I write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.

  Pitch-black, street lights on, vision compromised, A little late than she expected to return, Just out with some friends for some fun, Heartbeat was racing with every turn, Looking behind constantly to give her mind some clarity, “No one is there, it’s all in my head.”, she told herself on every step. With every stride, she hurried, Not that far from home, she could tell. Made another turn and looked behind, Saw someone and she lost her mind, “Is he following me?”, she asked herself, Not a single optimistic thought came, She made another turn and still, he was right behind, Thought she would be tomorrow’s headline.   “Should I scream? Should I shout?”, “Or should I keep walking out and about?”. She didn’t turn back the rest of the way, Kept reciting Dua’s that all she can say,   Finally, she reached her home and then looked back, No one was there, oh she was glad, She questioned herself, “Was there someone or was it a delusion?”, ...

That morning he woke up with the biggest smile, No, it wasn’t the day where he would’ve to walk down the aisle. Mom came knocking with breakfast at his door, Dad had choices for suits, not one, not two, but four. “My son, the valedictorian”, she said, loud and proud, The tears in her eyes were of happiness, no doubt. “We need to leave at 10, which suit do you want to wear?” “Oh stop you, first eat the breakfast, my dear!” “Why can’t I do both?”, he said in his soft modulated voice, Mom began to feed him as dad helped him browse through his choice. As he chewed through his breakfast, he had decided how he’d dress. But his outfit wasn’t his biggest stress, His speech was the thing he was pondering about, His parents assured him that his speech was flawless throughout. “My boy it’s 10.”, Dad cried, “You might miss your speech darling.”, Mom jokingly lied, He hurriedly came down, He looked like he was the most dashing man in town. Oh, what a beautiful...