Falling Stars

Episode-4 : My Regrets Of Past

The Celestial Elimination Department's training was rigorous and demanding, but Gabriel and Mark had proven their worth. They were now ready to embark on their mission. However, before their departure, they had a few days of leave to spend with their loved ones. For Gabriel, this meant facing a part of his past that he had kept buried deep within him.

Gabriel and Mark decided to return to their hometown for a brief respite. The journey was filled with light-hearted banter, but underneath the surface, Gabriel felt a growing tension. It had been years since he had seen Amelia, his ex-wife. Their separation had been painful, marked by the tragic loss of their son, Ethan, who had died in a bomb blast at his school.

As they drove into the familiar streets of their hometown, memories flooded Gabriel's mind. He could see Ethan's face, hear his laughter, and feel the weight of his absence. Mark noticed the change in Gabriel's demeanor and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"You okay, man?" Mark asked, his voice gentle.

Gabriel nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, just a lot of memories."

They pulled up to Amelia's house, a modest home with a neatly kept yard. Gabriel took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. Mark gave him an encouraging nod before they stepped out of the car.

Amelia was waiting for them on the porch. She looked much the same as Gabriel remembered, though there was a sadness in her eyes that mirrored his own. She smiled softly as they approached.

"Hi, Gabriel. Hi, Mark," she greeted them, her voice warm but tinged with melancholy.

"Hi, Amelia," Gabriel replied, his voice catching slightly. "It's good to see you."

Amelia nodded, her eyes meeting his. "It's good to see you too. Come on in."

The inside of the house was filled with reminders of their life together. Photos of Ethan adorned the walls, his bright smile captured in countless moments of joy. Gabriel felt a lump form in his throat as he looked around. Amelia noticed and placed a hand on his arm.

"Let's sit down," she suggested, guiding them to the living room.

They settled onto the couch, the silence heavy with unspoken emotions. Mark, sensing the need for privacy, excused himself to the kitchen to make some tea.

Amelia turned to Gabriel, her eyes searching his face. "How have you been, Gabriel?"

Gabriel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've been... managing. The training has been intense, but it's given me a sense of purpose."

Amelia nodded, her expression understanding. "I'm glad to hear that. You've always needed something to fight for."

There was a pause, the weight of their shared grief hanging in the air. Gabriel took a deep breath, the words he had been avoiding finally breaking free.

"I think about him every day," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I see his face, hear his laughter... I miss him so much."

Tears welled in Amelia's eyes as she reached for Gabriel's hand. "I miss him too. There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of Ethan. He was our light."

Gabriel nodded, tears spilling down his cheeks. "I should have been there. I should have protected him."

Amelia squeezed his hand, her grip firm yet gentle. "It wasn't your fault, Gabriel. None of us could have known. That criminal... he took so much from us."

Gabriel's mind flashed back to that fateful day. He had been at work when he received the call. A bomb had exploded at Ethan's school, killing several children and wounding many more. The police investigation revealed that the bomb had been planted by a criminal known for his brutal methods, a man they had been unable to catch.

The pain of that loss had driven a wedge between Gabriel and Amelia. They had both been consumed by their grief, unable to find solace in each other. Eventually, they had drifted apart, each trying to cope in their own way.

Mark returned with a tray of tea, breaking the heavy silence. He placed the tray on the table and sat down beside them, offering a comforting presence.

"Thanks, Mark," Amelia said, giving him a grateful smile.

They sipped their tea in silence for a few moments, the warmth of the drink offering a small measure of comfort. Gabriel looked at Amelia, his heart aching with the weight of their shared loss.

"Amelia, I..." he began, his voice trembling. "I'm so sorry for everything. For leaving, for not being there... I thought I was protecting you by staying away, but I realize now that I was just running from my own pain."

Amelia reached out, touching his cheek gently. "Gabriel, we both made mistakes. We were hurting, and we didn't know how to handle it. But I'm glad you're here now. We can face this together."

Gabriel felt a surge of emotion, a mix of sorrow and relief. He leaned into her touch, feeling a sense of connection he had thought lost forever.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "For understanding. For being here."

They sat in silence, the unspoken words between them finally finding release. Mark watched, his heart heavy with empathy for his friends. He knew their journey was far from over, but this moment of reconnection was a step towards healing.

As the evening wore on, they shared stories of Ethan, recalling his mischievous grin, his boundless energy, and his love for adventure. They laughed and cried, finding solace in their memories.

Gabriel felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in years. He knew that the pain of losing Ethan would never fully fade, but being here with Amelia, sharing their grief and their love for their son, made the burden a little easier to bear.

As the night drew to a close, Gabriel and Mark prepared to leave. Amelia walked them to the door, her expression tender and hopeful.

"Take care of yourself, Gabriel," she said, hugging him tightly. "And come back safe."

Gabriel hugged her back, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging. "I will, Amelia. Thank you."

They parted with a sense of renewed connection, the bond of their shared loss and love for Ethan bringing them closer. Gabriel and Mark drove back to their hotel, the night air cool and refreshing.

As they pulled into the parking lot, Mark turned to Gabriel, his expression thoughtful. "You did good today, Gabriel. I'm proud of you."

Gabriel nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Thanks, Mark. It was hard, but it was worth it."

They stepped out of the car, the stars above them twinkling like a promise of hope. Gabriel looked up, feeling a sense of resolve. He knew that his journey was far from over, but he was ready to face it, with his friends and his memories guiding him.

As they entered their hotel room, Gabriel felt a sense of peace. He knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but he also knew that he wasn't alone. With Mark by his side and the memory of his son in his heart, he felt ready to take on whatever came next.

And as he drifted off to sleep, he dreamed of Ethan's laughter, a beacon of light in the darkness, guiding him towards a brighter future.