night flower

It's called a night flower because it only blooms under the cover of darkness, even though the photograph was captured in the early morning. This exquisite bloom opens its petals for just a single day before it drops away. Such a short-lived beauty, yet it remains captivating to the eyes of a gardener.

In my younger days, filled with a sense of adventure, I shared some remarkable moments with a friend I considered one of my best. He was charming and caring, always ready to entertain with spicy stories from his escapades. His love for movies meant I was frequently invited out on weekends, especially Saturday nights.

We would catch a film, enjoy dinner, and then find a quiet spot—be it along the street or on some rails—to spend hours recounting his experiences as a breadwinner, the challenges of living without his father, and his mother working abroad.These weekly chats became a staple of our lives for nearly two years. 

However, one day, without warning, he vanished. The calls stopped, the invitations ceased, and even emails went unanswered. He lived without a social media presence, becoming an unwanted ghost in my life.

One day, while walking through a mall, I unexpectedly crossed paths with him. We locked eyes, and in that moment, embraced tightly, both of us perhaps sensing the weight of unspoken words. Afterward, we shared an early dinner, during which he revealed that his absence was due to feeling like he no longer gained anything from our friendship. This revelation shocked me, and we parted ways, burdened with sadness and anger.

Though that ending was bitter, it provided a necessary closure. Just like the night flower, our friendship, too, was meant to be fleeting. It served its purpose, leaving behind cherished memories, even if it didn’t last.