The Last Conversation

By Ananya Tiwari

The Last Conversation

The one who didn’t get a chance to apologize for the agony they gave to a person who only cherished them. All the regrets and unspoken feelings remain hidden. At the end, the gloomy cloud of grief settles with you forever as a dark mist.

Tears were stringing down from my eyes like a river. The heaved-air surrounding the sobbing crowd wasn’t really a help. I could hardly breathe while people mourned. My eyes didn’t want to land on the person who once held my hand bury deep inside.

With every passerby showing sympathy reminded me of his bright smiles and made the situation worse. I saw him one last time and I felt as if he signaled me through the filthy air that I am not alone. That’s trident and probably everyone feel these things when a beloved person dies. But I am not delusional; this unexpected sign was something precious.

A flood of sorrowful emotions covered my mind which turned my ship over. Sleepless as I was, I decided to roam in the lawn. The lawn was like a bark which supported me in crisis. I crossed the fence with difficult steps hoping to leave some of my grief on these blithe creatures. We used to converse in intellectual mysteries and sometimes our final goodbyes. Looks like he was the one who went through it before me. 

I sat on the glimmering grass when a hand grabbed my forearm gently to show affection. I was imagining things but still glanced at my side. A glow-worm emitting all the light it held. It looked magical and comforting in the dark. The only light visible was of the moon. A spontaneous tear slipped from my eyes as I wished him to be here by my side.

It will take an eternity for me to finally accept the dismal. I perched on a bench and looked around; everything was peacefully soothing with crickets and cicadas. Will he miss me the way I did? Will he send a messenger for me? Will he forget me? Time stopped to accommodate my shredding drops.

My heart thundered in my chest when an airy voice passed my eardrums. The voice was familiar, yet not human-like. Was I dreaming or my brain was just thorny from grief? It took no moment for the air beside me to speak serenely anew. I was then convinced that he’ll never let me feel unloved.

I felt almost brainless when I opened my mouth to speak as if I would ever get a consoling response. I was proved erroneous when the same voice replied in a joyous tone. The most unnerving and unforgettable conversation transpired in my life which fixed my shattered heart to beat even more satisfyingly.

ME: I’m stunned but not scared; I knew you’ll feel burdensome without having a last conversation with me. 

HE: No one knows me more than you. Shall we get a better hold on our love and thoughts?

ME: No! Don’t think you can escape the explanation you owe me young man. Did you even thought about me once? You’re coldhearted.

ME: It’s treacherous how you betrayed me; our plans and us!

HE: Poor you! Going through a lot right now I see, I’m glad I decided to come here otherwise you could’ve been vulnerable.

ME: Why you’re not visible? I know what I’m witnessing is ghostly and I should be screaming, but your love has usurped my fears.

HE: I’ve gone beyond my limitations to meet you for ‘one last time’. You should be grateful that you can hear me.

ME: How long will you stay with me? 

HE: Though I’m not like you; I reside in the air as a blithe spirit. I’ll be in your heart until someone else purloins it. Will someone else be having that privilege?

ME: No one can ever take your place! I’m devoted to you…this melancholy is now a part of my temperament. Your benevolence will be preached.

A swish of what felt like heaven smiling down at me struck. His presence vanished into thin air leaving me flabbergasted and in ceaseless musing.

THE END 

By Ananya Tiwari