Sudden Meeting

Suddenly

On a local train on the Western Line

I see her sitting across -

I never thought we would ever meet again!

In those days, she would often wear a red dress

Like a rose in full bloom.

Today, her dress is midnight black,

A contrast to her frangipani face.

The darkness paints a distance between us,

As far from the mustard beach

As the blue edge of the sea on the horizon.

I see in her familiar face the aloofness of the stranger 

And my heart feels heavy in my chest.

Suddenly

She keeps her phone aside

And nods across the space at me

Opening the door to conversation between us.

I ask in a rush, how are you, how is the family, etc etc.

She looks at the dusty Mumbai landscape flashing by

With eyes reflecting the grey twilight of a day ending between us, 

And barely answers.

Her restless fingers reveal that she would rather have silence.

I am on the other berth with her companions.

After a while she gestures that I should join her, 

I say to myself, oh, so have you gathered enough courage now?

I sit down next to her.

She says in a voice muffled by the sound of the train,

"Don't mind, there's not much time.

I will be getting off at the next station, 

You will go far away, till Virar, 

And we won't meet ever again.

So, the question whose answer lies unspoken between us,

Will you answer? Truthfully?"

I say, "I will."

She looks at the darkening sky outside

And asks,

“Does nothing remain between us? Nothing at all?"

I am quiet for a few moments and then I answer,

"The night stars continue to twinkle

Even from the depths of daylight."

But then doubt assails me,

Did I make up that line?

"Go and sit there," she sighs.

They all alight at Bandra, the next station.

Only I travel to my destination.

Alone.

(Translated from Tagore, set in my city)