We the Living

Andrei Taganov died. He pulled the trigger at 6.30 in the morning and I cried at his death.

I could see his death coming as he had ensured the safety of Leo and Kira. The calm of decision landed on his face and a smile so serene that I fell in love with him again. He was in love and his smile was the monument of it.

However. Deep in my heart an anguish burnt. I could not understand a simple fact that people who live by the very ideals they believe in – why do they have to die. Why does the immoral world, without any standards and dreams get to kill people who matter? A death that is proclaimed as a heroic act but somewhere it’s a heinous crime in the hands of humanity.

This death was not a sin committed by Andrei by the people who brought him to his knees. People who take joy in breaking people down to their very shreds and then move on to break another. Until when should I lay low and see them kill every one of my kins. My kins in thoughts and soul.

Should I wait for the killers to come to my door some day with a smile on their face and knife hidden under their shirts? A knife that I will never see coming. It will be well veiled under the sweet words of concern and understanding they show. I will break or will I not?

I would like to believe that I am unbreakable. Vulnerable, but unbreakable. Andrei died because he could not fight for his love and beliefs. I can. I will be living for my cause, win each of my fights and move on. I will carry Andrei forward with Kira and Leo.

PS: Andrei Taganov is a character from We the Living by Ayn Rand