THE WRIST WATCH

M:But how long can you carry this? You should somehow get rid of it; carrying it on your back costs you your reek, risking your peace.

I don't have time for this again; I'd rather skip it.

P:Well, speaking of time, I need to strap on my never-ending tick-tick partner. I can hardly prevail without it. From that, you can figure out what it means to me.

Click-click the sound made by the clasp of Phren's watch when he snapped it into place.

M:"Why do you strap it loose? I don't understand you," Manas gently asked.

P:"Wha-what? What's there to interpret about me? I'm the one who's going after what I like, and I don't get what bothers you about letting me do so."

M:"This isn't about the reason for my concern, but rather what I'm concerned with." That shows your lack of interest in comprehension. Yet, I must do my part and give you the scoop, for what it's worth. Loosening your strap doesn't that signify detachment? Or how you are so easy to let it hang onto you while making no effort for it to stay?

P:"Wait, what's wrong with that? This is such a presumptuous and strange notion. If the idea of holding it loose suggests detachment, I can go along with it. That's called wisdom to me. Developing a sense of detachment while still wanting it is sagacity. I sense this is getting nowhere fast. Rather than speculating about how easy it is for me to let it hang onto me, why don't you recognize my comfort in this place? Am I forbidden from enjoying my comforts?"

M:"That proves my point," Manas mumbled. “I know you are impassive and show no exertion. If that's wisdom to you, and if you, being so sagacious, also know the cons of being so, I suppose you'll never get the true essence of belongingness, nor enjoy the possession. That might be comforting to you, but flip the situation. What about the poor watch, waiting for you and dangling from your hand, in your control?”

P:"This is yet another bold thought of yours, to assume as such. I might not grasp the true essence, I agree, but why should I hurt myself by tightening it and choosing pain. knowing the belt leaves marks when I remove it, when I have another possibility, one that gives me comfort? I'm not bound to hold it firm. Why do I have to stick to it and bring the two ends together if it requires me to go the extra mile? I'd rather release it, evict it." Flipping the situation, what if it hurts the belt as well? I feel this is the way it is meant to be.

"That backs up what I thought about you," Phren rebuked in disappointment.

M:"So, you'd simply let it rot rather than giving it the right importance and blame it on choices?" Manas questioned.

Phren went through a spectrum of emotions and answered, “Yes.”

For Phren, it's about keeping things understated; he doesn't force effort, yet still nurtures a meaningful bond. He prefers simplicity. He isn't at fault, though his calm and reserved nature can make him seem distant or cold-hearted.

"The fragrance of a cold-heart costs your reek,

Seeking your blood first for you to taste their nectar."

I never get what she says.

It's me and her, as always.

Gotta listen to her; she's the first one to come to this place.

How ignorant of her to bound the boundless,

The ever-ticking and never-ending march of time is relentless.

To put myself in pain is never a choice.

I liberate it, knowing I have no control over it.

I cherish the little possessions, however brief their time with me may be.

But she's the one responsible for my survival,

Pumping the blood from the aorta to me.

She is the anchor of my existence; gotta listen to her.