+ short story by Gi-an +

She looked up to the night sky to find solace she knew she could never truly gain. The stars seemed to mock her pain. The moon barely glowed in its waning light. It felt like the world knew of her sorrow and of her pitiful predicament. She was a fool for the world and she realized it moments too late. She chose the path of a hidden woe and she couldn’t turn back – not now, not ever.

She peered through the blinds to the city below. The busy streets were muted by the thick glass of her window 5 floors up. Her office was too quiet for her raging conscience. Not even the mellow music from her radio could soothe the growing guilt in her heart. She cursed herself for being so blind and cruel. She felt haunting regret but what could she do? Work was work and that was that.

She walked to her office wall and stared at the framed pieces. To the left were pictures carrying memories of a colorful and almost well lived past. To the right were the numerous achievements she had gained to build a reputation she thought was a dream. She stared silently. What good were all those awards and achievements if they only took away an essential part of her world – her humanity?

She caught sight of a picture on the lower end of the west side of the wall. It was almost completely covered in dust. She took it from where it hung and wiped away the dusty layer off the clear glass. Here was a reminder of better days. Her vision blurred as tears formed in her eyes. Yes, this was the last picture they had together with smiles on their faces as they held to each other in a friendly embrace. It was such a shame moments like that couldn’t last.

The clock on the opposite wall chimed 8:00 pm. Since no more clients came to her door, she decided to get off early. She arranged her things and took her coat. She turned out the light and locked the door behind her. As she made her way out the building, she felt her heavy heart prod her conscious mind. Instead of taking the usual route home, she took a detour she knew she would never take for granted again.

She presented her ID and her pass to the guard at the front door. Before she knew it, she was in an enclosed room waiting for that other face in the picture. Suddenly, the door on the opposite end of the room opened. Two men came into the room – one was a man in the typical police uniform and the other, a familiar face in an orange suit with cuffs on his hands. As his cuffs were removed, he took a seat on the other side of the table. The officer left and closed the door behind him but she knew he was just on the other side, waiting for the conversation to be over.

Now that he sat there staring at her, she seemed to lose her resolve. Why did she even decide to visit him anyway? She couldn’t even look him in the eye but she knew his gaze was directly at her. She summoned every ounce of courage she could muster and looked him straight in the eye. She couldn’t stop that single tear from falling down her eye as she spoke with sincerity and utmost guilt. “I’m sorry it had to be this way.” She bent her head and let the tears fall.

He stood from where he sat and went to her side. He cupped her chin in his hand and lifted her face to the light. It was dim but it was enough to let her see the calmness on his face. There was forgiveness in his eyes in spite of the cruel fate she had allowed him to endure. She denied their friendship the moment she let the verdict be carried out. She knew he was innocent but she couldn’t prove it. Now here he was, made to suffer for many years. He spoke gently. “Deny me once or however many times but true friendship is never lost. You’re still my greatest friend and you always will be. You’re forgiven. Please forgive me for my own shortcomings.”

In that moment she felt her heart go sore. It ached to see him like this. She wished she could go back in time and keep this sorry scene from ever happening. Alas, no one had that power. The officer knocked twice on the door and entered. Time was up. She watched him cuff her dearest friend and guide him to the door.

He asked the officer to stop a moment and he turned back to look at her. There were tears in his eyes and he smiled. He said, “Thank you.” She walked toward him and hugged him at least one more time. She smiled weakly back at him. She whispered to him, “No, thank you.” The officer then escorted him back to the shadows of a cold and dreary cell.

As she walked out of the station, it felt like even a little of her burden was lifted. Just to see him smile again was like a breath of fresh air. Making her way to her apartment, she made a silent promise. Somehow, she would help him. Someday, things would be right again – when the world was just another place for two true friends to explore.

Labels: Literature

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