The Goodbye I Never Wanted

By Vaishavi Ashokkumar Oza

Dear Him ,

When the world turned against me, 

when murmurs became daggers in my back,

You stood beside me and said, "I'm with you, Vaish.

Let's fight back together."

You were my shield when I had no strength to stand, 

My voice when fear stole my words.

But now, you're gone.

And I miss you so much that the ache in my chest never fades.

I cry myself to sleep, holding my pillow, wishing it were you.

You were my comfort, my safe place.

And I would die a thousand deaths just to keep you safe.

I want to hear your voice again, to annoy you like 1 used to.

But I know if I try, you'll pull away.

And that kills me more than anything.

I never thought you would lie to me.

You were the one person I believed in,

The one person I thought would never betray me.

But that day, when I saw the truth—

 That you wanted to stay away from me—

 I felt something inside me shatter.

So, I chose to walk away first.

Not because I wanted to, 

but because I never wanted to be a burden to you.

I never wanted to be someone you felt forced to tolerate.

But if I could ask for one thing, just one,

 It wouldn't be for you to come back,

 Nor for things to be how they were.

I'd just ask you to remember me not with regret, Not with guilt,

But with a softness in your heart, knowing that for a moment,

You meant everything to me.

I hope you're okay.

Even if I never get to know.

By Vaishavi Ashokkumar Oza