Alone by Ananya Nigam (13, India)

A single raindrop perched on the windowsill, solitary and serene. 

I was lonely for a long time before you joined me. I walked alone in the night, letting the stars lead my way, never believing that my solitary journey would ever come to an end.

The drop was pristine and pure. It was clear and transparent. It sat silently, glistening in the sunlight. The perfect picture of tranquil. 

You crept up on me quietly as if I wouldn’t notice, as if I would miss your skulking figure in the darkness of the night. You stayed in the shadows, letting them mask you and protect you. You watched me from afar as I continued on my endless journey. For so long you remained in the safety of the shadows, refusing to venture out and for so long I remained oblivious of your presence.

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A lake lay below the raindrop, its waters smooth and silky as satin. A gentle breeze blew causing soft ripples on the surface. 

And then you became reckless and careless in your skills. You let the moonlight reveal a hint of your smile. You let the wind carry the echo of your laugh. Your calculated movements became clumsy. I tried not to believe my suspicions. I tried to continue my travels. But the night was too dark.

The raindrop quivered slightly, it’s tiny body vibrating, as if in remembrance of these severe, frigid winter nights, where it had been frozen, unable to move. 

Then suddenly you emerged from that black void. Your movements were smooth and clear. You came next to me to join me on my journey as my ever-loyal companion. You brought your shadows with you; swirling out of your hands, legs and face in large wisps of smoke. You weaved the shadows into a blanket and shielded me. The blanket was warm and silky until I realized I could no longer see the stars. And so, I trusted you; you became my only guide.

The raindrop started to tremble and shake. It was all alone, alone on the windowsill. Where were all its friends and companions?

For some time, I was content with you leading me. I glided along the path with you as my only companion. I was no longer lonely, for I had you. But slowly and surely my blanket became heavier. The shadowy cloth started to trap me. It started to consume me. I was alone in the shadows. I longed for the starlight to guide me. I longed for you to help me. You watched me struggle with a slow smile on your face. You extracted all the little strength I had left and left me to drown in the merciless ocean. You stood there while the shadowy grip choked me, you let the hand around my neck tighten by the day.

The raindrop hung from a single delicate thread. Teetering on the edge of a precipice. Try not to move. Try not to speak. Try not to breathe. 

Seconds. Minutes. Hours. Days. Months. Years. Passed. I became the shadows and the shadows became me. I tried to cling on to the memory of the stars with all my strength. But their once so bright light was starting to fade. I didn’t have the strength to fight. All that was left was for me to succumb and let myself fall into the murky mist. I sunk. I dropped. I started to fade away

The shimmering string broke. The solitary raindrop fell. Faster and faster, as it approached the lake below. At last it was free to spread its wings and soar.

I felt the cracks spreading, invading me like a deadly virus. I felt my fragile body shattering. Shattering into a million tiny fragments, which were now being blown away by the wind. But I also felt a strange sense of peace. Peace being away from you. But what I didn’t know, what you would have never guessed is that I was not the only one under that blanket. There are others, some stuck in iron cages, some confined in thorny tendrils. You had deserted me, but I don’t need you.

The raindrop stops fighting and lets go. It takes the time to glance elsewhere. And all around it sees thousands of little raindrops falling. Thousands of ripples penetrating the water. Some fall fast, some fall slow, but suddenly, the little raindrop is not alone anymore. 

I am not alone anymore. 

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