A story of friendship
Those Days
That Promise
"A story about last benchers, strong bonds, and friendships that stay with us long after school ends."
A story of friendship
"A story about last benchers, strong bonds, and friendships that stay with us long after school ends."
About the Book
"Those Days, That Promise is a nostalgic and deeply emotional story about friendship that shapes our lives. It follows the Last Bench gang, a group bound by laughter, secrets, and unspoken loyalty that began on the very first day of school.
For Sandeep, Pradeep, Sameer, Gopal, Gayatri, and Nidhi, their world was simple and complete, built around classrooms, shared mischief, and friendships that felt unbreakable. Years later, life pulls them in different directions, leaving behind distance, silence, and unfinished emotions.
Two decades on, Gopal is living a quiet, settled life, far removed from those school days, until an unexpected message from Gayatri brings the past rushing back. In a hospital room, facing her final moments, she asks Gopal for one last promise, a promise that will change his life forever. What begins as a farewell becomes a lifelong test of loyalty, friendship, and responsibility, quietly reshaping Gopal’s future and challenging what it truly means to stand by someone."
Told with warmth, humour, and deep nostalgia, Those Days, That Promise explores how childhood bonds endure long after time and circumstances try to erase them, and leaves readers with a simple, powerful question:
Is friendship measured by the years you share, or by the promises you keep?
The Author
connect@anandssoni.com | @asoniwrites
Readers Share
Readers Speak
Reader Reviews
"Overall, it is a tender and emotionally truthful narrative that, with utter calmness, enters one's heart. Rather, it depicts the beauty of daily friendships, silent agreements, and the "moments" that unsuspectingly become "ends". It was through Gopal's experience that we saw how our relationships at school still influence us even when we drift apart. The author has a way of writing that is thoughtful and very straightforward, which helps feelings come up easily. I have to say the book stopped me in my tracks, I thought about old friends and the conversations that were not completed. A read that goes deep into a person's feelings who is sure that some memories do not really disappear."
"It felt like this story flipped through an old photo album of my school days. It's calm, simple, and full of those moments that hit you quietly right in the heart. I really enjoyed how actual the friendships were-messy, warm, and sometimes quite distanced-just like in real life. Nothing dramatic happens, but somehow it made me emotional. While reading it, I kept remembering my own friends and all the things left unsaid aloud. A soft, nostalgic feeling remained during and after finishing the last page."
"Aanand Soni's "Those Days, That Promise" is a beautiful story about friendship that lasts forever. The book takes us back to school days when six friends called themselves The Last Bench Gang. They shared laughs, secrets, and made promises to each other. Twenty years later, Gopal is living a simple life when he suddenly gets a message from his old friend Gayatri. She's in the hospital and asks him to keep one final promise. This request changes his life completely. The story moves between fun school memories and the present day very smoothly. What makes this book special is how it shows that real friends never forget each other, even after many years. Soni writes with warmth and honesty, making you smile at the funny moments and cry at the emotional ones. This novel beautifully reminds us that true friendship isn't about meeting every day but about being there when needed most. The language is easy and conversational. The flow is gripping! Just go for this book!"
"If I could describe this book in one word, it would be nostalgia. It feels like a time machine that takes you straight back to your school days — the laughter, friendships, crushes, and chaos. The story beautifully shifts between past and present as Gopal, now grown up, finds a box full of memories from his school life. Every page made me smile, laugh, and eventually tear up. It perfectly captures football matches, annual functions, bunking classes, and those unforgettable friendships. The ending hits hard, reminding us how time flies. A warm, funny, and emotional read. If you’ve ever missed your school days, this one’s for you."
"Heartfelt, nostalgic, and deeply relatable. The school-day friendships felt so authentic. It’s a simple read with big emotions that stay on your mind long after the final page."
"The story has strong emotions and a good message, though it feels long in places. Still, some scenes really hit hard, especially towards the end."
"I loved the nostalgic vibes and how real the emotions felt. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but the relationships are so well-developed that they stay with you. Definitely give it a read if you're into stories that make you think and feel."
"I didn’t expect this book to hit me so hard. The characters feel like people you actually knew once. The writing is simple, but the emotions run deep. Finished it in two sittings and kept thinking about it even after. Beautifully written."
" Enjoyed the nostalgia and the emotional core of the story. Some parts felt slow, but the relationships and memories felt genuine. Worth reading if you like reflective stories."
"What stood out for me was how relatable the characters felt. It didn’t try too hard to impress. That simplicity is its biggest strength. I found it perfect for quiet reading time."
"Reading this book feels like talking to an old friend about your school days. Nothing in the story feels fake or exaggerated. The feelings are quiet but very strong, and they stay in your mind long after you finish. It is a very honest book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes stories that feel real. The author has narrated it so well that one get immersed and tend to finish this in one go"