Read Receipt: 3:17 a.m.

By Khayelihle Benghu

Photo by Shubham Sharan on Unsplash

Dear John,

By the time you read this, I’ll be retroactively single. The physicist downstairs finally finished his apology machine. It erases relationships before they begin, saving everyone time. We have therefore never met, though I distinctly remember your laugh and the way you burned toast. If you feel a sudden lightness, that’s us unwinding. Please don’t look for me in the café; it’s already too late. I’ve asked him to spare the cat, we never adopted her, but she deserves continuity. Thank you for the almost-years. They were almost wonderful.

Sincerely,

The woman you almost loved

---

Khayelihle Benghu resides in Johannesburg, South Africa. She has been writing since 2008, and besides writing, she has a passion for photography, mainly nature.

---