Two-lovers in a-dream

Shakeel Sobhan

“You know sometimes you spend time with someone, and it feels so perfect that you don’t want the night to end. And then you never see them ever again.” “It feels unfair.” “But maybe it’s life’s way of making the fire burn brightest and make you forget that embers last longer.” “Do they?” “Like memories, they die last.” They sat in silence. “I dreamt of you today.” “Was I lost?” “No. But I think I was.” … “We were in an art gallery. There were billions of people. And I was looking for you.” “I feel like I was lost.” “No. You were everywhere you were meant to be. I was the one who was lost.” “Did you find me?” “I’m not sure. I kept seeing you. But you were ephemeral. You kept disappearing.” “Did you keep looking?” “I tried to. I went from painting to painting. Each work of art pointed to your direction. So, I followed. Zeus pointed me to an iron door with drawings of ancient runes, as a faceless man pointed to a corridor made of broken glass. I crossed the roaring waters as the hands of the melting clocks wanted me to. And, stared beyond the misty waves with a wanderer. Venus looked at me accusingly as if I didn’t deserve to know where you were. I dared not disturb the lovers though.” “I can be hard to find.” “Every room I was in had traces of you being there. Yet you weren’t there. Just hope.” “When did you stop looking?” “When I realized that you needed to go. And now was the time to let go.” “And did you?” “I stood still. And willed time to move past me. After a while, there was nothing. Just white walls, and a dim light.” “Thank you.” Spring 2020 | 41

“For looking for you?” “For ceasing. I needed to go. We have already had our perfect night.” They sat in silence. “Do you wish you had this conversation with me, instead of yourself?” “…No…”