Do you ever feel like you're just a person whom people come to in order to feel BETTER and then they just bail when they do?
Claire explained to me as if she already knew, like it wasn't so much of a question, anyway—just something which required some companionship.
They were parked outside her apartment in her car, not either of them making a move for the door. Rain pattered softly against the windshield, steady and light.
Oliver stared ahead, watching the blur of headlights passing through the mist.
“Yeah,” he said after a while. “Like you’re a PLACE, not a person. Somewhere temporary.”
Claire smiled, but it was the kind that hurt to look at.
“I don't think that people ever mean to do,” she said.
And then, occasionally, you are their solace. Their sanity. Their sanctuary. And when they've had what they were seeking, they remember that you are just a human being—with your own mess and they do NOT want to stay for the other part of it.
Oliver shook his head. He understood what she was telling him. The sort of pain which builds up NOT because you feel lonely, but because you're only seen when they needed you to see.
Claire moved in beside him.
“And the worst thing?” she breathed.
“You start thinking you're worth as long as you hurt for other people. Not the way you are when you're not needed by anyone.”
It rained harder. The two of them stood there.
And in the still space between them, something tender bloomed—
A shared comprehension.
A grief too near words to be put into words.
About the Creator
Komal
I write poems and stories that hit the feels.
When I’m not lost in my own plots, I’m either daydreaming about the next big idea or just winging life with a grin.
𝕀 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℙ𝕠𝕨𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕒𝕟 𝕀𝕄ℙ𝔸ℂ𝕋
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Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
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Heartfelt and relatable
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Original narrative & well developed characters
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Comments (17)
Distilled truths in a concentration so seamless... Komal you've got the touch here! Powerful writing!
Reminds me of "there are people who come into our life for a reason, a season, or forever." I love how you made your message from a conversation. Well done!
“You start thinking you're worth as long as you hurt for other people. Not the way you are when you're not needed by anyone.” This is so true, my friend. In truth, like Caitlin says, we've probably been both...and we learn the hard way to always try to be the one who's needed. Very thought provoking!
Is that your knee in the photo? Hmm that person. I think I might've been both. The person who bailed and the person who was bailed on. How much better would the world be if we learnt to carry each others burden... With the person I am now. I know I would stay for the other part of it. Claire is saying some pretty deep stuff. Especially the last words she uttered. That last line stung. 'A grief too near words, to be put into words.' I also love how you mentioned that something tender bloomed. At least now they have each other. Outstanding work Komal. ♥️🤗
This is so raw and real. I feel like so many people operate like this and it’s easy to feel discouraged, or like no one cares about you but rather about how you can make them feel, or even just about the silence you provide to hear their own words bounce back at them.
This is so beautiful and painful at the same time. The feeling that they’re describing is painfully relatable, and it’s that very feeling that they’re able to bond over, which is a little sad yet sweet at the same time. At least they have each other to turn to—for now. Well written.
Raw and Relatable, it captures that invisible ache of being “a place, not a person” with heartbreaking clarity.
This shared grief… wow. Yes. How real this all feels
This is beautifully written. I found it so relatable.
I love the formatting choices here. There's not a lot to work with for formatting on Vocal, and this was really creative for the options we have.
I would kind of like to see a collection of these stories- feels like a next generation soup for the soul
This story is the epitome of when you have two empaths who are friends. They experience the world differently. Two empaths who are close is like chicken soup for one another. Beautiful story! I love the characters - they’re both so sweet! 🥹
Some people have that one sided relationship with others for sure. Great fiction story.
The central idea of being someone whom others turn to only when they need something, and then perhaps they depart is universal and painful. You capture that asymmetry in relationships in a way many readers (all of us) will recognize, perhaps a little too well. The poem gives that tension form and weight.
"And in the still space between them, something tender bloomed— A shared comprehension." Being understood, not on the surface but deep into your soul is what creates love. Don't mind me over here, trying to mind my own business... but "Oliver quit being tongue tied… tell her that you love her!" Sorry 🤣😂
No one should feel like this. Yet people do. You expressed it so well. Well done
I appreciate the way you brought this feeling to life.