In the Candlelight Darkness

Our little room was dark and we sat blindly, in silence. Looking at the nothingness the light left behind. I could hear you breathing. The only sign to show me you are in the room with me. Similarly, my deep breaths were the only way I indicated to you that I’m still there. Was the thought comforting? Or did you want to stay in the room alone? Time passed on, while the darkness lingered around. Time passed by some more, and then you spoke. Your voice was barely a whisper. You were tired of the darkness. You wanted to see the light again. And in this room, I always carry the candle.

I sat in silence. I was getting used to the darkness. My mind felt empty for once. But I gave in. I lit the candle. We were bathed in the soft glow, glimmering, illuminating our little world. Shadows were cast and every movement we made, made the walls come alive. I smiled at you. You smiled back. We were enjoying the light. There was a feeling of new found splendor in the room. It was like a secret that we shared. I looked around at the shadows. They were waiting to mimic me.

I saw you looking at the candle, and its flame. The dancing flame in your eyes did not illuminate the back of your mind. You left me wondering what you were thinking. You got up and walked up to me and held my hand. For a long time we stood there, just looking at each other. Then you looked at the candle once more. What were you thinking? I did not want to ask. You let go of my hand and looked away. I was waiting for you to turn back to me, but you were looking at the shadows now. I looked away; I did not want to see the shadows again. You turned back to me and gave a weak smile. It was nothing like the smile you gave me before. In the back of my head, I felt a slight tinge of suspicion creep in. I watched as you looked at the candle again.

It was as if the light was confusing you. Did it make you see things you did not want to see? Were you dissatisfied with what the light showed of me? Would you rather indulge in the blind oblivion that the darkness presented? Everything was alright a moment ago. Is the light playing tricks on your eyes? An abundance of thoughts ran through my head as I watched you in silence. Your eyes had a shadow, I have never seen before. When you looked at me, it felt like you were looking right through me as if you didn’t see me. Then you leant forward and blew the candle, bathing us in the darkness again.

You stood up and walked away from me, walking confidently as if you could see clearly in the dark. I watched your figure move away from me. You opened the door and stepped out of the room, leaving me in the darkness. You did not even look back nor say a word. You just left me with a mystery, alone in the darkness and closed the door behind you.

If you never wanted the light why did you tell me to light the candle?

~ by The Unsilent on January 26, 2009.