Question
You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words on the following topic:
‘The Reunion.’ Describe a moment when two people meet each other after a long time apart.
Model Essay
The old train station, with its high vaulted ceilings and echoing footsteps, was the perfect backdrop for the momentous reunion that was about to take place. The air was thick with anticipation as people hurried past, their faces a blur of urgency and routine. Amidst the bustling crowd, Clara stood by the designated meeting spot, her heart pounding in her chest. She checked her watch for the hundredth time, willing the minutes to pass faster. It had been fifteen years since she had last seen her childhood friend, Emma, and the prospect of their reunion filled her with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Clara’s mind raced back to their last day together, standing on the same platform, tearfully promising to stay in touch as Emma boarded the train to move abroad. Life had taken them on different paths—Emma’s career in art had flourished in Paris, while Clara’s work as a journalist kept her rooted in New York. Despite the distance and the years that had passed, their bond had remained strong through letters, emails, and occasional phone calls. But now, after years of planning and hoping, they were finally about to meet face to face.
The announcement of the train’s arrival snapped Clara out of her reverie. She stood on tiptoe, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Passengers began to disembark, and Clara’s heart skipped a beat with each passing second. Then, amidst the throng of travelers, she saw her—a figure that had changed yet remained unmistakably the same. Emma, with her fiery red hair now streaked with hints of silver, and her vibrant green eyes that still sparkled with the same youthful exuberance.
Time seemed to slow as they spotted each other. Clara felt a lump in her throat and tears pricked her eyes. She took a hesitant step forward, and then another, until she was running, her arms outstretched. Emma’s face broke into a wide smile, mirroring Clara’s emotions. They collided in a tight embrace, the years of separation melting away in an instant. Neither spoke for a few moments, content to simply hold on, savoring the long-awaited reunion.
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When they finally pulled back, Clara noticed the subtle changes in Emma’s face—lines that spoke of laughter and life’s trials, a maturity that hadn’t been there before. Yet, the essence of her friend remained unchanged. Emma’s eyes were brimming with tears as she cupped Clara’s face, a gesture that transported them back to their teenage years.
“Clara, it’s really you,” Emma whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
“It’s me,” Clara replied, her own voice shaky. “And you’re here. After all this time.”
They walked to a nearby café, their conversation a joyful torrent of memories and updates. They laughed about old times, shared stories of their successes and failures, and spoke of the dreams they still held dear. It was as if they were trying to make up for all the lost time in that single afternoon. The connection they had maintained through words and digital screens now felt complete, solidified by their physical presence.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the station, Clara and Emma knew that their friendship had not only survived the years but had grown stronger. The reunion was not just a meeting of old friends; it was a reaffirmation of a bond that time and distance had only deepened. They parted that evening with a promise to never let so much time pass between their meetings again, their hearts full and their spirits renewed by the unbreakable ties of their enduring friendship.
Word Count: 596