Lover from another lifetime

He did not expect to see her there. He stood at the entrance of the temple, watching her pray. With a man and a young boy by her either side.

The husband and the son, he thought to himself.

The wheels in his mind began to turn as memories of the past flashed through his mind.

'I want to buy a saree as a birthday gift for my mother. Will you help me?' he asked her.

She was more than willing. She wanted the gift to be perfect. They ended up spending several hours at different shops before she chose a peacock-blue saree.

He knew he was falling for her as every day passed. And there was nothing he could do about it.

Till a few months later, when he offered to drop her home. That was when he knew he had to tell her. Otherwise he would never get the chance.

'I will be leaving for Bombay next week. And I do not know if I will ever get the chance to say this to you. I do not know if we will ever meet again. It is just that... I do not know how to say it.'

She looked at him, unsure of what to expect. He took a deep breath.

'Will you marry me?' The words came out in a flurry.

She did not say anything. Sadly, she shook her head.

That was six years ago.

Walking up to her, he asked quietly 'Do I know you from somewhere?'

She looked up at him. Bewilderment soon changed to a huge smile of recognition.

'Hi!' she said. In the same old way, he thought.

'How are you?' she continued.

'Am doing fine' he smiled. Turning to her husband, he stretched his hand to shake his. After a momentary pause, the man took his hand. The handshake felt reluctant. Perhaps he knows who I am, he thought to himself.

He looked at their son standing between them. The boy looked at him with curious eyes.

The air around them hung heavy with silence. Someone had to take the initiative.

'My parents must be looking for me', he said and added, 'It is my father's birthday today.'

'Good bye', she said with a smile and turned to walk out of the temple complex.

He moved towards an elderly couple waving at him.

As she walked out, she paused for a moment to look at him. She saw him walk towards a gentleman dressed in a white shirt and dhoti, and a lady dressed in a familiar peacock-blue saree.