The Last Waltz

Words by: Jai, 12

I looked deep into his glittering brown eyes, searching for something deeper. I could not believe the words he had just spoken, could not believe the sinking feeling in my chest. When his eyes did not give me an answer, I turned away, his polished shoes catching my attention. And that’s how we remained for the rest of the dance, my eyes pinned to the floor and his hands set on my waist. To an outsider, we must have looked like a modest couple, waltzing under the pink moon. But we both knew the truth, we both knew the paths we were destined for.
Maybe he was right. Maybe I was being selfish. But we both knew this was going to happen eventually. There was no use clinging onto the past.

I turned back to his eyes, desperate for something more. He hadn’t stopped staring at me, but the once stony face was now flooded with emotions. I held on to every detail, from the tiny freckles that adorned his cheeks, to the star-shaped scar on his chin. And those hard brown eyes, that would only soften in my presence.

As he spun me around on the gold and marble floor, there was only one thought in my mind.

So this is how it ends.

The music slowed to a stop, and he bowed deeply. I stood frozen in shock as I watched him disappear, taking hundreds of unfulfilled promises with him. I would never forget his touches, on my waist, on my shoulder, on my heart, a burning reminder of the ambitions that tore us apart. If anyone asked us when our story had ended, I knew the truthful response was that it had never begun.

“Dancing In Dreams” by Neha Nair, 10