Beneath The Surface

The Beginning Of A Poem

“When did the doctor say I’ll be discharged” Iris asked. We both had finished eating since I also didn’t have breakfast in the morning.

I stopped reading and looked in her direction.

“You still have one more drip to go. So…how about you finish with that” I said, smiling and she nodded. I went back to reading. A few minutes of silence passed and I heard her speak again. “Do I look scary”

“Huh?” I asked surprised by the question.

“Do I scare you?” She asked again.

“What kind of question is that? Noo! What” I answered surprised.

“I may be naive but I pay attention. And I notice the way you look at me as if you’re scared of something” she said and I didn’t miss the tinge of sadness in her voice.

I couldn’t answer. I don’t know why but nothing came out. I wanted to say something. To defend that assumption but my words chose that moment to betray me.

“So I am right” she said. “Why?” She added.

I tried. I kept on trying to find the words but still nothing came. I just kept staring. Like a guilty person.

The moment I found my words, only four came out. “It is a long story” I said. Perhaps something in me thought this was an opportunity to let go of the pain and torture. “I love long stories” she said.

“How about another time” I suggested.

“I don’t believe there will be a more perfect time than this” she insisted.

I breathed in deeply before putting the book down. “Okay”.