The Compendium

7 Minutes

"Please, stay with me."

Church bells ringing, crowd clapping, your soft lips against my own. Confetti and flower petals rained down all over us. Your laughter rung in my ears and I couldn't stop but fall in love all over again.

I held your hand tight. Our rings, entwined like our destinies. A promise of tomorrow with you, a promise of life lived in your warm presence.

I love you.

"I could melt if you don't stop staring at me." You whispered against my lips. Catching me staring for the nth time while everyone watched us dance. My two left feet already complaining about the heels.

"I'll melt with you, if that's the case."

"Oh yeah?" You said chuckling, pinching my cheeks. Your white dress made you look like an angel under the bright chandelier. "You'd do that, huh?"

"Yep. That's how much I love you. I'll follow wherever you go."

"Promise?" You leaned forward, rubbing our noses.

"Promise." I kissed your smiling lips.

Warm and sweet.

"I'll hold on to that."

I remember as clear as day when you said that.

So, why?

.
.
.

Why are you asking me to break my promise? Why, Solara, why?

Why would you do this to me?

"I'm sorry." Silent tears leaked down your temple, the white sheet of the bed covering your body. "I am sorry but, please. Don't follow me"

"Solara..."

"My love, promise me..." The machines around us beeped endlessly. Reminding me of this borrowed time.

That soon, you'll be leaving me.

And you wouldn't want me to follow you.

"Promise me, you'll live on." You smiled that soft, tender smile you never failed to give me for the past 10 years of our life.

Every morning, every night. Every day.

How could you expect me to wake up and never find you there wearing that heart breaking smile you were giving me now?

How?

"Promise me, you'll find a way to be happy without me. Promise me you'll love again, you'll live, and you won't cry yourself to sleep every night." You reached for my face, wiping my tears. "Promise me."

I held your hand tight. Our rings, entwined—even if our fate were meant to stray away from each other. A bitter goodbye waving by the door.

I sobbed against your palm. Cold. It's seeping through my bones, curling itself around my breaking heart. Squeezing painfully.

"I love you, Solara." But your wish, is my command.

I promised you, I would follow you wherever you go. I did that. You asked me to break it—even if it would kill me, I will. You want me to promise I'd stay...

... as long as I can.

"I promise." I was carving you in my memory. In every crevices of my brain. Knowing well enough that soon, I won't remember the warmth of your lips and your presence. I won't remember the sound of your laughter or how your eyes crinkle when you do. I could even forget the silly smile you were wearing.

It's killing me.

"And I love you too." I kissed your smiling lips.

Cold and bitter.

"I'll hold on to your promise."

And then you left.

7 minutes, I kept holding your hand.

In your wakeless sleep, I hope you dream of me. That I become a part of the last 7 minutes of your life, replaying the best memories you lived with me.

Because, yes. You will be my last 7 minutes one day. It might not be now, but you will be.

As I was sitting there replaying our life like a bitter-sweet movie, wearing a distant smile, your laughter echoing in my ears and your smile at the front of my mind...

I can't help but wish that a part of you still stick with me even after you were gone.

"Please, stay with me." #

© astaire_grey

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(Credits to the owner of the photo)