last meeting

I looked at you with hope and desperation, you climbed those stairs easy and slow, taking your time. As if we had lot.I knew this will be our last meeting.

You came and stopped at a distance. I gave you a hushed smile and with that the birthday card. You have agreed because else I would have just put it out of your house. You knew that.

I took your hand, you didn't stop me. There was even sparkle in your eye. Like the day you had first called out my name and I had just smiled at you. Without even saying hi. You were hurt then. Oh... This was that sparkle. Stupid!

I asked you, can't I fix this?

You had just said, stop. And hugged me. You smelled like apples, why did you even like apple. I hate apples now. Can't eat them now. But it was then.

You let go of me, rather sooner than I had hoped, wished, expected, prayed for. But that was it.

You went back. I heard you open the gate and close it behind you. I stayed on that terace for a few minutes.
And then I was gone.
We were gone.

-Pratik