"Do you love me?" he asks her.
She looks away, not sure whether her answer would still be relevant.
She teases, "Don't torture me". Her words masquerading pride, trying to hide the truth and preserve whatever dignity she had left.
Silence ensues, both not knowing what to say. The past few days have been confusing to both of them. There were unspoken feelings, unanswered questions.
He's dying to know.
She's dreading the no.
Maybe he loves her after all, she would think. And maybe there's a chance that he would love her. But it would be a love born out of pity. And she knows she deserves better and that she does not deserve what she wants.
Against her better judgment, she confesses, "I do," her voice barely a whisper. "I love you."
The colors red and white are pigmenting on her skin. She promised to herself to never ever confess to him because he doesn't deserve to hear those words coming out of her mouth. She thought, how can someone be still so oblivious to obvious emotions?
On the other hand, he couldn't stay still. His heart is beating faster every time he replays the words in his head.
Did he hear it right?
No love has lasted with him for long and she has not been loved for so long.
"But it doesn't matter," she mumbles, referring to her confession. His brows furrowed. Why is she feeling sad when she professed her love for him? He thought his actions resonated how much he loves her too. And then it hits him that maybe it didn't. He can feel her sorrowful heart in his heavy chest.
"Why?" he tries to clarify. "Why doesn't it matter?"
She sighs slowly, blinking away the tears. After a pause, she tells him, "Unrequited feelings don't matter."
YOU ARE READING
Stripped
Poetry"There's art in vulnerability There's beauty in being naked One can only be in its rawest form When not even flesh can hide the secrets from within" According to research, humans have six basic emotions. Stripped is a collection of poems that sho...
