He has lived to see better nights. The sky tonight is dark, and the moon, is presumably hidden by the dark nimbus clouds. What is left visible through the dark veil is only a little bright shining star, glimmering out of the abyss of darkness in the sky. Someone once told him, that star is actually Venus. It is also called the Evening Star.
He knows her long enough that there is far more graver situation that needs his immediate attention than the stars. Rushing upon the stairs, he strived towards his destination as fast as his legs could carry him, almost taking 2, even 3 steps at the time.
“Sorry, I’m late…I brought you something spe-“
Whatever excuses he thought might be sufficient, there is no helping it. There she is, resting her arms onto the railing of the overhead bridge, overlooking the busy traffic in the double lane roads beneath. Somebody once said that you can read a lot from one’s body language. She looks like she could just crumble at any second.
What’s left in her that prevents a total collapse?
Walking up next to her, he folded his arm and lean onto the railing. The cold breeze brushes gently onto his face while he admires the long, red serpent-like creature that crawls and slithers slowly beneath him. Stretching his view as far as possible towards his left without turning his head, he sees two streams of tears flowing down her cheeks. As she remains still and oblivious to his arrival, he lets out a short sigh.
For the next minute, the only thing in motion is the red dragon below them.
“Why so quiet?”
“What’s wrong with silence? Silence, at times, could be a good comforter.”
“Well, some ladies would prefer a more ‘aggressive’ comforting than this!”
Upon finishing her sentence, she turns her head towards him, and looks intensely into his eyes. She smiles while awaiting for his reply.
Right then he feels that he would give up the whole world for another look of hers in like this. And he would not avert his eyes for anything that is less angelic than the sight that is currently beholding his eyes.
Sensing no reply, she turns 90 degrees towards him, with the left side of her body leaning on the railing. Her right hand, is placed behind her back, presumably holding onto the edge of her blouse, which is a little habit of hers.
“No wonder you’re still single to this day. When was it that you went out for a date?”
“I would like to believe that I’m still young, in my prime, and time is a precious luxury that I can still afford. You don’t get to be young forever.”
“Well, you’re NOT really young anymore…”
Replacing both her arms onto the railing again, she reverts back to the position he found her in earlier. Suddenly, she straightens up in a jerk, turns around and points towards him, face bewildered, trying to express some kind of epiphany that has just descent upon her.
“I know…you like GUYS!”
“Wha…”
All that follows after is her own ruckus laughing uncontrollably, with her right hand covering over her mouth. As if a disease spreading around, he follows suit and laughs as well.
“Ah…this is so funny!”
Upon saying this she rubs her eyes. He knows, there is still sorrow hidden behind that facade. Behind every brave face, there’s always this sad clown.
“I must say, thank you very much. You are a good man, a good friend.”
Deep down his heart rejoiced and mourned this pleasant yet devastating statement.
“For? I’m not going to buy you supper.”
“We might as well go get some. And yes, you ARE going to buy me supper!”
“I thought you are supposed to show me some gratitude?”
“Yes I am, that’s why I’m buying you alcohol while you buy me supper, deal?”
“If my memory serves me well, I bought you lunch in China Town two days ago.”
“Race you to the Gardens then. Loser pays for everything!”
Without waiting for his reply, she turns and runs down the stairs, leaving him alone behind, still leaning both arms on the railing.
He looks up to the starry sky, and realised that the full moon is now visible, no longer hidden by the dark clouds. But the Evening Star, Venus, is nowhere to be seen.
She would still need time, to mend the wounds and the pain. But she is strong. Strong enough to shine through those invisible barriers. With help of course, with sacrifice that Venus would gladly give up, for another sight, another view of the splendid, magnificent and beautiful full moon.
Could both the moon and the Evening Star co-exist in one beautiful night sky? Nobody knows. Only time would tell.