u/Hungry_Guidance3516

अगली बार जब तुम आओ

तो हवाओं को भी खबर ना हो

कि तुम मेरे शहर में हो

चाँद को भी अंदाज़ा ना लगे

कि मेरी रातों का नूर लौट आया है

कुछ मत लाना साथ अपने

ना फूल

ना लफ़्ज़

ना कोई महंगा सा तोहफ़ा

बस अपनी धड़कन ले आना

जो मेरी धड़कन के पास बैठ कर

अपना घर ढूंढ ले

दुनिया को बाहर ही छोड़ देना

ज़िम्मेदारियों को थोड़ी देर के लिए

इंतज़ार करने देना

और मेरी तरफ यूँ चलना

जैसे दरिया समुंदर की तरफ चलता है

बिना डर

बिना रुकावट

सिर्फ मिलने की ज़िद में

मेरे सामने बैठना

इतना पास कि साँसें उलझ जाएँ

इतना करीब कि ख़ामोशी भी

शर्मा कर झुक जाए

और बातें बेकार लगने लगें

मुझे तुम्हारी आवाज़ से ज़्यादा

तुम्हारी नज़दीकियाँ चाहिए

मुझे तुम्हारी बातों से ज़्यादा

तुम्हारा कंधा चाहिए

जहाँ मैं अपना सर रख कर

थोड़ी देर के लिए दुनिया भूल जाऊँ

अगर मैं तुमसे कुछ माँगूँ

तो अपनी उंगलियाँ मेरी उंगलियों में पिरो देना

और यूँ थामना

जैसे वक़्त को रोक दिया हो

जैसे इस लम्हे के बाद

कुछ भी ज़रूरी ना हो

गले लगना तो इस तरह

कि दोनों के बीच

कोई फ़ासला ज़िंदा ना रहे

जैसे दो अधूरे अल्फ़ाज़

एक ही जुमला बन गए हो

वापस जाने की बात ना करना

उस लम्हे को लंबा होने देना

मेरी पलकों पर अपनी नज़र टिकाए रखना

ताकि मैं हर साँस के साथ

तुम्हें महसूस करता रहूँ

अगली बार जब तुम आओ

तो सिर्फ मेरे लिए आना

सिर्फ इसलिए कि तुम्हें भी

मेरे सीने की धड़कन में

अपना नाम सुनाई देता हो

और जब जाओ

तो अपनी खुशबू

मेरी रूह में उतार कर जाना

ताकि हर तन्हा रात में

मैं आँखें बंद करूँ

और तुम मुझे फिर से

बाहों में मिल जाओ।

अगली बार जब तुम आओ

तो हवाओं को भी खबर ना हो

कि तुम मेरे शहर में हो

चाँद को भी अंदाज़ा ना लगे

कि मेरी रातों का नूर लौट आया है

कुछ मत लाना साथ अपने

ना फूल

ना लफ़्ज़

ना कोई महंगा सा तोहफ़ा

बस अपनी धड़कन ले आना

जो मेरी धड़कन के पास बैठ कर

अपना घर ढूंढ ले

दुनिया को बाहर ही छोड़ देना

ज़िम्मेदारियों को थोड़ी देर के लिए

इंतज़ार करने देना

और मेरी तरफ यूँ चलना

जैसे दरिया समुंदर की तरफ चलता है

बिना डर

बिना रुकावट

सिर्फ मिलने की ज़िद में

मेरे सामने बैठना

इतना पास कि साँसें उलझ जाएँ

इतना करीब कि ख़ामोशी भी

शर्मा कर झुक जाए

और बातें बेकार लगने लगें

मुझे तुम्हारी आवाज़ से ज़्यादा

तुम्हारी नज़दीकियाँ चाहिए

मुझे तुम्हारी बातों से ज़्यादा

तुम्हारा कंधा चाहिए

जहाँ मैं अपना सर रख कर

थोड़ी देर के लिए दुनिया भूल जाऊँ

अगर मैं तुमसे कुछ माँगूँ

तो अपनी उंगलियाँ मेरी उंगलियों में पिरो देना

और यूँ थामना

जैसे वक़्त को रोक दिया हो

जैसे इस लम्हे के बाद

कुछ भी ज़रूरी ना हो

गले लगना तो इस तरह

कि दोनों के बीच

कोई फ़ासला ज़िंदा ना रहे

जैसे दो अधूरे अल्फ़ाज़

एक ही जुमला बन गए हो

वापस जाने की बात ना करना

उस लम्हे को लंबा होने देना

मेरी पलकों पर अपनी नज़र टिकाए रखना

ताकि मैं हर साँस के साथ

तुम्हें महसूस करता रहूँ

अगली बार जब तुम आओ

तो सिर्फ मेरे लिए आना

सिर्फ इसलिए कि तुम्हें भी

मेरे सीने की धड़कन में

अपना नाम सुनाई देता हो

और जब जाओ

तो अपनी खुशबू

मेरी रूह में उतार कर जाना

ताकि हर तन्हा रात में

मैं आँखें बंद करूँ

और तुम मुझे फिर से

बाहों में मिल जाओ।

अगली बार जब तुम आओ

तो हवाओं को भी खबर ना हो

कि तुम मेरे शहर में हो

चाँद को भी अंदाज़ा ना लगे

कि मेरी रातों का नूर लौट आया है

कुछ मत लाना साथ अपने

ना फूल

ना लफ़्ज़

ना कोई महंगा सा तोहफ़ा

बस अपनी धड़कन ले आना

जो मेरी धड़कन के पास बैठ कर

अपना घर ढूंढ ले

दुनिया को बाहर ही छोड़ देना

ज़िम्मेदारियों को थोड़ी देर के लिए

इंतज़ार करने देना

और मेरी तरफ यूँ चलना

जैसे दरिया समुंदर की तरफ चलता है

बिना डर

बिना रुकावट

सिर्फ मिलने की ज़िद में

मेरे सामने बैठना

इतना पास कि साँसें उलझ जाएँ

इतना करीब कि ख़ामोशी भी

शर्मा कर झुक जाए

और बातें बेकार लगने लगें

मुझे तुम्हारी आवाज़ से ज़्यादा

तुम्हारी नज़दीकियाँ चाहिए

मुझे तुम्हारी बातों से ज़्यादा

तुम्हारा कंधा चाहिए

जहाँ मैं अपना सर रख कर

थोड़ी देर के लिए दुनिया भूल जाऊँ

अगर मैं तुमसे कुछ माँगूँ

तो अपनी उंगलियाँ मेरी उंगलियों में पिरो देना

और यूँ थामना

जैसे वक़्त को रोक दिया हो

जैसे इस लम्हे के बाद

कुछ भी ज़रूरी ना हो

गले लगना तो इस तरह

कि दोनों के बीच

कोई फ़ासला ज़िंदा ना रहे

जैसे दो अधूरे अल्फ़ाज़

एक ही जुमला बन गए हो

वापस जाने की बात ना करना

उस लम्हे को लंबा होने देना

मेरी पलकों पर अपनी नज़र टिकाए रखना

ताकि मैं हर साँस के साथ

तुम्हें महसूस करता रहूँ

अगली बार जब तुम आओ

तो सिर्फ मेरे लिए आना

सिर्फ इसलिए कि तुम्हें भी

मेरे सीने की धड़कन में

अपना नाम सुनाई देता हो

और जब जाओ

तो अपनी खुशबू

मेरी रूह में उतार कर जाना

ताकि हर तन्हा रात में

मैं आँखें बंद करूँ

और तुम मुझे फिर से

बाहों में मिल जाओ।

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Love should not arrive quietly

like a polite guest standing at the door.

It should arrive like rain

after a long thirsty summer,

sudden and restless,

touching everything it can.

Love should not feel careful

or ordinary.

It should be the moment

when two people stand close

and the world around them

seems to soften and fade.

A look that speaks

more than a thousand words.

A silence that feels

more alive than noise.

Because life already holds

too many simple things,

too many safe conversations,

too many feelings

that never truly grow.

So if love comes

let it come fierce.

Let it shake the calm inside you.

Let it make your heart

beat a little faster

when their name crosses your mind.

Love should feel rare,

like finding something beautiful

you were not even searching for.

And when it is real

you will know.

Not because it is perfect,

but because it is alive

and extraordinary

in a world that often settles

for less.

Jab mrityu lene aayi mujhe

Darwaza is baar maine khud khola.

Vah chupchaap khadi thi

na kapde ka rang

na chehre ka aakar

sirf ek thandi upasthiti

“Chalo,” usne kaha.

Maine poocha,

“Ab yaad aayi tumhe?”

Vah dheere se muskurayi.

“Main to hamesha paas thi.

Tumne hi pehchanna der se seekha.”

Maine kandhe jhuka diye.

“Dard ka hisaab laayi ho?”

“Tumhare paas hi tha,” usne jawab diya.

“Main to sirf antim rekha hoon.”

Maine apne haath dekhe

jin par adhoori ichchhaon ke nishaan the

“Kya main asafal tha?”

Vah mere bilkul saamne aakar ruki.

“Tum jeena nahi chahte the.

Tum bas sabit karna chahte the.”

“Par kisi ne samjha nahi,”

maine dheere se kaha.

“Tumne khud ko samjha tha?”

uska prashn tez nahi tha

par kaafi tha

Mere paas uttar nahi tha.

Usne meri chaati par haath rakha.

Dhadkan dheemi thi.

“Yeh dil kab se sirf farz nibha raha hai?”

“Bahut pehle se,”

maine sweekar kiya.

“Tumne kab khud ke liye dhadakne diya ise?”

Main chup raha.

Chup rehna hi mera sabse bada hunar tha.

Vah meri aankhon me jhanki.

“Dar lag raha hai?”

“Mujhe jeene se zyada kabhi dar laga tha,”

maine sach kaha.

“Tumse nahi.”

Vah pehli baar thodi si jhuki.

“Tum log mujhe galat samajhte ho.

Main dard nahi deti.

Main bas use rok deti hoon.”

“Phir der kyun ki?”

“Tum ab tak toot rahe the.

Ab kuch bacha hi nahi.”

Mere seene ke andar

ek halka sa khinchav hua.

“Yeh kya hai?”

“Tumhari aatma,” vah boli.

“Thaki hui hai.

Chalne layak bas itni hi.”

Maine poocha,

“Wahan shanti milegi?”

Vah chup rahi.

Uski chup

mere sabhi prashnon ka uttar thi.

“Wahan kuch nahi hai,”

maine khud hi kaha.

“Bilkul,”

usne sweekar kiya.

“Na yaadein

na afsos

na sapne

bas samaapt.”

“Main bhool jaaunga?”

“Tum to pehle hi khud ko bhool chuke the.”

Usne haath badhaya.

Maine dekha

meri deh kursi par baithi thi

jhuki hui

jaise soch me doobi ho

“Yeh sab kab hua?”

“Har baar jab tumne apni awaaz dabaayi.

Har baar jab tumne socha

tum kaafi nahi.”

Maine aakhiri baar kamre ko dekha

deewarein

aaina

woh bistar

“Kisi ko pata chalega?”

“Thodi der ke liye,” vah boli,

“phir sab saamanya ho jayega.”

“Jaise main kabhi tha hi nahi?”

“Tum the,” usne kaha,

“par dheere dheere kam hote gaye.”

Maine apni aatma ko

uske haath me halka sa hilte dekha.

“Ab?”

“Ab chalna hai.”

“Kya wapas aa sakta hoon?”

“Tum kabhi poori tarah the hi nahi

ki wapas aa sako.”

Usne mujhe apne saath kheench liya.

Na roshni thi

na andhera

na sukoon

Bas ek lamba

rekhaheen shunyata

Aakhiri baar maine poocha,

“Main sach me jeeya tha kabhi?”

Usne dheere se kaha,

“Tum jeene se zyada

bachne me vyast the.”

Aur phir

sab awaazein band ho gayi

Na dard

na rahat

Sirf

samaapt

Jab mrityu lene aayi mujhe

Darwaza is baar maine khud khola.

Vah chupchaap khadi thi

na kapde ka rang

na chehre ka aakar

sirf ek thandi upasthiti

“Chalo,” usne kaha.

Maine poocha,

“Ab yaad aayi tumhe?”

Vah dheere se muskurayi.

“Main to hamesha paas thi.

Tumne hi pehchanna der se seekha.”

Maine kandhe jhuka diye.

“Dard ka hisaab laayi ho?”

“Tumhare paas hi tha,” usne jawab diya.

“Main to sirf antim rekha hoon.”

Maine apne haath dekhe

jin par adhoori ichchhaon ke nishaan the

“Kya main asafal tha?”

Vah mere bilkul saamne aakar ruki.

“Tum jeena nahi chahte the.

Tum bas sabit karna chahte the.”

“Par kisi ne samjha nahi,”

maine dheere se kaha.

“Tumne khud ko samjha tha?”

uska prashn tez nahi tha

par kaafi tha

Mere paas uttar nahi tha.

Usne meri chaati par haath rakha.

Dhadkan dheemi thi.

“Yeh dil kab se sirf farz nibha raha hai?”

“Bahut pehle se,”

maine sweekar kiya.

“Tumne kab khud ke liye dhadakne diya ise?”

Main chup raha.

Chup rehna hi mera sabse bada hunar tha.

Vah meri aankhon me jhanki.

“Dar lag raha hai?”

“Mujhe jeene se zyada kabhi dar laga tha,”

maine sach kaha.

“Tumse nahi.”

Vah pehli baar thodi si jhuki.

“Tum log mujhe galat samajhte ho.

Main dard nahi deti.

Main bas use rok deti hoon.”

“Phir der kyun ki?”

“Tum ab tak toot rahe the.

Ab kuch bacha hi nahi.”

Mere seene ke andar

ek halka sa khinchav hua.

“Yeh kya hai?”

“Tumhari aatma,” vah boli.

“Thaki hui hai.

Chalne layak bas itni hi.”

Maine poocha,

“Wahan shanti milegi?”

Vah chup rahi.

Uski chup

mere sabhi prashnon ka uttar thi.

“Wahan kuch nahi hai,”

maine khud hi kaha.

“Bilkul,”

usne sweekar kiya.

“Na yaadein

na afsos

na sapne

bas samaapt.”

“Main bhool jaaunga?”

“Tum to pehle hi khud ko bhool chuke the.”

Usne haath badhaya.

Maine dekha

meri deh kursi par baithi thi

jhuki hui

jaise soch me doobi ho

“Yeh sab kab hua?”

“Har baar jab tumne apni awaaz dabaayi.

Har baar jab tumne socha

tum kaafi nahi.”

Maine aakhiri baar kamre ko dekha

deewarein

aaina

woh bistar

“Kisi ko pata chalega?”

“Thodi der ke liye,” vah boli,

“phir sab saamanya ho jayega.”

“Jaise main kabhi tha hi nahi?”

“Tum the,” usne kaha,

“par dheere dheere kam hote gaye.”

Maine apni aatma ko

uske haath me halka sa hilte dekha.

“Ab?”

“Ab chalna hai.”

“Kya wapas aa sakta hoon?”

“Tum kabhi poori tarah the hi nahi

ki wapas aa sako.”

Usne mujhe apne saath kheench liya.

Na roshni thi

na andhera

na sukoon

Bas ek lamba

rekhaheen shunyata

Aakhiri baar maine poocha,

“Main sach me jeeya tha kabhi?”

Usne dheere se kaha,

“Tum jeene se zyada

bachne me vyast the.”

Aur phir

sab awaazein band ho gayi

Na dard

na rahat

Sirf

samaapt

When Death Came to Take Me

This time, I opened the door myself.

She stood there silently

no color to her clothes

no shape to her face

only a cold presence

“Come,” she said.

I asked,

“So you finally remembered me?”

She smiled faintly.

“I was always near.

You simply learned how to recognize me too late.”

I lowered my shoulders.

“Did you come carrying an account of my pain?”

“It was always with you,” she replied.

“I am only the final line.”

I looked at my hands

marked with the stains of unfinished desires

“Was I a failure?”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“You did not want to live.

You only wanted to prove yourself.”

“But no one understood,”

I said softly.

“Did you understand yourself?”

Her question was not harsh

but it was enough

I had no answer.

She placed a hand upon my chest.

My heartbeat was slow.

“How long has this heart been beating only out of duty?”

“For a very long time,”

I admitted.

“When did you ever allow it to beat for yourself?”

I remained silent.

Silence has always been my greatest skill.

She looked into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

“I was always more afraid of living,”

I told the truth.

“Not of you.”

For the first time, she bent slightly closer.

“You people misunderstand me.

I do not give pain.

I only stop it.”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“You were still breaking apart.

Now there is nothing left to break.”

Inside my chest

I felt a faint pull

“What is this?”

“Your soul,” she said.

“It is exhausted.

Only just capable enough to keep walking.”

I asked,

“Will there be peace there?”

She stayed silent.

Her silence

was the answer to every question I had.

“There is nothing there,”

I said on my own.

“Exactly,”

she accepted.

“No memories

no regrets

no dreams

only an end.”

“Will I be forgotten?”

“You had already forgotten yourself long ago.”

She extended her hand.

I looked back

my body sat in the chair

slumped forward

as though lost in thought

“When did all this happen?”

“Every time you silenced your own voice.

Every time you believed

you were not enough.”

I looked at the room one last time

the walls

the mirror

that bed

“Will anyone notice?”

“For a little while,” she said,

“then everything will return to normal.”

“As if I never existed?”

“You did exist,” she said,

“but little by little

you became less and less.”

I watched my soul

trembling faintly in her hand.

“Now?”

“Now it is time to go.”

“Can I come back?”

“You were never fully here

enough to return.”

She pulled me along with her.

There was no light

no darkness

no peace

Only a long

shapeless emptiness

For the last time, I asked,

“Did I ever truly live?”

She answered softly,

“You were far too busy surviving

to ever really live.”

And then

every sound disappeared

No pain

no relief

Only

the end.

When Death Came to Take Me

This time, I opened the door myself.

She stood there silently

no color to her clothes

no shape to her face

only a cold presence

“Come,” she said.

I asked,

“So you finally remembered me?”

She smiled faintly.

“I was always near.

You simply learned how to recognize me too late.”

I lowered my shoulders.

“Did you come carrying an account of my pain?”

“It was always with you,” she replied.

“I am only the final line.”

I looked at my hands

marked with the stains of unfinished desires

“Was I a failure?”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“You did not want to live.

You only wanted to prove yourself.”

“But no one understood,”

I said softly.

“Did you understand yourself?”

Her question was not harsh

but it was enough

I had no answer.

She placed a hand upon my chest.

My heartbeat was slow.

“How long has this heart been beating only out of duty?”

“For a very long time,”

I admitted.

“When did you ever allow it to beat for yourself?”

I remained silent.

Silence has always been my greatest skill.

She looked into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

“I was always more afraid of living,”

I told the truth.

“Not of you.”

For the first time, she bent slightly closer.

“You people misunderstand me.

I do not give pain.

I only stop it.”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“You were still breaking apart.

Now there is nothing left to break.”

Inside my chest

I felt a faint pull

“What is this?”

“Your soul,” she said.

“It is exhausted.

Only just capable enough to keep walking.”

I asked,

“Will there be peace there?”

She stayed silent.

Her silence

was the answer to every question I had.

“There is nothing there,”

I said on my own.

“Exactly,”

she accepted.

“No memories

no regrets

no dreams

only an end.”

“Will I be forgotten?”

“You had already forgotten yourself long ago.”

She extended her hand.

I looked back

my body sat in the chair

slumped forward

as though lost in thought

“When did all this happen?”

“Every time you silenced your own voice.

Every time you believed

you were not enough.”

I looked at the room one last time

the walls

the mirror

that bed

“Will anyone notice?”

“For a little while,” she said,

“then everything will return to normal.”

“As if I never existed?”

“You did exist,” she said,

“but little by little

you became less and less.”

I watched my soul

trembling faintly in her hand.

“Now?”

“Now it is time to go.”

“Can I come back?”

“You were never fully here

enough to return.”

She pulled me along with her.

There was no light

no darkness

no peace

Only a long

shapeless emptiness

For the last time, I asked,

“Did I ever truly live?”

She answered softly,

“You were far too busy surviving

to ever really live.”

And then

every sound disappeared

No pain

no relief

Only

the end.

When Death Came to Take Me

This time, I opened the door myself.

She stood there silently

no color to her clothes

no shape to her face

only a cold presence

“Come,” she said.

I asked,

“So you finally remembered me?”

She smiled faintly.

“I was always near.

You simply learned how to recognize me too late.”

I lowered my shoulders.

“Did you come carrying an account of my pain?”

“It was always with you,” she replied.

“I am only the final line.”

I looked at my hands

marked with the stains of unfinished desires

“Was I a failure?”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“You did not want to live.

You only wanted to prove yourself.”

“But no one understood,”

I said softly.

“Did you understand yourself?”

Her question was not harsh

but it was enough

I had no answer.

She placed a hand upon my chest.

My heartbeat was slow.

“How long has this heart been beating only out of duty?”

“For a very long time,”

I admitted.

“When did you ever allow it to beat for yourself?”

I remained silent.

Silence has always been my greatest skill.

She looked into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

“I was always more afraid of living,”

I told the truth.

“Not of you.”

For the first time, she bent slightly closer.

“You people misunderstand me.

I do not give pain.

I only stop it.”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“You were still breaking apart.

Now there is nothing left to break.”

Inside my chest

I felt a faint pull

“What is this?”

“Your soul,” she said.

“It is exhausted.

Only just capable enough to keep walking.”

I asked,

“Will there be peace there?”

She stayed silent.

Her silence

was the answer to every question I had.

“There is nothing there,”

I said on my own.

“Exactly,”

she accepted.

“No memories

no regrets

no dreams

only an end.”

“Will I be forgotten?”

“You had already forgotten yourself long ago.”

She extended her hand.

I looked back

my body sat in the chair

slumped forward

as though lost in thought

“When did all this happen?”

“Every time you silenced your own voice.

Every time you believed

you were not enough.”

I looked at the room one last time

the walls

the mirror

that bed

“Will anyone notice?”

“For a little while,” she said,

“then everything will return to normal.”

“As if I never existed?”

“You did exist,” she said,

“but little by little

you became less and less.”

I watched my soul

trembling faintly in her hand.

“Now?”

“Now it is time to go.”

“Can I come back?”

“You were never fully here

enough to return.”

She pulled me along with her.

There was no light

no darkness

no peace

Only a long

shapeless emptiness

For the last time, I asked,

“Did I ever truly live?”

She answered softly,

“You were far too busy surviving

to ever really live.”

And then

every sound disappeared

No pain

no relief

Only

the end.

When Death Came to Take Me

This time, I opened the door myself.

She stood there silently

no color to her clothes

no shape to her face

only a cold presence

“Come,” she said.

I asked,

“So you finally remembered me?”

She smiled faintly.

“I was always near.

You simply learned how to recognize me too late.”

I lowered my shoulders.

“Did you come carrying an account of my pain?”

“It was always with you,” she replied.

“I am only the final line.”

I looked at my hands

marked with the stains of unfinished desires

“Was I a failure?”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“You did not want to live.

You only wanted to prove yourself.”

“But no one understood,”

I said softly.

“Did you understand yourself?”

Her question was not harsh

but it was enough

I had no answer.

She placed a hand upon my chest.

My heartbeat was slow.

“How long has this heart been beating only out of duty?”

“For a very long time,”

I admitted.

“When did you ever allow it to beat for yourself?”

I remained silent.

Silence has always been my greatest skill.

She looked into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

“I was always more afraid of living,”

I told the truth.

“Not of you.”

For the first time, she bent slightly closer.

“You people misunderstand me.

I do not give pain.

I only stop it.”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“You were still breaking apart.

Now there is nothing left to break.”

Inside my chest

I felt a faint pull

“What is this?”

“Your soul,” she said.

“It is exhausted.

Only just capable enough to keep walking.”

I asked,

“Will there be peace there?”

She stayed silent.

Her silence

was the answer to every question I had.

“There is nothing there,”

I said on my own.

“Exactly,”

she accepted.

“No memories

no regrets

no dreams

only an end.”

“Will I be forgotten?”

“You had already forgotten yourself long ago.”

She extended her hand.

I looked back

my body sat in the chair

slumped forward

as though lost in thought

“When did all this happen?”

“Every time you silenced your own voice.

Every time you believed

you were not enough.”

I looked at the room one last time

the walls

the mirror

that bed

“Will anyone notice?”

“For a little while,” she said,

“then everything will return to normal.”

“As if I never existed?”

“You did exist,” she said,

“but little by little

you became less and less.”

I watched my soul

trembling faintly in her hand.

“Now?”

“Now it is time to go.”

“Can I come back?”

“You were never fully here

enough to return.”

She pulled me along with her.

There was no light

no darkness

no peace

Only a long

shapeless emptiness

For the last time, I asked,

“Did I ever truly live?”

She answered softly,

“You were far too busy surviving

to ever really live.”

And then

every sound disappeared

No pain

no relief

Only

the end.

When Death Came to Take Me

This time, I opened the door myself.

She stood there silently

no color to her clothes

no shape to her face

only a cold presence

“Come,” she said.

I asked,

“So you finally remembered me?”

She smiled faintly.

“I was always near.

You simply learned how to recognize me too late.”

I lowered my shoulders.

“Did you come carrying an account of my pain?”

“It was always with you,” she replied.

“I am only the final line.”

I looked at my hands

marked with the stains of unfinished desires

“Was I a failure?”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“You did not want to live.

You only wanted to prove yourself.”

“But no one understood,”

I said softly.

“Did you understand yourself?”

Her question was not harsh

but it was enough

I had no answer.

She placed a hand upon my chest.

My heartbeat was slow.

“How long has this heart been beating only out of duty?”

“For a very long time,”

I admitted.

“When did you ever allow it to beat for yourself?”

I remained silent.

Silence has always been my greatest skill.

She looked into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

“I was always more afraid of living,”

I told the truth.

“Not of you.”

For the first time, she bent slightly closer.

“You people misunderstand me.

I do not give pain.

I only stop it.”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“You were still breaking apart.

Now there is nothing left to break.”

Inside my chest

I felt a faint pull

“What is this?”

“Your soul,” she said.

“It is exhausted.

Only just capable enough to keep walking.”

I asked,

“Will there be peace there?”

She stayed silent.

Her silence

was the answer to every question I had.

“There is nothing there,”

I said on my own.

“Exactly,”

she accepted.

“No memories

no regrets

no dreams

only an end.”

“Will I be forgotten?”

“You had already forgotten yourself long ago.”

She extended her hand.

I looked back

my body sat in the chair

slumped forward

as though lost in thought

“When did all this happen?”

“Every time you silenced your own voice.

Every time you believed

you were not enough.”

I looked at the room one last time

the walls

the mirror

that bed

“Will anyone notice?”

“For a little while,” she said,

“then everything will return to normal.”

“As if I never existed?”

“You did exist,” she said,

“but little by little

you became less and less.”

I watched my soul

trembling faintly in her hand.

“Now?”

“Now it is time to go.”

“Can I come back?”

“You were never fully here

enough to return.”

She pulled me along with her.

There was no light

no darkness

no peace

Only a long

shapeless emptiness

For the last time, I asked,

“Did I ever truly live?”

She answered softly,

“You were far too busy surviving

to ever really live.”

And then

every sound disappeared

No pain

no relief

Only

the end.

When Death Came to Take Me

This time, I opened the door myself.

She stood there silently

no color to her clothes

no shape to her face

only a cold presence

“Come,” she said.

I asked,

“So you finally remembered me?”

She smiled faintly.

“I was always near.

You simply learned how to recognize me too late.”

I lowered my shoulders.

“Did you come carrying an account of my pain?”

“It was always with you,” she replied.

“I am only the final line.”

I looked at my hands

marked with the stains of unfinished desires

“Was I a failure?”

She stopped directly in front of me.

“You did not want to live.

You only wanted to prove yourself.”

“But no one understood,”

I said softly.

“Did you understand yourself?”

Her question was not harsh

but it was enough

I had no answer.

She placed a hand upon my chest.

My heartbeat was slow.

“How long has this heart been beating only out of duty?”

“For a very long time,”

I admitted.

“When did you ever allow it to beat for yourself?”

I remained silent.

Silence has always been my greatest skill.

She looked into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?”

“I was always more afraid of living,”

I told the truth.

“Not of you.”

For the first time, she bent slightly closer.

“You people misunderstand me.

I do not give pain.

I only stop it.”

“Then why did you wait so long?”

“You were still breaking apart.

Now there is nothing left to break.”

Inside my chest

I felt a faint pull

“What is this?”

“Your soul,” she said.

“It is exhausted.

Only just capable enough to keep walking.”

I asked,

“Will there be peace there?”

She stayed silent.

Her silence

was the answer to every question I had.

“There is nothing there,”

I said on my own.

“Exactly,”

she accepted.

“No memories

no regrets

no dreams

only an end.”

“Will I be forgotten?”

“You had already forgotten yourself long ago.”

She extended her hand.

I looked back

my body sat in the chair

slumped forward

as though lost in thought

“When did all this happen?”

“Every time you silenced your own voice.

Every time you believed

you were not enough.”

I looked at the room one last time

the walls

the mirror

that bed

“Will anyone notice?”

“For a little while,” she said,

“then everything will return to normal.”

“As if I never existed?”

“You did exist,” she said,

“but little by little

you became less and less.”

I watched my soul

trembling faintly in her hand.

“Now?”

“Now it is time to go.”

“Can I come back?”

“You were never fully here

enough to return.”

She pulled me along with her.

There was no light

no darkness

no peace

Only a long

shapeless emptiness

For the last time, I asked,

“Did I ever truly live?”

She answered softly,

“You were far too busy surviving

to ever really live.”

And then

every sound disappeared

No pain

no relief

Only

the end.