Marian Irving walks slowly along the gravel path of HydePark when an elderly woman steps into her view, fixing her gaze on Marians face.
Marian, is that you? the woman says, squinting slightly.
Yes, its me. And you are?
Im Diana, the woman replies with a warm smile. I didnt recognize you at first.
Diana, youve changed a great deal, Marian remarks, surprised. Were both older now, retirees at last.
Indeed, grey hairs and all, Diana answers. Your former beauty still shines through, Marian. Im hardly the same; life has not been kind to me. Do you still live here? We all thought youd moved back home. David was looking for you, but he never knew where your parents lived.
The name David makes Marian shiver. Diana notices and, after a brief pause, continues:
We buried David recently. He spent his whole life thinking of you.
Marian flinches again.
How did it happen?
His heart gave out, Diana says softly. Ive come to see my granddaughter; shes married now and studied at university in Manchester.
The two former classmates chat at length. Diana gives Marian her address, and Marian promises to visit. David had been Dianas cousin, and they had attended the same university on a parallel course.
A few days later Marian sits by the aircraft window, watching the countryside recede as the plane climbs. She feels no fear; she has flown many times before, so she leans back, closes her eyes, and lets her mind drift to her student days and the events that have led her on this journey.
The charming, darkhaired young man they called David was tall and handsome, and he fell for Marian at first sight. Marian, slender as a reed with light wavy hair and blue eyes, captured his heart instantly.
Hello, David says, unable to look away, and Marian, blushing, replies quietly.
At that time they are both thirdyear students at the same university. Marian is not close with Diana then; she shares a dorm room with her best friend Lisa. Later she learns that the striking, darkhaired Diana is Davids sister, their mothers being sisters themselves, and that the family lives far away in another county.
Marian has no shortage of admirers, but she is serious and determined to earn her degree and secure a good future. Many boys fall for her bright blue eyes and her gentle, almost magical smile, yet she knows her worth, ignores cheap compliments, and focuses on her studies. Despite her delicate appearance, her will is ironstrong, and she rebuffs any suitor who oversteps.
With David, however, everything feels different. When they first meet he asks, Shall we go for a walk after class?
Yes, Marian answers, surprised by how quickly she agrees to his invitation.
They stroll through Manchester, then still called Lancashire, admiring the grand architecture and bustling streets. Marian, who grew up in a small market town where her parents still live, has dreamed since the sixth grade of studying at this university, and now her dream is fulfilled.
Marians goals often materialize, a testament to her focused nature. She and David spend countless afternoons together. He is lively, confident, quicktempered and jealous, letting no other boy near her.
Marian, come with me. Ill show you a spectacular view, David says, his eyes sparkling. He takes her hand, leads her into the lift of a highrise block, and they ascend to the roof.
From there the city spreads out like a living map: tiny cars threading roads, benches and trees dotted below, the sun sinking behind a horizon of rooftops, the river Thames glinting in the fading light.
This is breathtaking, Marian breathes, awed.
I knew youd love it, David replies.
Marian feels herself fall completely, her heart beating in sync with Davids. He, who once flirted with many girls, now thinks only of Marian, and they become inseparable.
I never imagined I could love like this, Marian confides to Lisa. It feels unreal, but Davids jealousy sometimes gets too much.
Its because hes passionate and truly in love, Lisa advises.
Their relationship, intense and tempestuous, oscillates between fierce affection and sharp jealousy. One evening, while dining at a restaurant near the end of their studies, David glances at a woman at a neighboring table and smiles. In a sudden flash of anger, Marian splashes his drink across his face.
David slaps her cheek, leaving a red imprint. Marian storms out, hails a cab, and rushes back to the dormitory. David follows shortly after, and after a heated exchange they reconcile, his apologies frantic and heartfelt.
Forgive me, Marian, he begs. I didnt mean to hurt you. In my hometown, women never act like that, so I was shocked.
The next break they travel together to London to stay with Davids friend, an artist who lives in a small studio flat. They wander down Oxford Street, visit Trafalgar Square, explore galleries and a local exhibition, soaking up the citys energy.
Marian remembers every detail of those holidays: sharing ice cream, eating pasties, laughing in the cinema, riding the Tube. They return to the dorm tired but happy, surprised that they have not fought once during that trip.
Usually, they argue every two or three days, their quarrels fierce, sometimes bringing Marian to tears, but each conflict is followed by an equally passionate reconciliation.
By the end of their fifth year, Marian feels exhausted by the constant cycle of fights and makeups. David, however, is resolute.
Marian, I intend to ask your parents for your hand, he declares. Well marry after graduation and move to my familys home.
Marian loves him but fears marriage, especially since her parents have already chosen a suitor for hera son of a family friend named Victor, who studies in another city and will graduate alongside her. She knows her parents will never accept David, and she tries to dissuade him from visiting her family.
Yes, David, well go to my parents later, after we finish our studies, she says, hoping to stall.
When they finally receive their diplomas, Marian quietly packs her belongings and leaves without telling anyone, not even Lisa. She heads not home but to a nearby village where an old schoolmate lives, knowing David will search for her. He spends two weeks waiting, unaware of her whereabouts, before returning home. Their passionate, unpredictable love ends there.
Marian later marries Victor, a calm, caring, sensible man. They have a son, and together they run a family business, though Marian eventually steps back while Victor and their son manage it. She now enjoys a comfortable life, delighting in her twin grandchildren.
She often looks back on her university days with fondness, the memory of David and their whirlwind youth still vivid.
How did I find the strength to walk away? she muses. If we had stayed together, it would have been a disastrous marriage.
Lisa occasionally invites her to alumni gatherings, but Marian declines, fearing an accidental sighting of David, who might arrive with his sister.
What if I cant control my emotions when I see him? she wonders. An affair with him is never an option. Let him keep his memory of me as it was, just as I keep mine.
David, too, eventually marries, has children, and never forgets Marian. When his cousin later mentions that he always loved his little Marian, the sentiment lingers.
A stewardesss voice pulls Marian out of reverie, announcing the planes descent and reminding passengers to fasten seatbelts. At the airport, Diana greets her, invites her to tea, and later they drive together to the cemetery.
Diana points to Davids grave, where his name sits beneath a modest headstone.
Ill wait for you at the gates, Diana says softly. Im leaving you here
Marian replies, Ive finally come, Diana. Ill sit beside you and talk. Youll hear me, even if Im far away. Im sorry I never said goodbye properly; I lacked the strength then. Now Im leaving you behind for good.
They talk for a long while before Marian slowly walks toward the cemetery gates. Diana watches, understanding that Marian needs this final conversation. It is, indeed, their last meeting.
