At the old bridge where hordes of people were waiting, you emerged right by my side. You were firmly holding a lantern while your eyes were fixated at the spirited night sky. You held your lantern close as you tried to light it up. But you failed to make it alive for the wind was a dancer and too ravishing that the fire couldn't resist. The fire wanted to dance with her, he twirled with the wind but never did he think that he might lose his life.
I thought I was laughing inwardly because of you but then, the glow in your eyes moved and the next thing I knew, those have been already locked up with mine. Which I regret a lot.
I knew that time, we are those faint sparks.
Wandering and wandering until we met in the middle of crossroads. And there, the connection of our roads began.
Again, the next thing I knew, I was traveling the same road with you. We were running with our hands interlaced with each other. We were grinning like wild fools. We were throwing our free hands aloft. And when it rains amidst the journey, I would step at the puddles over and over and you would join me. We were like kids, exchanging unstrained laughs. The rainfall would stop and we thought that the state of felicity has totally perished but after that, the blue sky will reveal itself again, showing hundreds of rainbows. We would dance with the open sunshine, spread our arms and feel the spirit of the nice world.
At night, we would build a tent for the two of us. I would feel cold and that's an unspoken signal for you to build a bonfire to give me sufficient warmth. But I would shake my head for it isn't what my body needs. The warmth you emit is the healing I want to feel.
Then you would start to drape your arms around me, holding me like I'm the most precious treasure you've kept to the deepest ocean. And every time you hold me so close, you always make me feel that there is no need to rent a place while going through these long trips. Because just by holding your hand, I'm already home. You're the type of home that I bring everywhere.
When the dawn has been disclosed, we would resume the never-ending trip to anywhere again.
But sometimes life needs a little shaking. Just to show you if some things really last forever or not.
And it finally happened.
There came a big storm that lasted for weeks. We were both soggy and kept trying our best to tighten our weak bones in the midst of ranging thunders and creeps of lightning. We were shivering unceasingly to the point that our teeth would clash each other. I tried to make the atmosphere less formidable as possible but you just cracked a faint smile.
And by that moment, I already knew what does that smile trying to imply.
We rested on an old wooden bench for days after the storm. The atmosphere switched back into being calm and a bunch of birds was roaming the skyline again. They were rejoicing through spreading their wings, sighing because at last, they could flutter them again against the wind. I did the same thing too. I lifted my arms in the sky and closed my eyes. I was busy feeding my heart with the captivating scenery that I almost forgot you. I was surprised to see myself walking farther and father... away from you.
We both stopped in our tracks.
We knew that time we are those faint sparks.
Our roads met and we collided. The collision caused us to ignite until we built a big fire. Our flames were once invincible and alive. But there were bad days and nights that tried to split our one-way road away from each other. It was hard fighting against the wind, knowing that both of you were just some mere sparks that accidentally turned into a fire.
Our eyes were locked with each other. Until another road appeared at your side. Indicating that our journey stops there. You have to take your own, as I take mine too. Just what we used to be.
And as you head towards that road, you dared to look back and mouthed the final goodbye.
And perhaps, it's really supposed to end that way. To the most painful way.
The memorable ride with you may have stopped there but I still have another station waiting for me. I have to move my feet and keep going. Because it won't wait for me forever. So, I might as well take it instead of getting stuck in this desolated road. On a road that every time I look back, there are traces of you.
Your laughter and your presence still linger in the air. And I know I have to run, yes, I have to run because the air that once made me breathe was already suffocating me.
I have to get over you and reach for my own journey.
After all, we were just sparks. The fleeting sparks.
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Note:
Probably this is the shortest and lamest one shot you had ever read in your entire cute life but I hope you did enjoy reading it. Thank you so much for reading!
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The Fleeting Sparks
Short StoryOnce upon a time, there were two sparks. Wandering and wandering until they met in the middle of crossroads. And there, the connection of their journey began.