It happened on one of those days that make #Helsinki look grey. Mist engulfing the city one street at a time and soaking us all, down to our bones, if we don’t find shelter fast enough.
I was exhausted, waiting in the bus with my hat still on and slightly wet toes. One of those times when the only true calling in life is a warm blanket.
That’s when I saw them. I never knew their names. An old couple facing each other. I could not tell their age but they must have been somebody’s grandparents. Maybe great-grandparents? Him in a trench coat, she with a blue long rain jacket. A dash of color in a dull bus station canvas.
They were silently staring at each other. It might have been only for few seconds but it felt like you could have written a whole lifetime in that silence, from her look to his gaze.
And then, they hugged. She dived into his arms, he slid into hers. The world kept revolving around them, buses coming and leaving, people rushing, umbrellas poking their way around but I swear that the mist froze in mid-air. The light stood still. Our world kept moving but the universe noticed. Something unique was unfolding in front of my eyes. That embrace… All the sadness in the world filled my eyes, thoughts of nostalgia and good-byes flooded my mind. They hugged, they hugged for long. They stayed in each other’s arms in such a deep way, intense. A quiet hug that was screaming for time. More time. Please.
I never knew their names. I never knew their story. But I could tell, I could tell how they were trying to imprint the other one’s fragrance, presence, strength one last time. They were drafting a color picture in a sepia album. A new memory in a notebook full of shared emotions.
It was a long hug. Longer than what any of us has given in a long time, I promise you. It was a farewell hug. I won’t see you again hug. It was devastating.
It was the most beautiful hug I have ever seen.
My bus left. I never saw them break apart. In my heart, they’re still hugging. They will always be.
[Originally published on Fb page]