The surgery was successful; the ejection fraction increased from 15% to 25%, and the shortness of breath disappeared. However, I was warned: in the long term, heart failure can lead to cognitive decline and memory loss-even dementia. My mother sits at the table, staring blankly. Her once-dark hair is now streaked with gray. I lower my gaze to her eyes, an unreal sky blue. Suddenly, tears stream down her wrinkled face. Her voice trembles. Please, tell me-I know you've told me before, but I've forgotten. Who are you?
Ionuț Morariu
Dear diary, I write to you because I have nothing to say. To anyone. I am still an unbroken blank page. I write also to prove to myself that I was born.When I asked people about the purpose of this vale of tears, they all lied to me. Since then, dear journal, I trust no one. Except for you. And my pristine sheets of paper, from which I fold boats and letters addressed to no one. From time to time, unexpectedly, the notes and ships bring back a reply.And then I cry. Because not a day goes by without forgetting a letter.
Alex Micu
I forget. I always forget that I live in a world that is slowly and surely dying. I look out the window and see the park through which, once, beautiful and happy people strolled. Children, the elderly, young ones. Lovers. She wore a yellow skirt and a red blouse. He had blue pants and a green shirt. Now, I see only people with furrowed brows, their gaze and thoughts lost in the light of screens. I forget that I need to align myself with trends. I forget that I must be what others want. I forget because I want to. I look back only to remember what it means to look forward.
(Translated by Teodora Anghelachi / University of Bucharest, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literatures, MTTLC, year I / Corrected by Silvia Petrescu, coordinator of the translations)
Versiunea în română a acestui text se poate citi aici, în rubrica Ficțiuni Reale.