Late at night, when the world sleeps, all artists grapple with the weight of 3 AM thoughts. Am I right or am I right? 😉
In this story titled “3 AM Thoughts”, I try untangling a memory that used to trigger me. I do that by having a late-night conversation with my heart and mind. In doing so, I happen to untangle a tiny part of the web of human experience.
Thanks to the gentle strokes of harshness and heartfelt introspection, my soul went through the twists and turns of self-discovery, uncovering truths hidden in the depths of the subconscious.
Quick Question
Ever had a moment where you juggled with your 3 AM thoughts and the answer just clicked inside you? I’d love to invest time in your experience, and maybe, just maybe, we can wrap it in a compelling story that brings comfort to those who read it. How very lovely would it be to save someone from having a sleepless night! Because sleepless nights hurt. So much. So much.
If you’ve ever tossed and turned, battling against the silence of the night, I genuinely wish you never NEVER face that struggle again. And if life has been kind enough to have spared you of the restless ordeal, may your nights be be eternally cradled in the soft embrace of uninterrupted sleep. 🙂 Amen.
Quick Insight
Why I ask you to share is because I envision a world where each thoughtful story is a matchstick; and tears being the kerosene they are, I envision burning down the world’s sadness by striking that matchstick. I just don’t have enough matchsticks at the moment. But soon. 🙂 Anyhow, here’s the story…
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3 AM Thoughts
“Why do you always stop at this picture? It isn’t that great, you know. You have better pictures.”
“I know.”
“You also don’t have a thing for cats. Or dogs for that matter.”
“I know.”
“Yet you keep staring at it as if the cat would pounce from within the phone only to land in your lap!”
“I know.”
“Hello? Stop repeating the same thing. Move to the next picture.”
“I can’t. This picture makes me sad.”
“All the more reason to move to the next picture, babe!”
“Shhh.”
“Every TIME you ask your brain to shush, your heart takes charge, and things get worse. Move to the next picture before you need tissues.”
“Okay, but first tell me who gives a memory the right to be both magical and miserable at the same time!”
“Um, I… I don’t know. Why?”
“Because this picture does that to me and I don’t know whom to blame.”
The Onset Of 3 AM Thoughts
“Aww! But, as far as I remember, this cat looked frightfully low-spirited and all it took was a loving glance from your end for it to jump into your lap. You comforted a creature who needed love. All happy vibes! Why do you feel bad about it?”
“Think. Think about how vulnerable it would be. Only an extraordinarily sad soul can build a home in a stranger and sleep like a log. It built a home IN ME!”
“Well, isn’t that supposed to be a happy thought?”
“No, no, no! You don’t understand. Of course, it makes me feel relieved that I could offer comfort to someone who needed it, but IT BUILT A HOME IN ME. It felt safe with me. And what did I do? I abandoned it. Damn!”
“What else could you have done? You were on a trip. You couldn’t have carried it all the way to your home.”
“Why not?”
“Because you‘ve never been too crazy about pets. It doesn’t make sense.”
“But to me, every betrayal, every piece of broken trust, and every desertion makes sense, now more than ever. I broke someone’s trust. What if I was the last string it was hanging on and I cut it off? What if it could never trust anyone ever again because of me? You see? What if it grew sadder and sadder and…um, you know? Oh, I feel terrible!”
“Shush. Shush. Listen. I agree it made a home in you but imagine if it continued, it would’ve built a mansion in you. And you might not have liked it. The floors covered in laughs would perhaps then be covered in tear-stains. The broken window that let in new dreams would perhaps then be fixed. You can’t let any random creature enter unless you are totally convinced, right? You just can’t.”
“So abandoning them is right?”
“May…be.”
“Maybe?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, what if I build a home in someone and I’m abandoned?”
“Um… Allow me a minute, please.”
“Take two.”
…
….
“Um, I think you’ll both have your share of pain. You – for being abandoned. The other person – for abandoning you. Just like you are feeling filthy for not being there for the cat and the cat for having been sort-of deceived… But I think what’s important for souls at both ends is to understand that they weren’t meant to be. Just weren’t. Um, not sure if it makes sense, but…”
“Oh, yes. YES. It does. It does.”
**smiles**
“Do you think the cat would have understood?”
“We all do, darling. It takes some time, but we all end up understanding the essence of it.”
“I’m glad. Thank you, Brain.”
“No problem. Always at your service. Just don’t spend more time with Heart, you know. I am having the busiest weekend. I deserve some rest too.”
“Hahaha! You wish.”
~Fin~
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And trust me, we all understand with time. We all do. 🙂
If you are interested in exploring more stories, I have one short story about life that will lift your spirits instantly. Like real quick.
Another is one of the witch stories for kids which is about making choices with a tad bit of guidance.
Also, I really hope that you enjoyed the 3 AM Thoughts. If you did, it would mean the world to me if you could spread the word about HeenaInTheWonderland or return for more such pieces. 🙂 Thank you so much.
