Below the Sky

Chapter 39: Lila

The day I had been dreading for months had finally arrived. The day when Riana would finally leave me, and she would be yanked out of my life, maybe forever.
I awoke early, laying on top of Riana. The room was still sheltered in blackness, and no sunlight was streaming through the windows yet. I was cuddled up next to Riana, my head resting on her chest. Her body rose and fell with breaths, slow and steady.
I moved slightly, pulling myself up so I had more mobility. Then I softly kissed Riana, not enough to wake her. Her lips tasted like salt, the tears that she had shed in the night. I kissed her for a few seconds, then I stopped, moving back so I was cuddled up by her side.
It was heartbreaking that she would be gone from me in just a few hours, but at the same time, it was somehow also a relief. I had been dreading this day for so long, and not that it was finally hear all the anxiety from waiting for it to arrive would disappear.
I wondered what my life would be like after Riana would be gone. Would I find a job? Or maybe I would even start dating another person. It was all unclear, a future that was so too thick with fog you couldn't see into it if you tried.

I eventually fell back asleep, and woke up again an hour or two later. Now sun shone brightly through the shutters, eliminating the small room. I noticed as soon as I opened my eyes that Riana wasn't laying next to me anymore. No, she must already be awake, probably doing some last minute preparation.
I sat up, yawning. The apartment was a mess, clothes thrown everywhere, and dishes sprawled all over the kitchen. I figured I would help Elijah tidy up later, after Riana would be gone.
I noticed her sitting in Elijah's rocking chair, reading. "Is that a book in your hand?" I asked her as I sat up.
Riana looked up, smiling, "ya, I figured I'd give it a try." Then she set down her reading, and softly came over to me. She cupped my chin in her hand, kissing me, slowly.
Riana drew out the kiss for a while, not wanting to let go. I noticed as our lips met that tears were dripping down her face, merging onto mine. Riana was crying, and soon enough I started bawling too. We had to stop kissing so I could contain myself, burying my head on Riana's shoulder.
"It'll be okay Lila," Riana said, stroking my hair.
"What if I never see you again," I moaned.
"I can't guarantee that we'll meet up again Lila, but trust me, everything will work out. Maybe we are meant to be, and if so then we'll marry someday. Or maybe we aren't, and our love was just another step on the path of our life. Either way, I couldn't be more grateful to have met you," then I was in Riana's arms.
She held me for a long time, much longer than a hug should last. I cried hard, then eventually soft into her shoulder. My heart just felt like it was breaking in half, all the weight on it from the entire summer winning the battle.

That morning Elijah cooked us breakfast. Me and Riana sat at the kitchen table, waiting eagerly for Elijah to set plates full of food in front of us. He was making eggs, and some sausage too.
After fifteen minutes or so, Elijah spooned some eggs and meat onto three plates, setting two in front of me and Riana. Then he took a seat, picking up a fork and starting to shovel his food into his mouth.
The breakfast tasted good, I'll give Elijah that, but my heart wasn't in it to enjoy this food right now. All I could think about was the inevitable departure of Riana, leaving me for who knows how long.
We finished eating, and I helped Elijah clean up the dishes. Riana went back to the armchair, settling in with the same book as before, while I scrubbed plates next to Elijah.
"I'm really sad that Riana's leaving," Elijah said, rubbing some grime off of a plate with a sponge.
I didn't say anything.
"Lila, once Riana's gone we should really find you a job. Or maybe a place of your own if you're up for it," Elijah said.
"Okay Elijah," I wasn't in the mood to uphold a conversation, and definitely not in the mood to talk about moving into my own place.

Around nine, Riana was ready to go. We all helped her load carry her bags down to the train station. The walk there was silent, no one wanting to say anything. Elijah hadn't known Riana for that long, so her leaving probably wasn't too heartbreaking for him. But me though, Riana being gone was just so much to handle.
We made it to the station in time, the train not having arrived yet. I set down my bag I was holding on the platform, waiting with Riana for the train to come, her fingers intwined with mine. We didn't speak.
Elijah gave us some space, waiting a few feet away. I turned to Riana, and took her face in my mine.
"I love you more than the world Riana, don't ever forget that, okay?"
"I love you so much to Lila. I'll forever hold this summer in my heart." Then we kissed, are tears making it sloppy.
We didn't care that there so many people around, or that we were in a very public place. It was only us, and our love, and the incoming train wrenching us apart.
Much too soon the train arrived, and Riana picked up her bags to leave. She hugged Elijah quickly, thanking him for everything. Then she kissed me on the cheek, just a soft kiss to tell me how much she loved me. I walked her to the step, holding her hand the entire way. She climbed into the train, and let go of my hand.
Riana moved through the train, exiting from my view. Eventually I saw her through a window, waving. She made her hands into the shape of a heart, pointing them at me. As the train sped away, Riana waved the entire time, and even from far away, I could tell she was crying.
When Riana was finally gone, I sank to the ground, holding my head in my arms. I sobbed, shaking uncontrollably. That was it, she was gone. Riana was gone, and she might not come back.
Elijah helped me up, and led me home. It was hard to see where we were walking with all the tears pouring down my face. When we got home, Elijah led me to the couch, and tucked me in.
"I know how much you loved her Lila, but listen here," I looked up at Elijah, feeling slightly self conscious with how red and puffy my face probably was.
"All beautiful things must come to an end, that's how you know they're beautiful," then he kissed me on the cheek.