The auto made its way through the winding lanes of the city, gently rocking me into thoughts I hadn’t visited in a while. It had been years since we last saw each other—back when we were just kids and life was simple, loud, and innocent. Her family had moved away in sixth grade. But today was different. After all this time, we were finally meeting again.

After a short 15-minute ride, the auto came to a halt in front of a quiet café tucked between two old buildings. I messaged her that I’d reached. She replied, “One minute,” and true to her word, I saw her walking up not long after.

Walking down the footpath with the calm assurance of someone who had grown up. Familiar eyes, unfamiliar presence. It was strange how time reshapes people yet leaves parts of them untouched. We exchanged a few quick greetings—half smiles, a shared laugh at the time gap—and then stepped inside the café.

Inside, the air was warmer, filled with the scent of coffee and quiet chatter. We found a corner table and placed our order. At first, the conversation was careful. The awkwardness sat between us for a while. But slowly, the comfort returned.

Our coffees arrived, warm and inviting. The rich aroma wrapped around us, grounding the moment. We began to talk—about where we were in life, our courses, our families, the odd paths we’d both taken to land here again.

Then, almost without noticing, we wandered into the past. Those little stories, shared tiffins, silly fights, cartoons we rushed home for—all resurfaced, like they’d just been waiting. It made me realise how quickly life moves. How we go from those carefree days to complicated timelines and responsibilities, all in a blink.

Life really is a strange phenomenon without explanation.

The hours moved faster than we did. Our coffee cups, once warm and full, sat empty in front of us. Empty cups staring at us like quiet reminders of time slipping by—of moments caught and gone again.

Eventually, we both had to leave. Schedules waited, days needed to be lived. Outside the café, as we waited for our rides, we spoke of meeting again. But deep down, we both knew how these things go. Maybe it would be another few years.