1960, August

Rays of setting sun, illuminated the street in which he is living. He is on his way to temple. Such was his daily routine. He prayed and opened his eyes. It is the first time he saw her. As if sent by god, who was pleased by his prayers. She too met her eyes with him just for a one – eight of a second! He kept glaring at her, all the while she is praying.She left the temple and walked through the same street in which he lives.

All of a sudden, it started raining. But she didn’t get wet, as he held umbrella to her, standing by her side. She looked into his eyes for a long moment. She sensed his purity of heart. She thanked him with her eyes and went to her home. He used to see this new girl daily at the same temple. They never used to talk anything. Their language is of eyes and smiles. Their lives are illuminated by ray of unspoken love.

“Will you be mine ?” are his first words to her. “I shall never ever leave your hand for rest of my life” . She was silent for a while and said “Meet my parents today”. Both of them went her home. Her father asked his where abouts and said “No! we shall not give to other caste man”. His heart ached. World turned upside down. She wept silently.

They got her married to some rich person. He remained alone for rest of his life. His life is simple. As he is teacher, his students and friends compensated to an extent for his loneliness.

2010, August

Rays of setting sun, illuminated the street in which he is living. He is on his way to temple. Such was his daily routine. He prayed and opened his eyes. He saw her again. She too saw him with strange mix of emotions flowing in her mind. This time, they both are too old to hardly recognize each other.

They came out. She asked him “How is life going?” . He said “Beautiful with your memories and gloomy again with your memories”. “How is your family life?” she asked again. “I didn’t marry anyone”, came the answer. Her eyes got moistened.

“How about your family?” he asked.“My husband and parents passed away” she said weakly.“And children?” he enquired. “They settled in city, left me in an ELDER’S HOME here“ she said.

All of a sudden, it started raining. But she didn’t get wet, as he held umbrella to her, standing by her side. She looked into his eyes for a long moment. “Will you be mine ?” are his words to her. “I shall never ever leave your hand for rest of my life” . She nodded her head, with moistened eyes. They hugged each other never to loose again. Their love is as young as it used to be 50 years back. Ray of love has illuminated them once again.