FRACTURE

The night feels darker than usual. Above them, the moon hangs quietly in the vast sky—its pale light spilling across the empty park. They sit side by side on a bench, gently swinging their feet above the ground, while a cool breeze drifts past them.

“You know? I have a question. But I don’t know if I should ask this—it will probably sound stupid,” she says, still looking at her swinging legs.

“What is it? Go on,” he says, giving her a gentle smile.

“Between the sun and the moon, which one will you choose?” she asks, looking into his eyes with a curious stare.

“I’ll always choose the moon.”

“Why so?”

“Because…” He looks up at the moon for a moment before saying, “It’s beautiful.”

“But the sun is beautiful too, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. But it’s big and bright—it catches everyone’s attention quite easily. And the moon? … It’s barely noticeable until you feel blessed enough to look up and realise its presence.”

“Then shouldn’t it be less valuable?” she asks, looking confused.

“Maybe. But to me, it’s much more precious than the sun.”

“How is that?”

“The sun has all the light in the world. It shines as if the whole world is meant to see it. Yet the moon has so little of its own—except its quiet beauty.”

“…” She falls silent, listening to his words.

“The moon found me when I couldn’t find myself. And wherever I go, it helps me find the way with whatever it has to offer.”

For a moment, neither of them says anything.

“When I look at it, every pain, every bad memory, and all the distress fade away with a gentle breeze. I’ll choose the moon over anything the world has to offer me.”

“But what if, one day, the sun becomes more beautiful? What if, one day, the moon gets split in half—scattered across the lonely space?” she asks.

“I’ll still choose the moon.”

“And what if this love of yours for the moon fades away one day for some reason?”

“I’d rather die on that day than lose my interest in the moon.”

They look at each other and smile softly. She gently rests her head on his shoulder, as if she has finally understood that the moon was never really what he was talking about.