THE PRESENT

It hurts.

It hurts so much. Moments like these are what make me want to pick a rope, and end it all.

I can't relieve this ache in my heart, was this heartbreak? This heavy weight in my stomach, the breaths that are

too laborious to drag. Even the intake of air feels like a punch to my lungs.

It wasn't always like this. No, for a time, life was colorful like the sunset in summer. I wanted those days to last

forever.

I never want to forget. Oh, I can't even.

You are a photograph that never fades.

SOMETIME IN THE PAST

Click. Click. Click.

That's all I have been doing for the past 30 minutes.

I don't enjoy it as usual.

It doesn't help that my models are not invested in this as much as I want them to. It doesn't also help that the day is coming to a close. The red orange rays of the sun leave their imprint on the studio walls. I drop my camera and signal to my assistant, Chika. A small but efficient girl ,that we are stopping the shoot.

She goes to tell the models and I swear their shoulders dropped in relief. I unintentionally roll my eyes, they weren't forced to do this and they were not even that good. If not for whatever connections they might have , they would have never made it here. Chika comes to tell me the models are going home. Accounts was going to handle their pay. I wave her off, not caring anymore about them or their payments. I wasn't satisfied. Chika was done and goes home.

Another fruitless shoot. I sigh, thinking about how I should have just stayed at home and binged on Netflix.

I gathered my bags and lock the door, checking twice for safety. The robbery cases in this area was becoming alarming and God forbid that any of my equipments is stolen. I rather have peace knowing my old equipments are secure than buy new ones.

I leave my office /studio by 7, and was walking down the street to get a vehicle when I saw her.

At first I thought she was a runs girl, pardon me, but I've had bad experiences with them. But the logical part of my brain whispered that it was too early. She seemed to be sitting but on a close look, she was actually squatting, head bowed. The black hoodie jacket overshadowed her small frame except for her hair that glowed in the evening sun. I wondered if she was drunk and was left here to cool off.

I walked past quickly, better to avoid trouble because I want to help a stranger.

I was not more than 10 steps away when I heard her speak,“please, help".