And time stood still. Yet again.

They stood face to face, on either side of a chasm – deep and wide. Looking into each other’s eyes, for some spark of recognition. They failed to see it.

‘I..umm..what do I call you?…’, said the emotion
‘Names are not required here. It would complicate things more.’ spoke the rationale.

They stood, reaching out with their eyes – but not connecting.

‘Don’t do this. We can co-exist, like before.’
‘There is a possibility. But the risk is too high. You won’t be able to handle it.’
‘Goddamn you! You can’t read into my mind..my actions…You just don’t know.’, shrieked the emotion.
‘Yes. You’re right. I can’t. Maybe I never could. Or we would never be here now.’ the rationale replied.

They stood at the edges of the chasm, while the bridge lay unused. The same one where they had once stood together, while the world rushed by.

The rationale spoke first, ‘Did you lead me to the center only to push me off?’
‘No, I never intended…’
‘Intent is deceptive. Did you not know the vortex of thought would destroy me?’

The emotion stood shocked – openly displaying feelings for the first time.

‘Don’t worry. Your intent was well disguised. Bravo! For you have succeeded. You made me feel emotion.’ continued the rationale. ‘You … gave me strength and took it away in an instant. You led me to the top and threw me off the cliff. You led me to the lake, and drowned me in it. Yes, you destroyed me.’

‘I am your culprit. Forgive me. There was no malice, no hatred – just ego. It shattered me too, and only you can put the scattered pieces together. Please, don’t do this. Give me another chance – and this time, I won’t pull you down., and the emotion hung it’s head in shame.

‘Don’t blame yourself. I let you rule me. I put myself on self-destruct. You were merely a catalyst. I have no options left to gain. Don’t berate yourself over this. There’s too much in you that you can use, if you choose to, and choose wisely. I never knew you could be a cold strategist. Maybe you could use it in a positive way, for once. There are others waiting for you, or whom you are waiting on. Let me not stop you.’ quavered the rationale.

A tear fell from the rationale’s eyes – the emotion it had not want to show.
But it went unnoticed.
They stood there, the bridge weakening with every passing moment.

‘What do you want?’ the emotion asked
‘You’
‘What do you not want?’ asked the emotion again
‘You’, stated the rationale simply. And smiled. ‘Don’t look so puzzled. It doesn’t go down well as an impression. It’s simple enough to deduce.’
‘Precisely’, came the reply.

The rationale gave a sharp look of cognition. The emotion, a look of alarm.

‘I’ve let you go. Do as you please. If you need a tad bit of rationality, don’t hesitate to ask me. But try finding it in yourself before you ask. For I still haven’t let go of you.’

So said the rationale, and stood staring at a point in the distant horizon. The emotion looked around at the destruction, not realizing the magnitude. The writings on stone seemed to fade away, erasing sacred epistles.

And time stood still. Yet again.