It was such a strange coincidence - or maybe something more.

On one of the random days, I got a message from a Girl. She was someone I had been in touch with for a marriage proposal - exactly four years ago. The timing shook me a little because just a few days earlier, I'd been thinking about her after reading Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. The book asks a simple but deep question: If you could go back in time, who would you want to meet?

That question really got to me. I started reflecting on people who had meant something in my life - people I either missed or wished I could talk to again.

The first two were obvious: my father and my past love. My dad passed away in a road accident, and my past love and I had a mutual separation for reasons that only the two of us fully understood. I have beautiful memories with both of them, but strangely, I didn't feel that strong pull to go back and talk to them. I guess I'd made peace with those chapters.

But then? there was this girl.

It wasn't a pleasant ending between us, and to be honest, it was mostly my fault. I'd been harsh in my communication. Maybe I thought I was being practical, but in hindsight, it came off cold. And I knew deep down that it had hurt her more than I realized at the time.

Matrimony Connection:

After my breakup, I stayed away from relationships for about three years. Then, I decided to settle down in life and get married. Through matrimonial site I came across someone named Veronika - though her real name was Poorv. Her profile stood out to me immediately.

I sent her an interest request, and she responded pretty quickly. She was managing her own profile, which I appreciated. We started chatting, and within a few days, moved to WhatsApp and then phone calls. The connection was instant - easy, comfortable.

We came from different backgrounds, and in many ways, we were opposites. But somehow, we clicked. Both of us had been through tough times, and maybe that's what gave us a similar lens on life. We didn't take things too seriously, knew how to laugh, and tried to enjoy the moment.

Poorv was an independent, outspoken, had this contagious smile, loved pets and food, enjoyed driving, and was into fitness. Honestly, she had all the qualities I'd hoped to find in a partner.

We would talk for hours, message throughout the day - basically, we were only not in touch when we were asleep. Even though we hadn't met in person, we were building something strong.

We were in two different cities. A month after, she planned to come to my city, and we were all set to meet. But that weekend, Janata Curfew was announced due to COVID, and everything changed. We had to cancel our plans, and then the lockdown began.

Still, we stayed connected. I sent her songs, movies, random things I liked. The bond kept growing. She even mentioned that when we met, she wanted to hug me tight and kiss me. There was a soft, sweet intimacy developing between us - even from a distance.

At that time, she was dealing with some personal issues and a court case pertaining to a property. It was a contested case and had already dragged on for over a year. With the courts affected by COVID too, no one knew how much longer it would take. It was her second tough relationship, but she still believed in love, in marriage - and she believed in me. She often said that after a long time, she was genuinely smiling again. Her family saw the change too. They were happy to see her happy.

Things went on like this for about four or five months.

Turn of events:

Then, life threw another curveball. My mother got infected during the first wave of COVID. It wasn't very serious, but the fear and stress hit our family hard. She started insisting - almost emotionally blackmailing me - to get married soon, considering her health. When I told her about Poorv, she was hesitant. Because the case was still pending, the marriage was dependent of this and it is contested, there was a lot of uncertainty. No one knew how long it might take.

I started feeling conflicted. Poorv was getting more attached, and I didn't want to be another emotional setback in her life. She'd already seen too much pain. I couldn't risk leading her on. So slowly, I began pulling away. I didn't bring up my mom's concerns - I just said that maybe we weren't that compatible, that our interests didn't align. It wasn't true, but I thought it would be easier than telling her the facts.

She didn't give up easily. She kept reaching out, asking to meet, trying to understand what had gone wrong. I started delaying my replies. Eventually, one day, I responded with a message that was unnecessarily harsh. I told her no - and that I didn't owe her an explanation.

That was the last time we spoke.

But I always knew I could've handled it better.

Back to Present:

So, when I read that line in the book - Who would you want to meet again? - Poorv was the first name that came to mind. I didn't reach out. I didn't even know how. It had been four years.

Then, out of nowhere, she messaged me on a professional platform Four years later. Exactly 15 days after reading the book and the thought stuck in my mind.

I couldn't explain it. Why now? Why just days after she'd been on my mind? I don't know what you call it - coincidence, fate, or the universe listening - but I believe it happened for a reason.

She had reached out for something else entirely. But I couldn't help but feel? this meant something. A glitch in time. A second chance. Or maybe just a quiet nod from the universe that some stories aren't quite over.

We spoke. Not for long. I didn't say "sorry." But I did say something I hadn't before: "I wasn't right."

We haven't met in person. Our lives have moved on. But that one conversation gave something back to me - maybe peace, maybe connection.

And I keep thinking about that question.

If you could go back in time?

Maybe we don't always get to go back.

But sometimes, just sometimes -

Time comes back to you.