In the Stars

  She looked up at the twinkling stars. So bright and beautiful. In the city you couldn’t see the stars. Oh, no. The only twinkling lights would be of the street lamps or the open bar. The beauty exists only in the wilderness where little can taint the effect of the sky. Sure the city can be beautiful but in her eyes nothing compared to this. To the smell of pines or earth and everything nature can provide. That is why she bought a home away from home. A place where she can relax and admire nature’s beauty. The sight was embedded deep in her memory since the day she went house hunting and she knew she had to get it. She never regretted spending the couple hundred thousand. She had more than that.

   Money isn’t everything. She also knew that from the beginning. But it helped her live a comfortable life. The one thing money can’t buy is happiness. It’s true. But her journey brought her someone. Someone special that reciprocated the love. So she felt happy.

Why did she feel happy but feel sadness at the same time?

A cold hand grasped her heart and she felt like crying. Something has got to be wrong.

She shifted on the blanket laid out on the perfectly cut green grass. At the same time she heard a rustle coming from the side of the house. She quickly sat up and squinted through the darkness. Before she could speak a familiar figure appeared and in an instant stood a mere foot from her.

Her face transformed and she grinned widely at him.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were in Vancouver?”

You could see the love and admiration in her eyes. She didn’t miss the sadness in his eyes or the way he turned his head to not look into her eyes.

Before she could ask what was wrong he spoke, “I came to say goodbye.” His smile was sad yet loving.

Her smile vanished and a small frown replaced it, “Goodbye? But you just got here.” She gently laughed but could feel the cold hand holding tighter around her heart.

“I’m leaving,” He knelt down on the blanket next to her, “But this time I won’t come back.” He gently laid a hand on her cheek. But to her it feel like a cold feather tickling her.

“I don’t understand. Where are you going? Why aren’t you coming back?” Her eyes welled up with tears as she tried to understand the meaning behind his words.

“I’m sorry I’m leaving but I don’t know exactly where I’m going. And it wasn’t my choice either.” He wiped a tear from her cheek, “Don’t cry, beautiful.”

“Why are you leaving?” She choked back a sob, “I love you.”

He nestled her in his arms, “I love you too baby. I love you so much.”

He felt like a pillow, an abnormally soft pillow as if she’d slip through his embrace.

“I’m going to miss you baby but when I’m gone I don’t want to see you cry. Because I’ll be watching you,” He looked up at the stars then back at her, “Just like the stars. I’ll always be there even if you can’t see me.”

She didn’t feel reassured by his words but still soaked them into her memory.

“You can’t leave me alone. I want to spend my life with you, in your arms.”

He smiled up at the night sky “Whenever you’re feeling lonely, look up to the stars and know that I’m with you, where ever I am.”

He slowly put space between them. The sadness on her face made him want to hold her. Really hold her.

“I still don’t understand.” Her voice came out in a whisper as she saw him moving further away from her. He finally stood and she did too. The tears still streamed down her face.

“You will, soon.” His gaze fixated on her beautiful face. He gently cupped her face in his hands, leaned forward and planted a feather kiss on her cheek.

“I’m going to love you forever,” His sad smile turned into a broad smile, “And I know you will be alright. Everything will be alright.”

She didn’t know what to say. She felt numb but a tiny spark of hope lit in her heart at his last words. Because he seemed so sure.

“I love you.”

“I love you too. Forever.” With a smile he slowly walked away towards the darkness of the woods. He glanced back at her and she blinked back the tears. She wanted to know why he was smiling but leaving. Then he was gone. In a blink of an eye, he was gone. Vanished. As if he didn’t just break her heart.

The next day, just like he said, she understood. He’s really gone. The only reassurance she had was the stars. When she looked up at them, it was as if he never left. Because he’s always there, looking down at her. “Forever.”