beyond the frame

Reflecting on the old album, it dawned on me that the captured moments within the frames only revealed a fraction of the whole story.

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The camera lens carefully preserved what we chose to remember, inadvertently leaving much untold beyond its boundaries. Those unframed instances dissolved into the passage of time, unrecorded.

 

Who would have guessed that the triumphant figure clutching the trophy had endured days of despair beyond the lens? Or that the beaming faces in the photograph concealed ulterior motives in the world outside? The vibrant Holi picture masked hidden intentions, while the cheerful schoolyard companions ceased their conversations. The serene home portrait failed to convey the sacrifices that were made. The seemingly flawless family portrait belied the imperfections in their relationships, while tears lingered behind tinted sunglasses and broken hearts remained shrouded in wedding snapshots. Silent sorrows persisted within lively frames, escaping the camera's gaze but etched deeply within memory.

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The rush of emotions these images evoke overwhelms me, prompting a contemplation on why we safeguard these glimpses so fervently. Even as we progress in life, we find ourselves drawn back by the gravity of these memories. Yet, they serve as a poignant reminder of my past and my identity, elements of which I am still willing to share with others captured in the frame. After all, it's not merely a frame, but a treasury of boundless memories - some we yearn to relive, others we are content to let fade away.