The Dark Side of Love by Fathima Shafrina Sirajudeen (21, Sri Lanka)

“My mother doesn’t want me to marry you. 
I’m sorry; I don’t think we can hold it anymore."

As his words shot her at the heart, 
The blood drained from her face 
and her thoughts collapsed in her mind.
He showed resistance through ignorance
Her dawning eyes pleaded,
Engulfing a river of tears 
And the rest being bouldered by
The back of her hand.

---

She mumbled her screams and
Gulped them down her windpipes.
It wasn’t her moment to break down
Like the ripples on an unwavering lake
She soothed her self to fine. 

Things weren’t as it had seemed within her. 
She was shattered beyond rewind
Or too late to be put to place. 
She was a corpse that lingered. 
At that very moment, she only hoped 
That she’d be wiped off of existence. 

Although it was as clear as crystal,
She refused to accept the truth.
Her lips quivered and her fist trembled,
For a bit of reassurance
With the warmth of his touch. 

For him, there was no turning back.
His eyes were firm as steady as his stand. 
But there was still hope in hers
Shifting along with his nods. 

She yearned to go back to her happy place,
To a time where there was only laughter
And happiness persisted in her life. 
It will all be alright soon, she thought. 
This pain shall too pass. 

Holding on to her heavy heart,
She waddled towards east. 
Completely drenched in her agony,
Dusk is almost near. 

“The worst of all pain is when you have to console you, with your own words."