Black and White

It has been months since White last saw Black. In past months, heated arguments evolved to angry emails, simmered to cold wars, to no contact. Then out of the blue, Black contacted White with another pacified email and this placating led to another phone-call.

Since the day Black cut all ties with White, White had been devastated. White became better with the support and encouragement of her many friends and she soothed herself by partaking in plentiful activities. White volunteered, giving free tuition services to the needy in the hope that by helping others, it would fill up the void. Well, it did work. Slowly, White carved a life of her own. She learnt french, golf, went for an academic conference and bask in many travels. To date, White has visited six countries in the year and in such a short span, her life was filled with cheery "colours". White has never felt so fulfilled and in a way, she thanks Black for the way she is today.

This phone call steered to a meet up between Black and White. They were supposed to meet at the hotel lobby where Black was residing. As usual, Black who was a typical workaholic and always driven by an innate passion to excel in his career, was late. Apologies were said and both persons ambled to the nearest restaurant in the hotel. Much pauses were noticed in their conversations. Both were concealing their weaknesses by putting up amiable fronts. Both engaged in logical and rational exchanges. The conventional type. It's the "how do you do?" and the "I'm fine" dialogue. Both had much to say about how the other has changed in terms of appearance. To White, Black lost weight, donned different spectacles, watch and wallet. To Black, White had a natural glow, a different aura and lost weight too.

This dialogue continued to Black's uttering sweet declarations of White's mum, Violet. Black always adored Violet as she was one of the most patient, generous and sincere people. She was a woman full of grace. Black handed a pink box to White. "Pass this to your mum and send my regards. It's her belated birthday present." White accepted politely, and again, muttered the expected "You did not have to."

The chat flowed to topics regarding friends, work, love, travels, goals, interests in life and even why the relationship they once shared ended. Just months back, Black ignored all calls from White and chose to share his life with another, Orange. This neglect was all abrupt and sudden. This meeting gave White an opportunity to air her disgruntles, seizing this opening to voice out her discontentment with him. Arrows were shot, only to find them deflected. All these came to a halt when both finally admitted their mistakes. Black knew he was selfish and confessed to misdealing the whole situation. White acknowledged that her elfish behaviour was part of the problem. But there was no point wallowing in perplexes.

It seemed as if they were performing a soliloqy, both crooning different tunes. Black was playing a rock song which was grim, powerful and rough at the edges. Powerful in the sense that Black was very successful in his career. His work will soon take him to emerging economies like Pakistan and Ecuador. But he did not seem contented. He revealed a tinge of sadness and regret. He was doleful that the friends he once had now harbor certain detest for him. He asked all the "what-if questions". As he warbled, tears welled up.

"There is no point now. I have moved on and you've got to." White mumbled. Although White appeared nonchalent, she still cared for Black. After all, Black had always been a confidant to her. White diverted the topic and began a light, crisp and delightful folk song. White whistled tunes of friendships and travels, all painting pictures of cordialness and pleasure. White hoped that her tunes were not signs of mockery to Black, which White intended to before she met Black. But now, mockery seemed inappropraite in White's dictionary.

Before Black and White parted, Black touched White's face, only to be discouraged with a light slap on the arm. They promised to keep in contact through emails before they separated.