Who Are You?

The words that captured the remaining piece of me was nothing of expectation; no sweetness, no warmth, and no love. I was a crumbling master piece that had taken the liking to darkness. I treasured the slow burn of the demanding anguish that seemed to conquer my entire being. I was a servant of pain and solitude, but his words snapped me out of my own impending oblivion—“Death seems to be my friend” he said in dismay.

I first set my glance at him wandering about in the crowded sea of people. He was nothing special—with his worn-out shirt and tainted sneakers—but he stood out amongst others that surrounded him. No one seemed to notice as he screamed in pure agony with his eyes—as if it were reflecting an overflowing despondency. His mouth was curved into the shape of a rainbow, scarce of color and hope. He was bawling for help—for anyone to save him—yet I seem to be the only one that heard his frail soul scream in despair. He stood still as our gaze met—disbelief was given in his forlorn eyes, as he tried to comprehend his silent pain being heard.

Every step was walking on shattered glass and wretched souls. He watched me with cautious scrutiny. I noticed his breath become ragged and uneven the closer I get. I continued to walk towards him until I noticed the little freckles residing on his nose; the color of his eyes visible, mint-green with a tinge of golden specks; rosiness of his lips that seems to pucker out every time our eyes meet. I continued to walk towards him until I was just a foot away.

Time seemed to continue without us, as we stayed unmoving in our place just simply gazing at each other. I wondered whether I should utter the first word to him. I opened my mouth to form a coherent phrase. It may have been an eternity or a decade or a millisecond

“You.” He suddenly voiced out which startled me. His voice was raspy and deep, yet it sounded so soft in my ears. I openly gaped at him, not knowing what he meant.

“Who are you?” He continued with such intensity. I was momentarily dumbfounded as he spoke with overwhelming power. As I tried to compose myself into forming an answer, I couldn’t. I didn’t know what he meant. I tripped over my tongue and scrunch my eyebrows in confusion. He might’ve noticed my incertitude as he let out a heavy sigh.

“uh—Rosie. ” His eyebrows rose in surprise as he wasn’t expecting a reply from me. A faint smile was painted on his lips and his eyes lit up with amusement.

“Rosie.” I shivered as my name escaped those lips of his. I wanted to ask him why he seem to be in misery but I didn’t think that I was in place to ask. He abruptly turned his back at me and began to walk away.

“Hey—wait!” I tried to reach out to him but to no avail.

“Who are you—“ I whispered to myself. I was dazed by the mere fact of how he was quick to dismiss me.