A Fallen Eyelash (Short Story)

She sat there, tears streaming down her face.

Her eyes seemed to bore right through his soul, a silent plea which he understood yet could not fulfill.

Please don't leave.

He forced a smile even though his own heart was breaking.

Placing his hands gently on her shoulders, he whispered to her.

"There now, please don't cry. I want you to be happy and you know that."

She continued to stare at him mutely.

Lifting two fingers, he gently plucked a fallen eyelash off her tear-stained face.

"See? A fallen eyelash means that someone is missing you. I'll always miss you no matter where I go. So you'd better make sure your eyelashes grow as fast as they drop off."

She smiled faintly. His sense of humor made it hard for her to stay angry with him for long.

"Is it true?" she said in a small voice.

He'd always loved regaling her with fantasy folklore and superstitions about every day life.

Sometimes, she wondered if he'd already been living in his own world of dreams when they got together.

Then he smiled that mysterious smile of his.

"Of course it's true. When have I ever told you a lie?"

Far too many times, she thought wearily.

But she remained silent.

It would not make a difference. It never did.

"Now," he said slowly, grinning as his other hand went up to cover her eyes. "You get to make a wish. A fallen eyelash is considered lucky too."

She smiled again, though there was an added trace of bitterness in her smile. Still, the distracting warmth of his palm was sending hopeful tingles down her heart.

She closed her eyes in the darkness and wished.

For him to stay and stop telling me lies.

It was an impossible wish, she knew. Yet there was still a spark of hope within her that refused to die.

When she opened her eyes, he winked at her and blew away the eyelash.

It danced away on the currents of the wind, invisible to the naked eye.

"Your wish has been granted," he said simply, as though his words alone were enough to make it come true.

Did he really think she was just some six-year old kid?

I've given up believing in fairy tales a long time ago.

She turned to look away, so he could not see the pain and bitterness lingering there.

"I hope it really has," she said softly, more to herself than to anyone else.