Gina had seen me on several occasions, as I had. On that particular night, she was on her own, looking for adventure, I presume. I admit that seeing her alone was a strange sighting, and she must have felt it as well, or she would not have approached me.

We were only a couple of streets away from the usual bar, but I was not about to let such an occasion pass me by without exploiting it. It was like finding a window into a world you never truly explored. Curiosity on its own glues your eyes to the panes. Within minutes, we were sitting on high stools, sipping liqueur and chatting idly.

It turned out that Gina’s allure was more than just skin-deep. She was funny, charismatic and her very words made you feel special. And like you, I too was wondering what was wrong with her, because no one is so flawless.

Alcohol has this particular effect on some people. It loosens their tongues, opens them up. Or maybe it releases their real self into the wild. Now that I think about it, that is what probably happened to her.

I guess I should have figured it out on my own earlier. Everything about the way she moved, and the manner in which she forged her words just screamed it about her. She was a novice politician, making her way up the power’s food chain. Bingo.

The thing about politicians is that they don’t all go in looking for the same reward. I mean, there has to be a reason. Perhaps it’s the feel-good factor, or power, fame or money. Whatever it is, there’s always something that pushes people to come out, fists swinging and fighting for what they believe in. And that is when I popped the same questions that I asked you to Gina.

Perhaps it’s the feel-good factor, or power, fame or money. Whatever it is, there’s always something that pushes people to come out, fists swinging and fighting for what they believe in.

Gina was artful with words, but her answer was straightforward. Why does there have to be an endgoal? Why should anyone have to settle for less than they deserve? Putting a lid on her ambitions meant barring all the change she could bring about, and make it impossible to reach her full potential.

That was all there there was to it for Gina — putting a limit was akin to a ceiling blocking the sky above. And she, in all her glamour, wanted to be the graceful bird with powerful wings who could rise above the clouds to see the sky above.

For a few moments, we were both on the same page. I’m sure you would have been, as well. Sitting on that stool, you would have kept listening, allowing yourself to be captivated by the carefully-chosen words of a politician. For a few seconds, you too would have put aside your disdain for the popularity that she enjoys.

Lying on your back at night, how much time do you spend regretting the choices you never made, the words you never spoke? Isn’t that what the eternal night is all about? When all choices seem minimal compared to the impending doom, aren’t you going to desperately wish to go back in time and make that one choice that could have changed your whole life? The choice you never made.

When all choices seem minimal compared to the impending doom, aren’t you going to desperately wish to go back in time and make that one choice that could have changed your whole life?

I could see it in Gina’s eyes. She didn’t have that problem, and she would never have it.

I never got the chance to tell her all that, because right then, the door opened, and my gaze settled on the newcomer — Percy.