The world stopped spinning in an instant. I felt as if the planets, the stars, the sun, came crashing into the atmosphere.
My heart felt weightless, my eyes felt dry, my voice was gone, nothing felt real.
I heard Claire gasp softly, clenching onto my hand. I lifted myself up slowly, my eyes never leaving the TV.
At a moment's notice, Claire turned off the TV. I could feel her eyes on me, watching my every move out of worry.
"Michael.. Michael, I'm so sorry," She whispered, her voice quivering.
I stayed silent, not being able to find the words. This can't be real, this has to be a lie. I can't let this be real.
Please don't be real, I thought to myself, tears bursting out of my eyes.
"Please.. please say this isn't happening," I sobbed as I fell to my knees in despair.
Claire rushed over to me, consoling me in any way she could. She pulled me into her chest and just let me cry.
"I told her, Claire, I told her! I warned her, how could she leave me again? How could she?" I yelled, more tears poured down my cheeks, "Why her, why Maria?"
I clutched onto Claire as tight as I could, afraid she would leave me too.
"I'm right here, baby, it's okay," She said, tears falling from her own eyes.
The only feelings I felt were agony and disbelief.
Losing someone you love is a feeling that is so empty, and so damning.
It's one thing to break up with someone, but for them to leave is a different story.
The painful realization set in. I'd never be able to hold Maria again, argue with her again, listen to music with her again, kiss her again, laugh with her again, make love to her again, or see her again.
I'd never see her again.
I sobbed even harder, which I thought was impossible.
"Claire, how could she do this? Why?" My voice cracked.
I began to feel lightheaded from all the crying and the overwhelming thoughts. I cannot believe she is gone.
After what felt like an infinity, I finally began to breathe remotely normal. Tears flowed down my face like a waterfall in a storm.
"Michael, baby..." Claire began with a soft tone, "What can I do for you, my love? What is it you need, sweetie?"
"Her! I need her!" I began sobbing again. Claire's response was just a tighter hug, followed with a soft 'it's okay.'
"I love you, Michael, I'm so sorry," She whispered, kissing my forehead.
Everything she was saying, everything she was doing, was right.
But it wasn't Maria.
All I needed was Maria and I couldn't have her again.
All I needed were Maria's arms, her kisses, her laughter, her voice, her smile.
I needed her.
*Two Weeks Later*
"Michael, honey?" Claire asked gently, "The car is here, my love, we have to go."
Today was Maria's funeral, and I was still beside myself. I stared at myself in the mirror, straightening out my suit and fixing my hair. I didn't even bother wearing makeup today, I knew that it wouldn't go well if I did.
