Death is Eternal #398

Sunday. April 28, 2024. 2,500 words.

I have an interesting story to share in the Life section of this Death is Eternal. Since this isn’t a free-for-all newsletter, you should really consider upgrading your subscription. Although part rant, the story is really intriguing. I highly recommend reading it!

Contents

1. Falling Apart

2. Writing: Dilemma

3. Bye!

4. Life (from April 22 to May 5, 2024)

5. Death is Eternal review #274: Barbie

6. The end

1. Falling Apart

In the early days, their synchrony was palpable. Each sentence spoken seemed to seamlessly flow into the next as if guided by an unseen force. Despite having known each other for only a matter of weeks, they appeared to be a celestial pairing, their harmony undeniable. Their unity extended beyond mere agreement; it was as if they shared a singular consciousness, viewing the world through identical lenses of perception. They were not merely compatible; they were perfect complements to one another, a sentiment echoed by all who bore witness to their union.

When they announced their intention to marry, the revelation came as no surprise to those who knew them. To many, it seemed a natural progression, a culmination of a love so evident that its inevitability was unquestionable. Their bond was likened to what would have happened if Juliet and Romeo could have married, a timeless tale of devotion and destiny. Their impending union was celebrated not just as a union of two individuals but as a beacon of hope for all who believed in the possibility of enduring love.

As time unfurled its tapestry, their first year together became a canvas upon which they painted the portrait of their shared existence. It was not a year of discovery in terms of each other, for they had already unlocked the mysteries of their hearts. Instead, it was a year of acclimatization to the world they inhabited together. Their viewpoints, beliefs, and approaches to life were so harmoniously aligned that navigating the external challenges posed little difficulty. They weathered storms and revelled in triumphs as one, their bond deepening with each passing day.

In their second year together, their bond deepened into a tapestry woven with threads of understanding and anticipation. They honed their ability to discern each other’s unspoken needs with a precision that bordered on the uncanny. Before a word was uttered, they sensed the weight of a difficult day or the spark of joy in the other’s eyes. Their gestures of support and celebration became instinctive, flowing effortlessly from a shared well of empathy and affection.

From the outside, their relationship appeared almost otherworldly in its perfection. Those who bore witness to their seamless harmony couldn’t help but wonder if such love could genuinely exist in the realm of mortal beings. Doubts crept in, casting shadows of skepticism upon what had once been a beacon of hope for those who believed in the transformative power of love. Yet, amidst the whispers of doubt, the couple remained blissfully unaware, cocooned in the warmth of their shared happiness.

As they entered their third year of marriage, the first cracks in their idyllic facade began to emerge. It wasn’t a tumultuous quarrel that heralded the onset of discord but a minor disagreement that hinted at deeper fissures beneath the surface. One weary soul longed for respite, unable to muster the energy for a social obligation they had previously committed to. A fleeting discussion ensued, swiftly resolved by an understanding born of mutual respect and compassion.

The following years unfolded much like the ones that came before, each marked by the passage of time and the subtle shifts in their relationship dynamic. The memory of their initial disagreement faded into the recesses of their minds, overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of perfection. Yet, unbeknownst to them, the spectre of conflict lingered, casting a shadow over their seemingly flawless union.

Despite their best efforts to maintain the illusion of seamless harmony, the cracks in their facade deepened with each passing day. Perfection became an elusive mirage, a distant shore they struggled to reach amidst the tumultuous waves of reality. And though they remained oblivious to the brewing storm, the whispers of discontent grew louder, echoing the unspoken truth that their once perfect love was teetering on the brink of collapse.

In the sixth year of their union, subtle shifts began to manifest, heralding the onset of discord. Four minor disagreements punctuated the otherwise tranquil landscape of their relationship, each serving as a poignant reminder of the growing chasm between them. The essence of their disagreement lay not in the trivialities of their conflicting desires—to go or to stay—but in the deeper divide that had begun to gnaw at the foundation of their bond.

Conversations ensued, fraught with the weight of unspoken tensions and unmet expectations. Compromises were reached, and actions were taken, yet the lingering spectre of discontent cast a pall over their once idyllic union. Oblivious to the turmoil brewing within, the outside world remained ensconced in blissful ignorance while doubts festered in the hearts of those who once held their love in reverent admiration.

The seventh and eighth years unfolded in a symphony of discord, the melody of compromise discordant against the backdrop of unfulfilled desires. Dissatisfaction simmered beneath the surface, bubbling to the fore with each passing day. No longer content to mask their discontent, they wore their grievances like badges of honour, a silent testament to the fractures that threatened to splinter their bond irreparably.

In the ninth year, a reckoning loomed on the horizon, beckoning them to confront the unsettling truth that lingered in the shadows of their once-cherished love. With hearts heavy with apprehension, they convened to unravel the tangled web of their disquiet. A compromise was struck, a fragile truce born of mutual acquiescence. Yet, beneath the veneer of newfound harmony, the echoes of discord lingered, whispering of truths left unspoken and desires left unfulfilled.

As the tenth year dawned, clarity pierced the veil of illusion, illuminating the stark reality of their estrangement. What they once mistook for love revealed itself to be naught but a mirage, a fleeting illusion born of comfort and familiarity. With heavy hearts and resigned acceptance, they parted ways, their souls adrift in the sea of uncertainty that lay before them. No guilt lingered in the wake of their decision, only the bittersweet recognition of a love lost to the passage of time.

As their story drew to a close, the world bore witness to the unravelling of a myth, the once cherished tale of enduring love rendered naught but a poignant reminder of the transient nature of the human connection. And amidst the chorus of voices that echoed their demise, one sentiment rang true: love, however fervent, could never withstand the weight of inevitability. And that’s why Juliet never could have married Romeo. A tragic end suits a love story better than a common one.

The end

2. Writing: Dilemma

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

Should I or shouldn’t I? That was the question lingering in my mind as I hesitated to publish The Alchemy of Hope in the last Death is Eternal. The story captured my heart in a way that made me pause and consider alternative avenues for its publication. Maybe I should submit it to journals or magazines accepting short stories. After all, if I aspire to be a published writer, I must start putting my work out there, seeking acceptance from those willing to embrace it.

My ambition is clear—I want to see my writing grace the pages of publications that extend beyond my personal platform. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with self-publishing, I crave the validation and reach that traditional publication offers. Besides, making a living solely from self-publishing is a daunting prospect, one that seems equally challenging even with traditional publishing, if I’m honest with myself. Yet, I must muster the courage to submit my work to esteemed outlets to achieve my dream of being a published writer.

Yet, amidst my contemplation, a nagging doubt crept in—would it be fair to withhold my story from my newsletter? After all, it was within the confines of Death is Eternal that The Alchemy of Hope took shape. Could my newsletter suffice as a platform for my writing, or should I reserve my best pieces for broader submission opportunities? This question has plagued me for some time, leaving me torn between loyalty to my subscribers and aspirations for wider recognition.

In truth, I find myself at a crossroads without a clear path forward. My inclination is to honour the platform that birthed my creativity by sharing my work within its pages. However, I must acknowledge that my writing endeavours have become somewhat stagnant—I pledge to write more, yet find myself confined to the deadlines of Death is Eternal.

The crux of the matter lies not in the decision of whether to submit or self-publish but rather in the question: why don’t I write more? Despite countless hours of introspection, I remain unable to provide a satisfactory answer. It’s a dilemma that persists, casting a shadow over my aspirations as a writer. Until I can unlock the secrets of my own reluctance, I fear I will continue to grapple with this inner conflict, perpetually seeking clarity amidst the fog of uncertainty.

3. Bye!

Here’s where we say our farewell to the free subscribers. If you want to read the rest of Death is Eternal, consider becoming a paying subscriber. If you already are a paying subscriber, first of all, thank you very, very much! And second, I’ll see you on the other side of the paywall.