The Last Letter - Part 1

Introduction

Yes, it’s a world of Tinder and WhatsApp but the feeling a letter carry is beyond happiness.

Prologue

Buzz...

Sia looked at the calendar, it was Monday. Her heartbeat raced. 6 months have passed. With sweaty hands and a tipsy walk, she opened the door.

The letter has finally arrived. The envelope brought back fresh memories from dust off the past.

The year 2015

It was a casual summer afternoon.

One could feel the usual hustle-bustle at the Mumbai Central Station.

Hugs and kisses with good wishes were obvious sights.

Making her way through the chaotic crowd,

Sia wheeled her luggage to the train coach.

There sat a man in military dress,

Sameer’s dignity and poise were hard to miss.

The Meeting

Some meetings are destined,

Some paths had to coincide,

Sia's alluring aura oozes calmness,

Sameer's pleasing personality caught everyone’s eye,

This train journey will write a new story in their life.

The Journey Begins

In such a mesmerizing way a train journey can unite people from different walks of life,

For a short duration, our fate brings us together and strangely you will never cross that path again in life.

As the train set, it’s pace,

Small chit-chat among the passengers begins.

First Conversation

Since childhood border forces have always fascinated Sia,

With that admiration, she strikes the very first conversation.

Sia - Thank you sir for your selfless service to the nation.

Sameer was surprised, he has never heard something like that.

Sameer - Miss, each of us has some duty towards our nation and I feel privileged that I can serve my country.

Sia - But only a few fulfil their duties while the others are too engrossed with their own lives.

Sameer was quite impressed with Sia’s reply.

Sameer - What is your duty as an individual?

Sia - Duty is quite a subjective term...

And the conversation went on and on for an hour. None of them realized that they had met for the first time.

Sia asked Sameer about his posting and his battalion.

Sameer asked Sia about her college and education.

Finally, the conversation came to a halt.

The Book

Have you ever imagined how a book can bring two people together??

Passengers were opening their berth and heading to bed. Sameer saw Sia was engaged with a novel. He himself was a book lover. The moment he saw Sia close the book, he requested her:

Sameer - Can I borrow your book?

Sia - Of course

Sameer - Thanks and Good Night

Sia - Good night!

The next morning

Sia was so excited, few more hours and she will be home. But suddenly she realised Sameer has left. What about her book? The one she got as birthday present! She extensively searched his seat but it came to her as a shock, Sameer had forgotten to return the book.