Still Hoping

By Nisha Murali

Sipping on the last tiny portion of liquor

All that’s left from the entire week

She ran her fingers across the mist-tarnished windowpanes Reminding the lustful nights of romance with him against these windows The night sky so quiet and tranquil wrecking in her the gloominess Like the innocence concealing his

vehemence

Weeks have passed and months too

She wonders yet surrenders every other night

Neither the stars could cry for her, nor the clouds could comfort her But all could do was to shine amidst the obscuring darkness Hoping to bring her a better tomorrow

As she snuggled herself tightly, fell asleep to the smell of his shirt.

By Nisha Murali