She saw him for the first time hiding behind the bookshelf

Those pretty eyes would make her dream.

He noticed her hands shaking and tucking her hair behind her ear

He held her hand the whole time the first time they met.

But then their bodies had to know the longing they had for each other, they burned into each other’s souls.

The warmth of his body was her safe place

He warned her he could not give his heart to her as it was already broken by someone else.

She was brave enough to love him anyway

She wanted to heal him and make him forget his wounds

 But in the end, it was her who got bruised.

She had to let go or she would lose herself forever

She chose herself in the end, she knew she deserved better.

His name was indeed a gift of god so gentle to her heart

He made her believe in love and left her wondering if she can find the same love again.

She will grow old but he will always be 23 for her

As lovers never age in memories we carry.

All she has left now of him is a book.

~Yukta Muniraj

Bangalore, India