The Shadow and the Heart

After a long journey through the hills, Elango and Nila settled into a small cottage. The day had been filled with laughter, but as the sun dipped below the horizon, a heavy darkness swallowed the world. To Nila, the darkness felt blind and indifferent, yet it was her only companion in the silence. She whispered to the night, 'O darkness, you have no eyes to see, but you are here. Why is the world around me so heartless? Why does the silence feel as cold as stone when my heart is breaking?' As tears streamed down her face, she realized that while the darkness couldn't see her pain, the lack of warmth in her surroundings made her feel even more alone. It was only when Elango reached out and held her hand tightly, promising to stay through every shadow, that the coldness of the night began to fade.