FACES OF TRAGEDY (one-shots collection)

Winter's Photograph

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I once had a girlfriend, and I can still remember vividly how she used to make me smile everytime we're hanging out together.

"Hey Winter, I'm here," I mumbled but she's still focused on what she was doing that time.

I turned my back to make a face, she's holding that camera the whole time while ignoring my presence. "Babe!" I looked back to meet her gaze but then a flash suddenly appeared.

"What the--"

"Awww, you're so handsome! The best photograph ever! The annoyed boyfriend!"

I tried to hide my smile by bitting my lips. "Best photograph? Have you forgotten? You said the best one was the moment when we first met, then the first time I courted you, the moment you answered me, and many more. Are you kidding me?"

She looked down while smiling brightly. She pressed her eyeglasses then she look at me once again just to tell me these words; "It's because.. whenever I capture those moments, you're with me. You are the best photograph for me."

She said those words effortlessly but it gave me enough reason to smile.

One time, when we're sitting on the grass while watching the sunset; hearing the music coming from the birds and the wind dancing gracefully, I remembered how she looked like a goddess while peacefully closing her eyes after removing her eyeglasses.

"Winter, you love photographs but you're not aware that you're more beautiful and gorgeous than those."

She opened her eyes and looked up to see the stars slowly appearing. "Babe, I know a lot of quotes about photographs and I memorized my favorites..."

She sighed and continue, "Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever---it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything."

I couldn't read her eyes that time, it seems as if she's really serious about the quote.

"We are making photographs to understand what our lives mean to us," She looked at me, "I love you, I mean it."

"Why so sudden?" I chuckled. "I love you too." and that was the last time we talked as if everything's alright, that nobody nor anything could break us apart.

We broke up---no, she broke up with me without even telling me a valid reason.

"I fell out of love, I'm sorry.."

I chased her, I didn't let her go that easy. But one day I woke up with nothing to chase after anymore. She left and no one bothered to tell me where she is. I tried to search for her, but it seems like she did it on purpose to get rid of me.

I've been wasted, but I lived my life. Though something's missing deep within me. I keep on telling myself; I should live. I need to see her before giving up. I want to say I love you for a million times and hug her for the last time, and if ever she try to push me away, I will leave. Just let me see her. I miss her so much.

Then suddenly my workplace requested me to fly and leave the country for a great opportunity. I thought twice. I don't even know if she's really here or she already left. But still, I accepted it. I need some rest, I want to prepare myself so when the right time comes, I wouldn't lose myself more, 'cause I have nothing to lose anymore.

Then I found her..

The cold breeze of the wind,

the sunset witnessing the moment,

the waves of the sea,

the sand...

and Winter, standing quietly with her dress swaying. Her feet touching the water and her hair gorgeously embracing her cheeks while her eyes were covered with a sunglasses.

"Winter.." I mumbled. Time suddenly turned slow motion then finally, I reached her.

"Who.. are you?" She asked, slightly confuse but I know, she remember me.

"Please look at me. I-I missed you. Winter please, stop torturing me. 7 years were enough. Please comeback.." I beg, but still, she's not looking at me. She's still bowing her head facing the sand with her arms crossed.

"I can't.. I-I can't be with you..." again, she succeed on breaking me again and again. I don't care about the pain...

I just want to see her.

"Winter... Just tell me why, why did you let me suffer for 7 years... just.. why?" I asked, almost a whisper.

My tears escaped. I don't mind if I'll look like a gay 'cause I can't help it, I've been longing for her. She's the reason of my agony but she's just the only one who can heal it too.

"No.." she whispered. I saw her tears behind her sunglasses. "I can't take photos of you anymore..."

Silence filled the whole atmosphere..

I was taken a back.

"T-Then let me. Let me do it... t-this time.. I will. The only thing you have to do is be with me and look at our photographs together..."

I took a step closer but.. she stepped back. It hurts seeing her like that.. It seems like I'm the only one longing here.

"M-My photographs... I have them. I k-kept them.. but no, I thought It'll help me cherish the captured moments but.. I c-can't look at them anymore..." her voice broke until I finally heard silent sobs.

She's crying. My love is crying.. and I can see how hurt she is.

"If it makes you.. f-feel unwell, then don't look at them, we'll capture new moments that we can look upon to--"

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!" She raised her voice..

which is very unusual.

"I-It's.. not that," she cried. "I badly want to look at it... and you don't know how much I'm torn right now!" she sat down and removed her sunglasses to wipe her tears. I kneeled down to face her.

"Then why? Why do you have to leave me? Hmm?" I asked, lowering my voice, undirectly telling her I understand...

"It h-hurts... it hurts to hear your voice..." she sobs. "It's hard to accept that I would never ever see your face again... I'm already blind... I-I'm blind... I-I'm--"

"W-What?" I gasped. "N-No, I mean.. how?"

Everything turned quiet. You could only hear our sobs. She can't speak.. enduring the pain. She couldn't even talk...

"Y-You knew about my eyes, I had a poor eyesight, I knew as the time goes by.. it'll be more complicated." she started, still crying.

"I knew I'll get blind.. t-that's why I always take photographs. I-I knew I wouldn't see the world anymore.. I wouldn't see you anymore.. and I-I tried to memorize every single details of my taken photographs but still.. I-I'm blind. I won't see you again.. I-I'm blind..."

I couldn't utter a single word but my tears are the signs that I'm also hurting about winter's suffering...

"I-I'm already blind. W-Winter's photographs will be nothing anymore.

I-I'm already.. b-blind... I-I'm blind.."