A Kiss Before the Train Left

A love story written in moments… and remembered forever on Platform 7

Location: Mumbai CST Railway Station, 1982

Characters: Aarav – a young poet, Meera – a schoolteacher

The rush of the railway station had always been a blur to Aarav, except for that one evening in July when time slowed, and a single moment etched itself into his soul forever.

Aarav was a poet who sold books near platform number 7. He never believed in destiny—until Meera missed her train.

She was frantic, confused, clutching a red diary and a ticket to Delhi. Aarav offered her water and a calm place to sit. What started as an awkward conversation slowly turned into laughter, then stories, and finally poetry shared under the yellow station lights.

She missed the next two trains willingly.

For the next few weeks, Meera visited the station every evening—not to board, but to talk. They lived different lives, yet those few hours each day became their universe.

One rainy day, Meera arrived teary-eyed.

“My father wants me married by next month,” she said. “To someone from Delhi.”

Aarav looked down, clutching the poem he wrote for her. It ended with the line:

“Even if you leave, leave me with a kiss worth remembering.”

The station clock ticked louder than ever that day.

As the final announcement for the Delhi Express echoed, Meera stepped closer. Without a word, she placed a gentle kiss on Aarav’s cheek. No promises. No farewell. Just a kiss.

Aarav never left that station.

Years passed. Poets came and went. Trains arrived and departed. But Aarav—now grey-haired—still sits at platform 7, whispering lines from the same poem, hoping maybe one day, a woman with a red diary will miss her train again.