise, "How did you change so much?" "The day I lost you, I realized how poor I was really," Lali said.
A year later… Boney's company got bigger. His name comes first among the well-known design studios in the city. One day Boney was being honored in a big event.
He stopped while speaking on the stage. He looked at Lali sitting in the front row. Then he said in a calm voice in front of the microphone. "I've got a lot of humiliation in life. Sometimes I feel like it's all over. But there's one thing I've learned... people can't be judged by their money. If love is true, then one day or another."
Sarah became silent. Lali's eyes got wet. On returning home that night, Loli was standing on the balcony. Light rain in the sky. Bonnie came from behind and said, "What are you thinking?" Lolly said slowly, "I'm thinking of something." "What's the matter?" "What if you never come back after you've left?"
Bonnie smiled and said, "Then you might still be sitting alone in that building." Lolly held her hand tightly. "And you?" "I would have lived... but I would have died completely from the inside." Lolly couldn't say anything else.
He just put his head on Bonnie's shoulder. Two years later a new person came to their small family. A girl child. Boney was silent for a long time with the girl in her arms.
Then he said slowly, "I don't want him to ever look at people's pride." Lolly wiped her tears and said, "He will only see love." A few months later, one day they went in front of the old building.
The house is almost empty now. Many parts are sold. Standing in front of the iron gate, Lolly said slowly, "This house gave me everything... but taught me not to be human." Bonnie looked at him. "Life taught." Lolly smiled softly. "And you."
It was evening. Bonnie was holding the little girl in one hand, and Lally's hand in the other hand. They slowly started walking in front. The building full of pride was left behind. A small but calm life was waiting in front.
Where there is no contract. There is no insult. Just love. And two people, who after much hardship finally found each other true.
* The End *
Story - 1
Lost Love.....
For many years, he has lived only with work and responsibilities. He has spent his days and nights dreaming of making his small sauce company big.
There is no one special in his life anymore. His father died many years ago. Since childhood, he has seen his mother struggle to manage the family. That is probably why David understood from a very young age that life is not only about feelings, but also about responsibilities.
Nevertheless, love came into his life at one point.
While studying in college, he loved a girl named Sonia very much. Sonia was calm, cheerful and incredibly charming.
Their friendship gradually turned into love. Their stories were spread everywhere, in the college library, canteen, rainy afternoons.
But one day, Sonia suddenly disappeared.
No goodbye, no explanation. Only one day did he find out that Sonia had left the country. After that, there was no more contact. Despite many attempts, David could not find her.
After that incident, David immersed himself completely in work. He distanced himself from love, relationships, marriage, etc. He felt that some people remained only as memories.
After many years, he came today to sign a business deal with a large marketing company abroad. If this deal was successful, his small company would reach a much bigger place.
Leaving the airport, David remained silent for a while, looking at the city. All around him were tall buildings, busy streets, sounds of unfamiliar languages. Everything seemed new to him.
The next morning, there was a meeting.
He arrived at the company office on time. A huge glass building. He was asked to wait as soon as he said his name at the reception.
David sat quietly, looking around. The large pictures hanging on the walls, the busy movements of the employees, everything had a professional atmosphere.
After a while, a middle-aged manager came forward.
“Mr. David? Sorry to keep you waiting. Please, come this way.”
David smiled lightly.
The manager led him into the conference room. David was about to open the file and prepare the documents, when the door opened and another person came in.
A woman.
Looking at the woman, David seemed to forget to breathe for a moment.
His eyes froze.
Is this true?
Those familiar eyes… that face… just a little bit of time had passed.
Sonia.
David’s heart shuddered.
Sonia also stopped. For a few seconds, the entire room seemed to fall silent.
The manager smiled and said, “Mr. David, this is the CEO of our company, Miss Sonia Gomes.”
Sonia slowly composed herself.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. David.”
Her voice was calm, but the emotion hidden in her eyes was clear.
David said with difficulty, “Nice to meet you too.”
The meeting began.
Business discussions continued. Products, market strategies, sales plans, everything was discussed in detail. But David’s mind kept going back to the past.
Sometimes, shadows of old feelings could be seen in Sonia’s eyes.
After two hours of negotiations, the deal was finally done. As David signed the papers, it felt as if life had strangely brought them face to face again.
As the meeting ended, Sonia was silent for a moment. Then she said slowly, “If you have time… can we have lunch together?”
David stared at her for a few moments.
Then she nodded.
“Sure.”
They went to a quiet restaurant near the office.
They sat by the window and were silent for a moment. The feeling of meeting again after so many years felt strange to both of them.
Finally, David was the first to speak.
“Why did you leave so suddenly?”
Sonia looked down.
A light tear was glistening in her eyes.
“Mom got very sick. The doctor said she needed to get treatment abroad quickly.
It all happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to tell anyone.”
David said slowly, “You could have made a phone call.”
Sonia smiled softly.
“I wanted to. But then I thought… maybe it would be better to go away.”
“Good?” David’s voice was strained with pain. “Do you know how much I’ve missed you?”
Sonia remained silent.
After a while, she said slowly, “I’ve thought about you every day, David.”
David looked out the window. People were walking busily across the street. Yet it felt as if time had gone back many years.
After lunch, they walked for a while along the city streets.
Old memories were slowly coming back. College days, small quarrels, rainy afternoons. Everything seemed to come alive again.
At one point, Sonia said, “You’re not married?”
David smiled lightly and shook his head.
“I was busy with work.”
Sonia looked at him.
“Just work?”
David didn’t answer.
Because they both knew the truth.
Sonia said again...
Stay here for a few days.
David looked at Sonia after hearing her words.
That night, back at the hotel, David couldn’t sleep. He kept remembering Sonia’s face. He tried to convince himself. The past cannot be brought back. After all these years, everything cannot be the same. Still, his mind says, let’s try once and see if the lost love comes back to his life.
But does the heart ever listen to reason?
Over the next few days, they met repeatedly for work. Sometimes at the office, sometimes for dinner.
Gradually, their distance began to decrease.
One evening, Sonia invited David to her house. When David went there, he saw Sonia’s mother sitting in a wheelchair. He was old, but his face was full of compassion.
Sonya's mother saw David and said, "You're David? I've heard a lot about you from Sonya."
David looked at Sonya in surprise.
Sonya lowered her eyes in shame.
That night's dinner was very ordinary, but David felt like he was feeling the warmth of family again after a long time. After dinner, they stood on the balcony and watched the city lights. A light, cool breeze was blowing.
Sonya said slowly, “I could never forget you.”
David looked at him quietly.
“Then why didn’t you come back?”
Sonya’s eyes filled with tears.
“I was scared. I thought you might hate me.”
David sighed.
“I wanted to hate you. But I couldn’t.”
Both of them were silent for a while.
In that silence, it seemed as if many years of unspoken words were hidden. The days began to pass quickly.
The time for David to return home approached.
But now he felt that something had changed. Sonya had touched that place again, the emptiness he had hidden inside himself for so many years.
On the evening of the last day, they went to the seaside.
The sun was slowly setting. The sky was covered in shades of orange and red. Sonya said quietly, “Will everything be the same again if you leave?”
David was silent for a while.
Then he said slowly, “I don’t know.”
Sonya looked down.
“I don’t want to lose you again.”
David looked into her eyes.
There was no acting there. Just true love.
Suddenly, he felt like life had given him a second chance. Not everyone gets this chance.
He slowly took Sonia’s hand.
“I don’t want to lose you again either.”
Tears welled up in Sonia’s eyes.
David smiled softly and said, “We have both suffered for so many years. Can’t we start anew this time?”
Sonya couldn’t say anything. She just shook her head.
At that moment, David realized that love is never truly lost.
Time may push it away, but if the feeling is true, one day or another it will come back. After a few months, David returned to that city again. But this time it was not for business. He stood in front of Sonya and opened a small ring box.
“Don’t go anywhere else now.”
Sonya started crying with a smile.
The air around her seemed to become lighter.
After a long wait, their love finally found fulfillment.
David understood that success in life, money, big companies, more important than everything else, is a person who understands all your broken feelings.
And Sonya understood that true love never loses to time.
Their new life began.
Even in the middle of a busy city, David was no longer alone. There is still work, there are still responsibilities, but now there is a man by her side, whose hand she wants to walk the rest of her life with.
After many dark nights, light finally returned to their lives. The few months after their wedding were passing like a dream for David and Sonia.
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