ORIGINS: What’s the point of parallel worlds? Unless birds swim and fish fly, it’s not worth the hassle. At least mirrors keep things interesting. They give some bite. Just ask the sixth character in the original series.
Haven’t you ever heard that rain is life? Wait just a moment, I am almost done. It’s not silver but, sometimes, in the right light, raindrops can do the trick. Here you have it. Your glistening bridge. Goodbye. Godspeed. But there’s no hurry, you can take your time getting out of my life. I intend to leave that old bridge behind, as far away from my new life as I can, anyway.
A knight in shining armor and Lady Death met in the middle of a bridge. They exchanged polite greetings, without making eye contact, and were about to go their separate ways, but the Lady’s scythe couldn’t let go of the grudges it held. Covered in his steed’s blood, the knight hurriedly apologized, even though he didn’t know what offence he had committed. And Lady Death graciously accepted his apology, even though she also couldn’t ascertain her scythe’s motive. Only the steed knew that the scythe had seen a resemblance, and it had struck before the steed could. Apparently, it wasn’t fair. The bloodstained scythe believed that it did all the work, while the horse just looked pretty, like its Lady Death. And the horse, that was tired of carrying its knight around, couldn’t stand the sight of that scythe lazily resting on the Lady’s shoulder.
Sure, why not, let’s build bridges. Here’s hoping happiness waxes and sadness wanes. What? That’s not the metaphor you were going for? Sorry, I must have misheard. I thought you were asking for the moon.
All bridges are meant to be burned. I learned to dream from the stars. It’s called devotion, and going back isn’t an option. I vowed to follow them to the bitter end, and if I went back on my word, I would have a life, sure, but I would no longer like myself.
On rainy days, I used to daydream about sharing my umbrella with someone else. Rain is a thief, it steals warmth, and I liked the idea of loving someone else and refusing to let go, no matter what life threw at us. But it wasn’t meant to be. Not on this bridge. I had almost made my peace with walking alone under the rain and letting go. Isn’t that what parallel worlds are for? I was about to entrust my dream to you. But you reached for me. You told me that we would share the same fate. And I guess you couldn’t tell apart the tears streaming down my face from the rain. I never asked for anyone’s pity, much less yours. I can love myself. All I needed was for you to fulfill my dream.
How many times do I have to explain this to you? I am only interested in reading books. Someone else’s words. And you don’t count as someone else. You may live in a parallel world, but you still wear the same face and the same name as me. So, get your head out of the clouds and stop trying to reach me. Shouting didn’t work, and neither will writing down your dreams. I have no trouble recognizing my own handwriting, and I need lies I can believe. How am I supposed to find happiness if I know what inspired me to dream? I don’t have to read your words to know what’s at their root. Paper only works its magic on the words of strangers. So, either live your life or find someone else to lie to.
It doesn’t matter how many parallel worlds are out there. Happiness doesn’t last. I am not sure if it even exists. Most people don’t recognize opportunities until they have turned into regrets. And I have no intention of becoming a crestfallen bird, weighed down by everything my namesakes have missed. If I never fly a day in my life, so be it. I will take those regrets to my grave. But I have no intention of taking anyone else’s. You can keep your what-ifs.
Has someone ever wished you all the best? Have you ever made a wish upon a star? They may say that they have your best interests at heart, but how can that be, when all they will ever know for certain is your name? I know your heart, because it beats inside my chest. And I will light the stars on this side for you. I will let you learn from my mistakes. I won’t show you the way, just the dead ends. And I can only hope that you will do the same for me.
Left Twin: How disheartening. It’s raining on your side too.
Right Twin: I don’t know what I expected. You were always one to let your surroundings overwhelm you. What breaks my heart is that you are sad too.
Left Twin: It’s such a pity. Parallel worlds are wasted on us.
Left Twin: I had faith. I thought that it would be like sending a message in a bottle. There was bound to be a shore somewhere. And I had faith that you would be there.
Right Twin: I am here.
Left Twin: No, you are not. You are reading a book. You aren’t willing, you aren’t waiting to hear me out and help me put an end to this loneliness that’s about to drown my heart. You have thrown yourself into someone else’s world. You have chosen someone else’s words to keep you afloat. And all I feel is the sea level rising on my side.
Left Twin: Hold out hope, my other self. Don’t look so crestfallen. There are bound to still be birds out there that haven’t forgotten how to fly.
Right Twin: How can I hold out hope when all I see are penguins around me? People who have given up the sky to drown their sorrows in the sea. Some choices are irreversible. It wasn’t mine, but I have to live with it. And I don’t have the strength to be a wave. To rise, only to break, time after time.
Left Twin: Here?
Right Twin: A little bit higher.
Left Twin: Here?
Right Twin: Just three inches closer to your heart.
Right Twin: Perfect! Now my dreams won’t outshine my life. Thank you.
Left Twin: …
Left Twin: You are welcome.