Until You Fall Asleep is a short story about a thing called love. A man meets another man at a queer summer festival, and the two men immediately have a connection. So they continue to see each other after the festival. But while one of them is falling head over heels in love, the other doesn’t seem to share the same feelings. As the main character tries to find a new way to love him and win him over, he slowly loses himself in his feelings. And fantasy and reality start to intertwine as he tries to make sense of it all. Love can be a very confusing thing. And this journey will not only bring new discoveries about himself but also how love can work in different ways.
Photograhpy by Boris Windmeijer
This is a work of fiction, but it draws a lot of inspiration from my life up to this point. I have always wanted to write a story that I could relate to. Putting experiences and my love for the nightlife into a story. All the while being unapologetically open and writing from the viewpoint of someone who is distraught and confused by love. Feeling insecure, having doubts, and having trust issues. Being driven mad by love and obsession.
Looking from the outside, you usually have a much clearer and more rational outlook on what is really going on. But if you are the one in love, rationality flies out the window. Maybe these chapters are just the mad ravings of someone in love. I will leave it up to you to decide.
The story is an ongoing project. Tweaking it here and there, taking all your feedback and opinions into consideration. It’s flawed, just like I am. But I hope you will find something there that you like. A smile, a chuckle, or a tear. Or perhaps just a raised eyebrow.
Enjoy.
Martijn Winkel 