PLATFORM

“You’re quiet again.”

“I’m listening.”

“No, you’re waiting.”

“Waiting for what?”

“For me to finish so you can tell me why I’m wrong.”

“I don’t think you’re wrong.”

“You always say that right before you explain why I am.”

“That’s not fair.”

“But it’s accurate.”

“Why does it have to turn into this every time?”

“Because every time we talk about the future, you start talking like it’s a threat.”

“I’m not threatened by you.”

“Then why do you sound like you’re negotiating your escape?”

“You’re being dramatic.”

“You call it dramatic. I call it recognizing patterns .”

“I’m just saying we should slow down.”

“Slow down from what?”

“From deciding everything.”

“I didn’t say everything. I said anything.”

“You’re doing that thing again.”

“What thing?”

“Cornering me.”

“By asking if you see me in your life?”

“By asking me to define something I’m still feeling.”

“We’ve been feeling for a year now.”

“Time doesn’t turn feelings into contracts.”

“No, but it should turn uncertainty into honesty.”

“I am being honest.”

“Then say it.”

“Say what?”

“Say you don’t know if you want this.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You didn’t have to.”

“You’re putting words in my mouth.”

“I’m translating, Edwin.”

“You’re accusing.”

“I’m asking you to stand still long enough for me to see where you’re facing.”

“Why does it have to be a direction?”

“Because I can’t keep walking in circles with someone who won’t tell me where they’re going.”

“I never promised you a map.”

“But You promised me presence.”

“And I’m here.”

“You’re here until the conversation gets real.”

“This is real.”

“No. This is you avoiding dressed up as caution.”

“That’s unfair.”

“So is asking me to love you quietly so it doesn’t scare you.”

“I never asked you to be smaller.”

“You asked me to stop asking questions.”

“Goodness ,Because every question feels like a test.”

“I’m not testing you.”

“That’s what it feels like.”

“Then tell me what you’re afraid of failing.”

“I don’t want to fail you.”

“You already are.”

“By asking for more time?”

“By never using it.”

“Wow.” You don’t get to grade me.”

“I do get to decide if I’m wasting my time.”

“So that’s what this is?”

“What else would you call loving someone who won’t meet you where you are?”

“I don’t know. Pressure.”

“Try cowardice.”

“That’s harsh.”

“So is being loved halfway.”

“I care about you.”

“Care isn’t direction.”

“ And Love isn’t a deadline.”

“Neither is clarity.”

“Why can’t we just enjoy what we have right now ?”

“Because what we have disappears every time I ask where it’s going.”

“You make it sound like I’m doing this on purpose.”

“Intent doesn’t erase impact.”

“So what do you want from me?”

“I want The truth.”

“I already told you.”

“No. You told me what you can’t say.”

“I don’t know if I can be what you need.”

“Then say that.”

“I just did.”

“And now I get to decide what I do with it.”

“So what? this is it?”

“This is the moment everything we avoid finally catches up to us .”

“I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“I know. That doesn’t make it hurt less.”

“I wish things were simpler.”

“They are.”

“They don’t feel simple.”

“Because you’re trying to keep the comfort without the commitment.”

“That’s not fair.”

“ But It’s honest.”

“I need time.”

“And I need truth.”

“I gave you mine.”

“Then I’ll give you mine too.”

“Which is?”

“I can’t keep loving someone who freezes when I say ‘future.’”

“I never meant to freeze.”

“But you do”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know.”

“Why are you always so sure?”

“About what?”

“About when something’s over.”

“I’m not sure. I’m just tired of pretending it’s not happening.”

“It’s not happening. You’re deciding it is.”

“I’m responding to what’s in front of me.”

“You’re reacting.”

“I’m adapting.”

“You’re giving up.”

“I’m letting go.”

“Those aren’t the same thing?”

“They do feel the same when you’re the one being left.”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“Then stop standing still.”

“You talk like movement fixes everything.”

“No. I talk like stagnation rots things quietly.”

“I didn’t know you felt like this.”

“That’s the problem.”

“You could’ve said something sooner.”

“I’ve been saying it.”

“You’ve been implying.”

“I’ve been asking.”

“You’ve been pushing.”

“I’ve been hoping you’d meet me halfway.”

“I didn’t know halfway had a deadline.”

“It didn’t. It had a limit.”

“And you just reached it?”

“I passed it a while ago.”

“Then why are we still here?”

“Because I kept believing you’d turn around.”

“And now?”

“Now I see you won’t.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then tell me where you’re going.”

“I don’t know.”

“There it is.”

“Why does that sentence scare you so much?”

“Because it keeps me suspended.”

“I never asked you to wait.”

“You asked me to stay.”

“Those aren’t the same.”

“They feel the same when time keeps passing.”

“You’re acting like I don’t care.”

“I’m acting like care without direction still costs me.”

“I didn’t mean to cost you anything.”

“But you did.”

“So what happens now?”

“We stop pretending this is enough.”

“You’re so calm about this.”

“I’m exhausted.”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“You don’t want to choose me either .”

“That’s not fair.”

“Yet It’s consistent.”

“I’m choosing what I can handle.”

“And I’m choosing what I won’t.”

“You’re making it sound final.”

“Because it is for me.”

“Which way are you going?”

“Uptown.”

“I thought you hated that line.”

“I hate staying any longer.”

“That sounds practiced.”

“It’s just… true.”

“You always sound calm when you’re leaving.”

“I don’t know how else to do it.”

“You could try not sounding relieved.”

“I’m not relieved.”

“Then why do you look lighter?”

“Because I stopped needing you to answer.”

“It didn’t stop. You just walk away from it.”

“No. I stopped asking.”

“But You’re still here.”

“ And staying is costing me more than leaving.”

“Look I already answered you.”

“You told me you didn’t know.”

“That was the answer.”

“No… That was the exit.”

“The train’s coming.”

“Yeah.”

“This is me.”

“I know.”

“Take care of yourself.”

“I always do.”

“That was part of the problem.”

“...Goodbye Edwin.”

“Goodbye.