"True Love is a myth, but True Friendship isn't."
A story set in India and London that revolves around the journey for love and friendship transcending borders, 1960 London Love, is an epic tragedy revolving around Meera Bhandarkar, who, six decades later, is asked to recount her saga of love, betrayal, and friendship that has made her the town's legendary figure. As the wounds are opened and secrets spilled, the listener and speaker find a connection and bond that they had overlooked.
What is this story? And who is this stranger that wants to know it?
Read this beautiful and poignant novella with immaculate description and cultural references that will pull at your heartstrings and make you smile as you feel the ups and downs of the relatable characters.
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Rishabh looked down upon his empty hand and then at the old woman in front of him. "So", he finally opened his mouth." What do you have for me in exchange for this photograph?"
Meera looked at the young man and smiled. She then leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand which stood pensively on her lap. Staring at the pair of unsure eyes, she said, " Honestly, I would give you nothing in exchange for this photograph. I had rather, you take it with yourself and burn or throw it somewhere. But I am curious. What do you want in exchange for this shard of memorabilia?"
Rishabh hesitated at first, before forming a slurry of words, "I want the story."
Meera leaned back in surprise but quickly regained her composure. "Pardon?"
He took a deep breath and tried to gather his jittery confidence. " I want you to tell me the legend that revolves around you. The romantic saga that makes you, an unmarried woman, a widow."
Meera turned away and stared at the hills beyond the window. Her composure crumbled as a single tear flowed down her cheeks. She quickly wiped it off and sniffled.
"The story you are asking for", she said without turning her eyes from the lush greenery." Is not what you would call a romantic saga. It has no happy ending. Just pain and heartbreak. But then, that is what life is. More thorned than flowered."
"So", Rishabh asked the frail and sad lady. " Would you tell me the story?"
Meera nodded and turned to look at him. "Yes. Yes, I would, Rishabh. I would tell you the very tragedy that defines my life. But not for this snapshot but because I believe it's time for me to let go of that painful memory, that, which I call, my 1960 London Love."