Layla kissed him again. She took his arm and they went outside the train. Dan know that she is starting to take in the reality of this impossibility. That this is not a mere dream.
"How did you found a way to come back?"
"You are a ghost right?"
"I have to tell mom."
"I am not crazy right?
She kept asking and asking with her elated tone. But Dan still can’t find his voice. I am not a ghost, he want to answer. I am real. In my world, it’s you who died.
They went outside and he see the first glimpse of the sun.
He can’t believe it. This girl in front of him is his biggest ‘what if’. The what if Layla survived and I don’t?
He lost count how much he thought what would she looked like if she’s still alive. He lost count how much he wished that the situation will be reversed.
In that plane crash, it was either both of them die, or he die. He wasn’t prepared for the option three. He did not wished to be alive. He only wished for her survival.
And this is the world where his wish was granted. This girl, eight years older than him, is the girl who survived the accident.
Suddenly, he felt happy and he hugged her.
"I miss you so much."
"You too." She said, smiling.
They were together again, finally reunited.
She went for her pocket and, picked up what looked liked a paper thin phone. She dialed something and Dan recognized the picture that pops out. Stella, her mother.
Ten years and still, she would tell her mom everything.
"Mom, mom! You wouldn’t believe it. Danny is with me. No no, I’m not kidding this time. He’s real. No, don’t send him . I told you I’m okay. Ugh.” She hang up after, looking somewhat angry.
She still looked irritated and she puff air from her cheeks. Dan laughed and he said, “You know she won’t believe you. I’m dead right?”
She flashed him a hurt look.
"I know you would go away. You’re time is short here, right? I know, I know, you can’t tell me anything. The stars must be just granting my wish right? It was only for a short time, I know.", she said almost to herself, "Please, if you would go again, tell me okay." she added in a more serious tone.
Her eyes is now welling up with tears and Dan realized that wishing for a reversed situation before is a bad thing. She was in pain like him. Ten years had passed and she was still hurt.
And right then, he knew she deserved the truth. He would tell her everything.
"We need to talk." He said.
"Let’s go to a restaurant? yeah? Let’s eat your favorite? It’s my treat."
"It’s a little early, Layla. Let’s go to your place? Do you live in an apartment or something?"
"No" She said almost too fast. "Not my apartment, let’s just," She struggled to come up with anything, "The amusement park? The one we always go to before?"
Something is up, he know. But he is willing to brush it all off just to spend time with her.
"It’s still there? Nothing much has changed huh?"
"Yes. But they have more rides. We would be there by ten, I think. The park is open by then" She said while looking at her watch.
"Wow, that’s fast. Usually it’s an eight hour drive."
YOU ARE READING
Ad Astra- To The Stars
RomanceDan would go to extreme measures to be with his love again. But when he indeed found her, it was in the world where she seems to be the total opposite from what he remembered and loved. Like a stranger with the same face. But even so he won't waste...
