The Line Doesn’t End Where We Think It Does

“Did you mean to call, or was this just another accident?”

“I don’t believe in accidents anymore.”

“That’s new.”

“So is hearing your voice without bracing myself.”

“You sound older.”

“Of course, I am much older now. You sound like you finally got some sleep.”

“I did. Once.”

“Congratulations.”

“Don’t be like that.”

“Like, honest?”

“Like, distant.”

“You called from a distance, after so many years.”

“I called because the room felt just too small.”

“You never liked small rooms.”

“I hate echoes more.”

“Are you alone? Is there anyone with you?”

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t lie about that.”

“You’ve lied about worse.”

“I’ve learned.”

“From who?”

“From losing so much.”

“You’re good at turning guilt into wisdom.”

“And you’re good at turning silence into control.”

“That’s not fair.”

“It’s familiar.”

“So why now?”

Because tomorrow cannot change.

“Nothing ever is with you.”

“They’re asking for answers.”

“You hate being asked.”

“I hate pretending I don’t hear.”

“You could still say no.”

“I’ve said no my whole life.”

“And look where that got you.”

“Standing.”

“Alone.”

“Standing matters.”

“Only if someone sees you.”

“I see you.”

“You always say that after you’re gone.”

“I’m not gone.”

“You left.”

“I moved. It's been so many years already”

“You disappeared.”

“I had to leave. I survived.”

“At a distance.”

“At a cost.”

“Is this another final goodbye rehearsal?”

“If it were, you wouldn’t answer.”

“You’re right.”

“So what do you want?”

“I want you to stop pretending this doesn’t matter.”

“It matters too much.”

“That’s not an excuse.”

“It’s a warning.”

“You’re afraid.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Of me?”

“Of what I become when I choose you.”

“You make it sound dangerous.”

“You make it sound easy.”

“It’s neither. It was never easy.”

“They’re counting down.”

“Who are they?”

“Everyone who needs a decision.”

“You always gather judges.”

You always avoid making decisions.

“I just want time.”

“You’ve spent it all, there's none left.”

“I want one honest minute.”

“Then don’t rush it.”

“I can hear the clock.”

“You always could.”

“Say something real.”

“I’m tired of being the brave one.”

“I never asked you to be.”

“You benefited from that.”

“So did you.”

“I waited for so long.”

“You watched.”

“That’s not the same.”

“Watching hurts too.”

“You don’t bleed.”

“You don’t see the scars.”

“You never showed me.”

“You never stayed long enough.”

“That’s cruel.”

“That’s timing.”

“If I stay, I lose myself.”

“If you leave, you lose me.”

You say that like you are using it against me.

“It’s a consequence.”

“Why does love always sound like a threat with you?”

“Because you only hear it when it’s loud.”

“I didn’t know how to be quiet with you.”

“You didn’t make the effort to.”

“I was afraid of disappearing.”

“You disappeared. And now?”

“Now I’m afraid of being alone.”

“That’s honest.”

“Is it enough?”

“Almost.”

“Almost doesn’t save anything.”

“Neither does certainty.”

“They’re calling again.”

“Let it ring.”

“I can’t.”

“You always say that.”

“This time it’s true.”

“Say my name.”

“You know it.”

“Say it anyway.”

“…Ava.”

“Thank you.”

“You needed that?”

“I needed to hear I still exist to you.”

“You do.”

“Not as a memory.”

“Not as a mistake.”

“Then what?”

“As a question I never finished answering.”

“I don’t know how to answer without breaking something.”

“Break it.”

“I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You already have.”

“Then why are you still here?”

“Because hurt isn’t the same as ending.”

“You’re good with words.”

“You taught me.”

“I taught you how to leave.”

“You taught me how to stay too long.”

“Listen.”

“I am.”

“No, really.”

“…The noise stopped.”

“That’s never good.”

“Or it means they decided.”

“For you?”

“For everyone.”

“What did you decide?”

“I decided to stop running from this call.”

“That’s not a plan.”

“It’s a beginning.”

“You’re late.”

“I know.”

“I don’t know if I can forgive you.”

“I’m not asking.”

“Then what are you asking?”

“For permission to try.”

“You never wait for permission.”

“I’m learning.”

“They’re opening the door.”

“Then say it.”

“Say what?”

“What you’ll regret not saying.”

“I loved you in all the wrong ways.”

“And?”

“And I want to learn the right ones. I hope it's not too late.”

“With me?”

“If you’ll let me.”

“I can’t promise anything.”

“I’m not asking for promises.”

“Just presence?”

“Just honesty.”

“…I’m still here.”

“So am I.”

“Even if this changes everything?”

“Especially then.”

If this goes wrong...

“Stop.”

If this is the end...

“It doesn’t end here.”

“You sound sure.”

“I sound willing.”

“Are you staying on the line?”

“Yes.”

“No matter what happens next?”

“Yes.”

“…Are you still there?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“Good.”