How Snow Falls

Welcome! 

This is the essay from the last paper I wrote in Grade 12. The prompt had been: In the rear-view mirror. I really loved writing this, so much so that I rewrote it on my exam paper and took it home so that I could type it out. I think I was feeling forlorn while I wrote it, and in the original, I used my name which was a tiny rebellion against the rule of our name not being allowed in the exam paper. But technically, she is just a character! >:)

Enjoy!

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How Snow Falls

The dust scattered about, falling slowly onto the bonnet of the car. The brown and grey clouds of dust did well to shield my eyes from her, from Azureal. My panting and ragged breath filled the silence around me as I struggled to recover from my sprint to the car.

We had agreed to have one last civil conversation over dinner, before parting ways. But circumstances brought that to an abrupt end, Azureal had been the first to unsheathe her weapon—a long sword. It was her gumption and sheer confidence which had first attracted me to her, her willingness to kill and die for her cause. But now that gumption was aimed at me, and I had become her prey—an opposer to the movement, an enemy.

“My love for you has not dwindled.” Her voice calls out, lathering my heart in sickly warm honey.

I do not believe her, yet my soul aches for her and my heart trembles in anticipation of her touch, wanting nothing but for us to return to our zealous time. My mind returns to our current state which so differs from back then. My eyes flicker up from the steering wheel to the rear-view mirror, and there she stands—bright violet eyes and hair as white as snow. My heart skips a beat as I notice the long sword in her hand.

Her intent to kill was clear and my death was impending, ‘was this how Desdemona felt?’ I thought to myself. I do not want to die but a part of me wishes that if I were to die tonight, it would be best to die at the hands of my lover. My hands grip the steering wheel, the squeak of the leather and whitening of my knuckles give me hope. Azureal strides towards the car as I turn the key in the ignition. The engine rumbles to life and I slam my foot on the pedal.

The car jerks forward but does not go far before sputtering to a stop. My heartbeat becomes deafening, her footsteps match the sporadic beat of my heart. In an attempt to revive the sullen motor, I stomp on the pedals and twist the key frantically.

I look up again, this time the rear-view mirror offers only an empty street. Like a leaf in the wind, my door blows open, I snap my head towards it but am met with silence. I turn again, this time towards the passenger door.

My face is centimetres away from hers.

Her scent of jasmine and violets invades my senses, and she leans in further—closing what small distance lay between us. Her kiss erupts fireworks in my stomach, along with a sting followed by liquid warmth. The heat spreads all over my abdomen and I break away from the kiss to inspect the damage.

I open my eyes and catch a glimpse of her tear-stained face, the violet eyes now sparkle with a sombre feeling and seem to look darker than I remember. My vision turned hazy and I smiled, the heat seemed to be the only thing I could feel. My heart begins to slow as I hold her hand.

“I love you.” My breath is a whisper, one I can hardly hear myself.

“I love you, Bea.” Her tears fall harder.

… 

By Taaraa Lakay

(Reminder not to steal others' work! And if you would like to use it (in any form) please do credit me, hope you have a great day honey!)