The pool was full of people of all shapes and sizes. Summer holidays are nothing but family time. Overzealous children don’t let you sit. Rooms had everything scattered. Hotels had delectable menus to tantalize the taste buds of the elderly too. Sameer, a builder, at 70 felt blessed. His grandchildren were his best chums. Vivek, his photographer son, had blessed him with a grandson and granddaughter on his 60th year of a well spent life. Both were twins and it was a double delight. Kratika, his daughter-in-law, chose to be a housewife after being a successful technical writer. There was no free time even when the entire family was out on a holiday. The kids kept her all the more busy. Sameer Dhillon missed his wife the most on such occasions. He had lost her to cervical cancer when Kratika was pregnant. It was a tough time for the entire family but somehow God helped them walk through it all. Bina was 58 then. The 30 years of marriage couldn’t be celebrated likewise.

Sameer was a closed book for the world. Very vivacious on the surface but a lot had been unreadable as he liked it this way. His grandchildren took him as their best friend. Vivek was a strict dad to them but Sameer was an absolute sweetheart as he made life easier for them in so many inexplicable ways. The bond was getting thicker with each passing moment. This helped him keep his mind off the presence that filled most of his life. While sitting by the pool he felt he saw a reflection of a familiar face. On scrutiny it was Brenda, holidaying with her husband in the same hotel in Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, a northern state in India. It was a fairly hot day and it was best to be by the pool for many. Brenda Fanthome was in her loose linen pink dress and looked graceful in her grey plaited hair. Guess, this out of the blue bumping was unavoidable after 30 good years now.

Before Sameer could look away, Brenda held his gaze. There was appreciation decorated with a question, only to be read by both alone. For the world, two friends were meeting who drifted due to busy schedules.

‘Hello Sameer, that’s you right from St. Francis College, Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, another northern state in India. A place where we crossed each other’s paths for the first time thanks to Crossroads, a month-long competition extravaganza for all colleges of repute. Rest is history, they say.’ asked Brenda.

‘You are right Brenda, it’s me, the same old Sameer. I guess the gentleman accompanying you is your husband. Glad to have met you in a way that was least expected mate.’ added Sameer.

‘Darling this is Sameer, my rival at the competition then but later became my thick friend who somehow never showed up for our wedding.’ laughed Brenda.

William Jones shook hands with Samer in the warmest way possible and added, ‘Nice to meet you, Sameer. Where were you all this while?’

‘Just busy with my life with no regrets.’ sealed Sameer. 

‘Cool, you guys catch up while I go for a stroll after such a heavy meal sweetheart. Catch you in the evening for tea in our room.’ saying this William left.

‘He really knows when not to be a presser of things. Is it a love marriage? inquired Sameer. 

‘Does that matter after living for so many years under the same roof, Sameer? We are together and that makes the kill.’ smiled Brenda.

How could Sameer forget that Brenda liked it short and sweet, intriguing enough yet not to overstep ever on whatever information she used to pass?

‘Glad it floats your boat, Brenda, I am here with my grandchildren, son, and daughter-in-law. It’s fun watching them grow and enjoy whatever life has to offer.’ beamed Sameer.

‘I had guessed, you loved children.’ Brenda recalled aloud with a sigh.

For fourteen-odd years Sameer and Brenda had so much in common that they were simply inseparable. Festivals saw them hanging out in each other’s houses. Holidays be it in school, college, or university were always spent together. Phone calls lasted for hours whenever they couldn’t meet. Fat phone bills got them a lot of scolding but they both were least affected by it. It was a platonic friendship for the world and them too. Right after college life, wedding proposals started coming for both. They used to brush it off with a giggle and continued whatever they used to do. One fine day, Sameer felt Brenda wanted more from whatever they shared. He felt the same but never expressed just like Brenda.

‘So how is it like to be just the two of you?’ asked Sameer.

‘What made you guess that we are still the two of us in spite of years of marriage?’ questioned Brenda.

‘I just know.’ cemented Sameer. 

Brenda and Sameer did not have an awkward silence but they kept continuing their conversations filling each other about the years they were taciturn and out of touch. Shortly, Sameer was joined by his immediate family and William too had returned early from his stroll as the weather had turned a bit chilly for his aging bones. It seemed Brenda was pleased to meet Sameer’s center of attention and affection. They all had tea together and after a brief chit chat retired to their rooms. This was so unexpected yet beautiful. Far from torturous on second thoughts as no phone numbers were exchanged, for any further complications. Sameer and Brenda were fierce silent individuals who kept their emotions in check.

All those years possessive streaks ran under their skin with no display. It was best to go their separate ways and revel in whatever they wanted in life. A silent intense love got lost over the years yet it burned bright in that brief meetup. Eyes did the talking with no witnesses. Sameer felt at peace. Brenda felt no smoke but was all the more relaxed seeing him so full of life at that age. Once she got back in the room, Brenda picked up the pen and started writing for her new novel while resting her head on William’s shoulder. No questions were asked. William continued scrolling his website of Diamond’s store for new leads. It was a perfect holiday. In his room, Sameer kept looking at the starry night and Bina’s photograph and felt her all the more closer.