It was a delightful evening in October. The gentle wind and the slightly chilly air made it the perfect weather. She ascended the final staircase to reach her favorite spot. Stepping out of the corridor and out of the glass door, she was welcomed by her city's vast skyline against the evening sky's backdrop. Tall buildings and towers of different silhouettes, illuminated with thousands of lights, told silent stories of the lives within. A beautiful symphony of tall structures and urban bliss. This terrace was her escape. Escape from noise, people, and her thoughts.
Through this terrace, she could see a different perspective of her city, with a different light away from the world and its judgment. From the top of the building, she could see the entire skyline. Every day, a different picture is painted in various sky colors. Standing at the edge of the terrace, she stare at the city canvas. It is the most breathtaking sight to hold.
A smile spread across her face as she gazed at the skyline. Of course, she knew every detail and every light of that skyline as if it were the back of her hand. How could she not? It was her ritual; she would come here every night to admire this view. She relished looking at the city's life-size canvas, painted with tiny lights that shone the brightest. Each one is a reminder of the countless stories and dreams intertwined in this metropolis. These vast skylines always reminded her of how insignificant we human beings are.
She is not an outgoing person. She preferred the cozy sanctuary she had created for herself, but this was something she loved. She could trade off anything to keep looking at this picture-perfect view. This gave peace to her chaotic mind. Her jams include these velvety darknesses and the soft shimmer of lights, along with quieter nights. However, today, it is different from other nights. Today, she has every reason to be here. It carried the weight of a memory that stretched back a decade —a night when he knelt beneath the starlit sky, proposing in front of that skyline.
It was an unforgettable night for her. Her mind denied it, but her heart brought her here like a leaf caught in a gentle breeze. She was bound by memories of their beautiful stories. Yes, I said stories, stories about her past. This night reminded her of an irreplaceable part of her life, with whom she talked about eternity. He was her person. He was her everything; at least, she thought that then. For him as well, she was his universe.
They met during their first year in college. She was bold, beautiful, strong-willed, and chaotic like a vibrant scarlet lipstick. He was like a crisp white shirt, gentle, quiet, ideal, and composed. She was a student representative, and he was the president of the student union. Polar opposite personalities clashed in a political battle, and attraction was sparked. Two different ways of thinking, but one thought. They were like the missing parts of the puzzle. Their attraction and chemistry were undeniable. They made the perfect couple. Their story began with college elections. Love bloomed during their second year of college, and they became inseparable. Young love blossomed, felt like a spring, breezy and airy, like a delicate flower. They were deeply in love. Bliss is the only word that can describe that feeling.
Their love flourished; until one day, when everything collapsed, like a house of cards. Dreams clashed and washed everything from shore. She wanted to pursue higher education abroad, but he wanted to be there for his family. As the eldest son, he wanted to be there for them and build with them. She had a big dream and wanted to challenge herself with independence. Being responsible grown-ups, they decided to part ways. She came to the US, pursued her master's degree, graduated with flying colors, and landed a great job in the top five institutions. Being a bright student, she quickly climbed the corporate ladder.
Today, she is at the top of her career; the view from here is spectacular but lonely up there. Away from people, she and her chaotic mind. Although she is completely healed and accepts that he has gone, her mind tricks her. Some days, she is delicate and confident in her decision; other days, she is all into pieces, completely shattered. Perhaps it's because she hasn't found her person, while he has his own family, a beautiful wife, and a cute little girl. She truly wishes for his happiness, but her mind can't help but compare her life to his.
This was partly because she had not yet found a man who loved her for who she was, someone who recognized her spark, valued her ambition, and supported her in her career endeavors. Unfortunately, she has not met anyone who meets her standards and is willing to accept her ambitious career path, making it difficult to let anyone into her life.
These circumstances pushed her to think that her life choices led her astray. Being a successful career woman is a curse, leaving her alone at the top. She is sad because she wants to celebrate her success with her loved ones. In a world where independence is both a badge of honor and a grim reminder of her solitude, she feels the weight of her choices heavily.
Her social media glowed with images of glamorous travels, fancy dinners and celebrations; beneath the surface lay a yearning heart for authentic companionship. She had traded pieces of her heart for moments of success, and as delighted as she is with all she has accomplished, a quiet sadness lingeres. The city lights twinkled with the whispers of what could have been—a dream she once held close, is now a distant flicker.
She loves this place because her problems appear tiny in the face of the vast skyline. These skylines remind her of how far she has come and what she has achieved alone. These humongous skylines give her hope and motivation. Each day reminds her of infinite possibilities and to strive for heights. It is the beacon of her courage and bold choices; each tower is a testament to her ambition's surge. Every day, she comes here to remind herself that she is worth all the struggle, a canvas of resilience, and every window is a glimpse of an unseen bright future and possibilities.
That's a really beautifully penned piece ❤️