Guilt

As he stepped out of the bus, he saw her. It had been 5 years, but of course it did not take him a moment to recognize her. He could do that with his eyes closed probably. Probably, for that was what he used to tell her often. Back then, when life was a journey they were meant to fare together, when they secretly took pride in each other and in the belief that they had found true love, when they knew each other’s happiness was what mattered to them the most.

He saw her through the crowd. She looked lost in an animated conversation, oblivious to his presence. She is happy in life, he tried to console himself, only to fail. She was happy, this did not seem to make him happy. He walked away without seeing her. The guilt of realization did not feel good.

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As she stepped in the bus, she saw him. It had been 5 years, but of course it did not take her a moment to register him. I can recognize you with my eyes closed, she remembered him telling her often. Back then, when they were meant to be together, to take the journey of life together. But all things that are meant to be, not always happen. True love was independent of their being together or not, she believed. His happiness mattered to her the most.

He had moved on clearly, his oblivion to her presence told her. He is happy, she tried to console herself, only to fail. Coming out of the bus, she forced herself into a loud conversation with her friend. The guilt of realization did not feel good.