In the Shadows.

He lived in the shadows because he was afraid of the light. In his cave, he had all the treasures that could save his village. Yet, the thought of being seen by the villagers traumatised him. The thought of being seen by the villagers haunted him. His village was desperate for his help. Yet he stayed in the shadows.

He first came to the cave 10 years ago. At the time, he was full of light and was not afraid to let it shine. He did not mind to share his treasures with his family and friends. The more he shared his treasure, the more popular he became. And so, the more he made friends. As time went on, he realised that not everyone in his life actually cared. The more people he befriended, the more he got lonely.

One day he was walking with one of his friends. They were discussing the events of the day. His friend went on describing the event that shook him. He described the emotions he felt when the event unfolded. He thought he could contribute to the conversation. After all, after an hour of listening to his friend he was tired. He thought that his friend would lend him his ear as well and listen to his side of the story. This did not happen. His friend heard his story but only the parts that mattered to him. At that moment, he realised that all his life he was talking to people, and with them. All along, he thought that by giving people his full ear, they would give theirs too.

The loneliness slowly crept into his heart until it settled. He slowly started to realise that people do not care about your emotions. What they care about is how their emotions are felt in relation to you. He thought of his mother who discredited his relationship with his high school sweetheart. He was in love and would blindly risk his life to be with his lover. Because he would arrive late at night, his mother would tell him to stop seeing the girl. As a mother, she knew what was best for him. What was best was for her. The safety of controlling her son’s movements. She didn’t realise that her actions were pushing his son deeper into loneliness.

He could not stand the sadness anymore and decided to escape. He left everything behind and went to the hills. He knew his mother would cry over his departure. He knew his friends would worry about him. But he was searching for freedom. He was searching for the opportunity to find himself and fill the loneliness that crept in his heart.

The first time he ran away he stopped halfway. The pain was too much to bear. He broke down and tears formed a puddle under his feet. He felt weak and decided to go back home. The moment he walked in the door, his mother leapt for joy. She ran towards him and gave him the biggest hug he has ever received. He felt warm and loved. Moments later though, his mother went to explain how running away doesn’t solve problems. She continued to mention the headache and heartache that his running away had caused. Once again, it was not about him. It was about the emotions felt that was linked to him. He regretted coming back home.

And so, the next morning he decided to leave and never come back. It has been a decade since he ran away. The village now needs his treasures. He can hear the villagers crying and suffocating under the choke of their own ignorance. His treasures could emancipate them. But his loneliness too strong. His loneliness his true companion that never forsakes him. His loneliness keeps him comfortable in the shadows.