at twelve pm, i ate, my tiredness was almost unbearable. every blurred movement, every word unheard, every slowly moving blink, i was just so tired. 'let me sleep' i begged, only to be greeted with a scold, i was tired of it. just tired.

then night fell, eight pm. i had not slept. i was still tired. i laid in bed, tired. sleep could not overcome me, but i was tired. i stared at the ceiling, eyes drooping and tired. 'let me sleep' i begged to someone not there. they didn't listen, i was so tired.

not until i saw the rays of sun, did my eyes flutter to sleep. it was restless, i felt it. and even then, my dream was tired. i didn't see the dream i hoped for. just like every night. i saw, instead, a single lonely alarm clock ringing ferociously. just like every night.

and the next day, i was tired

it took her a few seconds to come to terms that it was the last time she was going to see him do that. that it was the last time she was going to see him. they walked to the door together in silence, a thousand unspoken words hanging between them. 

she forced a brave smile as they reached the door. “goodbye,” she whispered. “i'll miss you.”

“me too.” and with that, he turned and walked out of her house for the last time.

she watched his retreating back turn and leave the hallway, and she closed the door gently, the tears she'd been desperately trying to hold back finally spilling. she leaned against the closed door, tasting the saltiness of her tears, the words she hadn't been able to tell him escaping her lips.

“i love you. don't leave.”