Short Stories Collection.

1. Happy Ending

        They say, "Your life flashes before you just before you die. " I guess this is it. In that gloomful state, even when I have no stock of my own body, I could definitely feel my smile. Untimely death is a tragedy and a sad ending, that's the obvious thing. But at that moment I realised it's up to the person who died, whether it's sad Or happy. I'd deemed mine a happy ending for I saw YOU in my last moments. 

         Sunny day, clear skies, chilly gusts of wind and dry leaves on the ground, just another typical autumn day. The loner I was, I sat under the willow tree overlooking Lady Marionette Lake. I jotted down in my diary about the joys of how I ended my semester in pure solitude. My peace was interrupted by an empty can hitting my head. I involuntarily mouthed a curse as I turned to whoever was responsible and saw YOU frozen in your place with a rather surprised look. 

"You swore? " You said. 

I could only glare at you until reality slowly dawned on me and my rage slowly dissipated and embarrassment took its place. I sat back down and continued with my work, hoping to hide my embarrassed face. To my surprise you came towards me and sat beside me and fixed my journal I had written on it upside down. I looked at you and  burst into fits of laughter in the most inappropriate of times. You laughed along too. 

As the laughter died down, I began to feel embarrassed again and awkwardness set in. You told me that that was intended to bring some emotion to my face rather than the numbed and angry one that had always rested on it. You had always kept watch of me all along at college but never mustered up the courage to walk up to me. But then again, you had the courage to throw an empty can the first time you approached me. I guess that was my cue for an enthralling roller coaster ride. 

Fast forward to our first anniversary, you got me a necklace in the shape of an empty can. Your love language was paying attention to every little detail and making me feel special each time. 

2 Anniversary. We had spent quite a lot of time together by then. And like every relationship, ours took a hit too. Our chat becomes slovenly and dry. Our works became our excuses. Paranoia started planting seeds of doubts into our heads whenever we caught sight of each other mingling with the opposite sex. Fights started. We took turns getting the silent treatment, waiting for each other to apologise first. And you had always been the first to break that cycle. And maybe that's why we were able to overcome that phase, all thanks to your patience. Looking back, I had always remained grateful for that. 

3rd anniversary. We decided it was time we took it to another level. You surprised me when you got down on your knees while I was still searching for the non-existing shooting star. I guess it had landed beside me. 

Next week marks our 4th anniversary. And hopefully, the next anniversary after that would be a first again as we went back to square one with the start of something new between us. The willow tree was to be decorated with the finest fairy lights. Lady Marionette Lake was to witness our vows and our friends and families were to pray for us. And from then on we would thread towards the 'happily ever after' that we had always wished for, with life coming to a full circle when we get a son who looks just like you and a daughter who looks just like me. 

Earlier today, I was feeling bitter about you not being able to accompany me for my wedding dress trial, but thank goodness you didn't honey. The  sound of sirens is fading honey, I guess it's time to go. I desperately wish a miracle would offer me a way to tell you how happy my ending is, because I have you in my last-moment thoughts. I love you so much, honey. You were the best thing to ever happen to me.