Late or in time..

As his official car dropped him on the highway close to his destination , he could see some people, and instinctively knew they were waiting for him. As he rode with them to the house, the mood of the occasion was shared by every one with minimal words. With so much that she had told him, he could have made his way to the place all by himself based on her descriptions. Out at the door, there was a frenzy of activity. There was a crowd in the house. Despite never having met them , he could recognize all her uncles and aunts and cousins. She had told him so much about every thing and every one. There were flowers and there was the priest, clearly all arrangements have long been made and it was only he who was awaited. He was still in his military fatigues. As he was ushered into the room, he caught a first sight of her. She was still looking radiant and lovely despite it been such a long time. He was posted at a distant place and so he could not be there any sooner. He inched closer to her, fearing the worst, but he had braced himself for this on his 12 hour journey and managed to contain himself. The last rites were completed without too much being said. And he walked back to the same highway he came from. Still in his fatigues and caring his sack. Some times the Soldier comes back home from war, but there is no one waiting for him.