Honeymoon@70

   During my final year of college, our department organized a trip to Agra and New Delhi. The excitement among everyone was palpable, as college life would soon come to an end in two months, and we all wanted to create lasting memories. We traveled to Agra on the Tamil Nadu Express. My two friends and I were seated near an elderly couple, likely in their 70s, who seemed genuinely delighted to meet us and began asking various questions, which we were more than happy to answer. They shared that they were from the Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu and were on their way to Agra.

The journey would take two and a half days, and my friends kept themselves occupied with different activities. On the second day, while I was chatting with them, the elderly man began sharing his life story. He revealed that he and his wife had a love marriage and that it had always been her dream to visit the Taj Mahal. She frequently urged him to take her there, but financial difficulties prevented him from fulfilling her wish. He had hoped that their son would take them to the Taj Mahal, but unfortunately, their son, who struggles with alcoholism, has not been supportive. After 53 years of marriage, he is finally able to take his wife to see the Taj Mahal, and the joy on her face brings him immense happiness.

Their story was deeply moving. I wished I could capture the expression on the old woman’s face when she finally sees the Taj Mahal. For this couple, the trip represents more than just a visit to a famous monument; it is a testament to their enduring love and commitment to one another.