A River That Learned Our Names

At Howrah’s rush, beneath iron breath and steam,

I saw her first—my future, clear as dream.

Time froze once, then shattered in a run,

I reached her breathless, two hearts beating one.

Her glasses caught the station’s yellow glow,

My arms found home before my mind said so.

Crowds dissolved, the platform slipped away,

When I hugged her like I’d waited every day.

From Howrah Ghat we crossed the river wide,

The ferry hummed while Kolkata sighed.

I took her bag, too heavy for her frame,

Gave her mine—love learns sharing before its name.

I held her close the whole slow-moving ride,

Cold breeze kissed us, city lights replied.

My lips met her forehead, soft and still,

Hands entwined—time bent to our will.

The Ganga shimmered, silver, deep, and true,

“I love you” floated—me to her, her to me too.

She fed me momos, laughter in her eyes,

Simple food, holy hands, sweetest prize.

At Bagbazar Ghat, a lone lamp stood,

Witness to lips that finally understood.

One kiss—gentle, shaking, perfectly right,

The kind that changes the shape of night.

We ran through lanes where old Kolkata sleeps,

Narrow roads holding secrets they keep.

Hand in hand, breathless, fearless, free,

Two souls sprinting toward destiny.

In the metro’s rush, I pulled her near,

A quiet hug louder than any cheer.

At Dumdum’s edge, the night grew thin,

But love kept blooming from under the skin.

Ranaghat local—she found a seat,

I stood before her, tired legs, steady heartbeat.

She kissed my palms, traced every line,

Like reading a future already mine.

I squeezed her cheeks, soft, warm, alive,

She smiled—the reason hope survives.

So lost in us, the clocks gave in,

Time surrendered where love had been.

Two faces close, beneath borrowed skies,

Her calm strength, my careful eyes.

Not just a meeting—this was proof,

That some loves arrive already true.

That night, the river, the run, the ride—

Everything whispered: this is your life.

© NILOY SHOUVIC ROY