5 Years

By Bhaavi Trivedy

It was a cold night

No clouds, I could see the stars!

I wasn’t dressed for the occasion.

I looked super cute in my summer PJs,

So cold, it was so cold.

Shorts and a tank top!

I waited for an hour,

I felt like a super spy,

Just for the promise of warmth.

building resistance to the freezing cold

You called me when you arrived.

You called me to tell me you got here, how sweet!

The nearly empty lot was illuminated by lamplight.

You made me walk to you, car lights off.

You didn’t come to me, yet you said all of this was for me,

At least I got my steps in!

You said you rushed all the way because you didn’t want me to

Freeze to death.

To get kidnapped.

You really cared about me,

Convincing yourself you were the hero.

“I’m the best person to try things with”

“I’m not like those other guys”

“I’m good for you”

how thoughtful you were!

You’d think living on this planet 5 years longer would teach you something.

You seemed so mature!

You asked if I was okay

You did the bare minimum.

He cared enough to ask how I felt

I texted you about how it made me feel bad

But I asked for it and initiated it, so that’s on me.

And all you said was “Sorry”

“Sorry, I felt bad leaving you by yourself like that”

He said sorry, wow he’s so nice

But not for saying yes?

5 years, you’d think you’d be able to say no to a kid.

For a situation like this, it could be worse right?

Honestly…

The best thing you did for me was leave.

You’re no hero.

I wish he’d come back.