Unseen Role

In the story of my own life, I played the lead role in a love story.

From my personal perspective, I could only ever see the 'you' right in front of my eyes.

In our script, I played my part, always accommodating your performance. My gaze was fixed solely on your every move, every gesture.

And the camera? It never gave me a close-up, because in my eyes, I only ever saw the good in you.

I was like a camera lens, documenting your every smile, the warmth of your hand every time you held mine, the look on your face each time you closed your eyes to kiss me. All those scenes are etched deep onto the filmstrip of my mind, cast in eternal light and shadow.

I thought our script was two hours long, but we only made it through half.

Suddenly, the plot took an unexpected twist. I could sense the story rushing toward its final act.

The 'you' in front of the lens no longer smiled at me. You gradually morphed into a character I didn't recognize. The most profound image is your cold profile and the sudden, explosive burst of emotion. The most heartbreaking scene is your face streaked with tears as you said you wanted to end it all.

The focus started to blur. I could no longer clearly see your face.

When the lens finally focused again, all I saw was your back, walking away from me.

The curtain fell, and the audience erupted in applause. Only I remained, shedding tears for the story's end. You, however, gracefully stepped out of the role, ready to embrace a new script.

Perhaps my part in your story simply concluded early, or perhaps you've already moved on to a different stage.

And now I am in the audience, watching you on the screen with another him, continuing a different tale.

Like the other spectators, I watch your performance. Perhaps, sitting here in the audience, I can finally interpret our past with a wider, more detached perspective.

I smile, then leave the theatre, my seat still holding a residual warmth.

I take nothing with me but the beautiful memories from our story.

"The 'me' you fell in love with could never take his place."