[ SAME MIRROR ]

I looked into the mirror

Like I always do

Same room

Same face

Same quiet afternoon

I smiled.

You didn't.

I stopped.

You stared back.

For a second

I thought I imagined it

So I turned away

Then looked again

You were still there.

A little different.

Your eyes looked tired

Mine didn't

Your hair was messy

Mine was fine

I touched the glass.

You touched it too.

Cold fingers

Warm breath

A thin line between us

I wonder what's behind it.

The room looks the same

But somehow

It feels farther away

You walk when I walk

You stop when I stop

Usually.

Tonight

You stayed still.

I whispered:

Hello?

Your lips moved.

No sound.

I leaned closer

Trying to read the shape

You said my name.

I stepped back.

The mirror stayed quiet.

Maybe you're lonely.

Maybe I'm lonely.

I don't know.

I sit on the floor

And look at you

For a very long time

You sit too.

Two little worlds

Facing each other

One light

One shadow

One piece of glass

I start to wonder

What you do

When I'm not looking.

Do you sleep?

Do you dream?

Do you have a room

On the other side?

I laugh softly.

That's ridiculous.

But you smiled.

Not my smile.

Yours.

I stop laughing.

You put your hand

Against the glass again.

This time

I don't move.

Our palms almost meet.

Almost.

The room gets darker

The mirror gets brighter

And for just a moment

I can't tell which side

I'm standing on.

You look afraid.

So do I.

I whisper:

It's okay.

You nod.

Maybe you understand me.

Maybe you've always understood me.

I turn off the light.

The room disappears.

But the mirror stays bright.

And somewhere inside it

I can still see you.

Waiting.

Watching.

Breathing.

I close my eyes.

When I open them—

You're gone.

Only me.

Same face.

Same room.

Same quiet afternoon.

I smile.

This time—

You smile back.

And I finally understand.

Someone is living

In my reflection.

Someone who looks like me.

Someone who isn't.