A FARAWAY STAR
"I want to be braver. I want to take more risks,” I said, when you asked what I would do if I could turn back time. You laughed. “Like… marrying me?” I froze. Laughed back, but emptily. Marry. One word that’s always been too big for us; too beautiful, too dangerous. Not because we don’t love each other, but precisely because we do. “We shouldn’t take this for granted, should we?” you said, light-hearted, as you scooped the last bite of mie ayam into your mouth. You smiled even while chewing; God, that smile still bloomed as if nothing was ending. “No. Of course not. We should celebrate this, actually. After everything, we’ve finally grown brave enough… brave enough to say ‘enough’.” I tried to sound light, like you. But my heart was sinking, a ship swallowed whole by a silent ocean. Right after today, we’ll return to the unknown. Your number will become just another name buried in my contacts, one that will ...