Shared Sky

It was quite early in the morning, the air was permeated with light moisture making it a bit cold but not the chilly kind. When the wind blew, it made people feel a slightly cool sensation. They breathed in the crisp air deeply and felt rejuvenated. The sun was not up yet but the ever-changing hue of the sky made it pretty clear that it will come out soon.

The dark colors that lingered near the horizon started to gradually turn brighter. Not many people were around to see nature changing its clothes.

But the same could not be said about two people.

One was wearing black color pants, sneakers, and a matching black hoodie that blocked most of his face from prying eyes. He had just finished his morning run and reached his spot. It was a trail that broke off from the main road, curving slightly inwards then going downwards. Most of the people will not be able to spot it as the path was hidden by the bushes.

The trail was a bit uneven and if one was not careful enough he can easily slip and get hurt. The path was narrow and dangerous but the result was definitely worth the trouble as it eventually leads to a much-secluded part of the beach.

The figure sat down putting his hands on the sand and then tilting his body a bit backward. His legs were aching because of the run and his knuckles hurt from yesterday's fight. But he had no intention of acknowledging the pain.

He was numb to it.

He closed his eyes and let the silence envelop him. All the thoughts left his mind and he sat there basking in the glory of nature. Eventually, he could hear the waves crashing at the shore, the sound of seagulls. The familiar brine and musky scent hit his nose. The breeze that was blowing gently cooled down his heated body.

He came here for the silence, to have a little piece of tranquility so that he could tide over the day. Recently, everything was getting to him and he was feeling that things were getting out of his hand, spiraling out of his control. He had come here for a moment of peace. Even though it will be for a while, he could at least breathe a little easier.

He opened his eyes and looked at the rising sun. His black orbs reflected the sunrise but his gaze held no emotion. They seemed like an endless pit where the sun rays can never reach. The light was in front of him but on the other side, the place that could be seen through them, that place where people claim their soul resides, that place was shrouded in darkness.

He believed that no amount of light could ever penetrate that place. It will always be in eternal darkness. It was a barren place, where no flower could ever bloom, a place where no happiness could ever be. His back view gave a lonely vibe as if he had no one left in this world whom he can call his own. He was like that lost child who had only wanted to let go for a moment to have that candy but when he tried to reach for the hand that he was holding earlier, he realized that it was no longer there.

And now that child will never be able to go home, as the hand has become invisible and he has lost that person who was holding him, guiding him and protecting him. Now he no longer will have that warmth that tucked him to sleep and kissed his forehead before wishing him good night.

He will be cold and alone.

The warmth of the rising sun fell on his body but it was not enough to chase the bitter cold away from his heart. It has been so long since his heart has felt anything. All he could remember was an ever-lasting frost that has his heart frozen.

He felt that his heart was in a perpetual winter season.

Can there come a time when spring arrives and thaw the ice?

In a different place, on the rooftop, a person was down on her knees, hands resting on them, head downwards, she was breathing heavily. Her whole body was covered in a fine layer of perspiration. Her heart was pounding as if she has run a marathon.

The surrounding has just become quiet, a moment ago it was filled with rhythmic beats and the slender body was gyrating to it as if it has become one with the music. The moves were well-practiced. The whole performance was flawless.

While she moved, the picture it painted was enough to make anyone stop and stare for a while.

But no one was here and no one would come. That was the reason that she was here. She liked the solitude, it made her feel powerful. She could lose herself to the music and let go completely. She has become addicted to it. The beats made her feel alive.

They made her light up from within.

She was wearing black tights and a loose-fitted purple halter top. Her long brown hair was in a ponytail that now was in slight disarray. Despite the obvious sweating as she lifted her face and looked at the rising sun, her face glowed. Her cheeks were flushed, giving a light red color to her fair face.

When she first started practicing it was only for the competition but slowly it morphed into something else. She felt like somehow the music has changed her. And if she was being honest with herself, she liked this new her.

She liked the radiance music brought her, it cheered her up instantly.

An obvious smile played on her lips. It was from the satisfaction that the routine was done well. She knew that she was supposed to take it lightly. But she can't help it. According to her, doing it once was giving in to Wendy's demands. She also needs to keep herself sane. If she did not practice then she would go crazy.

Her eyes were sparkling and anyone looking at those orbs could easily get lost in them. Her light green eyes held so much warmth that they outshone the rising sun. She watched as the dark sky slowly got lighter and splashed with colors making it seem like it was blushing... like her.

She loved to watch it. The sunrise.

Most people don't like to wake up early. They love to sleep in. But to her, those people were missing out on this great view. They could gush over the pictures all they want but nothing beats the real deal.

To watch it with her own eyes, every single time she was left breathless. It was the best part of the day for her. She actually wakes up early every day just to watch it, as the sky changes its color.

It always leaves her in awe, mother nature sure was the best artist.

It gave her hope that as the sun ascends in the sky, the colors shine brilliantly making the once dull canvas painted in different hues giving it life. The new day will also bring new hope to her life. That today would be a better day than tomorrow and even if it did turn out differently even then the sun will once more rise again, tomorrow. It will be a new day and she will be filled with new hope and that was all she wanted.

Because if not then life would be too monotonous, without hope there was no meaning in a new day.

And nowadays one more thing was added into her morning ritual, music. She was learning that it recharges her super fast and she loved the rush it gave her. She gets both of the things, the tranquility from the sun and energy from the music.

The two people were looking at the same sky with different beliefs.

One was filled with hope while the other was searching for one. One was vibrating with life but the other was sinking deep into mire. Nobody knew if the light will extinguish or a flower will bloom.

As the sun climbed higher and higher, new colors joined the previous one, blending and creating a whole new backdrop for birds to explore.

The two people who shared the same sky got up. They took a last glance at the ever-changing skies and started walking. With the last glimpse, they wanted to soak this moment and etch it into themselves for however long it could be.

As the peace was over, the once silent surroundings that only carried occasional coos of birds were now filled with different voices. The reality was calling their names. As much as they wanted to stay there they could not do it.

It was time to go back to join the world.

But they will come back tomorrow or some other day when they needed to escape, to have a moment of their own. The sun will be there to welcome them with its warmth and everlasting hope.