Nearby a tree's fresh leaves, bright green and refreshing under the burning blue sky, shaded from any casually searching eyes the maker of a most joyous melody flowing through the sounds of normal street traffic. The sweet song from unseen poured into her ears but wasn't consciously observed by her mind. Birds weren't of much interest right now-- not that she didn't adore them. It's just that her attention was focused on the one she loved and had been with for two years to the day.
They had officiated their relationship on a day much like this. The light, barely noticed breeze added to the joyous, warm atmosphere. Long before that day both had realised that they REALLY liked each other. Long before those few words had they entertained romantic thoughts and desires along with the fears of sharing those with each other. They were just friends-- Friends, until he put his arm around her that day in the park and whispered to her, himself slightly nervous and gazing with searching eyes into her beautiful soul, that he had long felt a strong emotion toward her and could no longer hide it. And as she looked down, blushing and smiling, she knew she couldn't do anything but tell him that she shared the same sentiments.
He had been acting unusually giddy in recent weeks. Knowing him so well, she couldn't help but notice and wonder. She entertained ideas that he would propose on this day-- in fact, she felt fairly sure of it. And she was sure he'd think it would be a most surprising, unexpected thing if he would do it today. Of course, she would feign surprise-- although, she may be so blown away that joy would overcome her. But if he wouldn't do it today, she'd be just fine, because she had him and he had her. And life was as beautiful as could be.
They sat outside a small restaurant. An ornate wrought-iron fence gave little privacy between them and the street beyond. The young green maple outstretched its arms toward the sky where a warm sun shone down and illuminated their faces like he illuminated her life. They had just finished their meal, and the thought once more crossed her mind. Is he going to do it today...? She couldn't help but smile at the thought as they chatted idly and happily. It had been a most wonderful two years, and she hoped to have many, many more with him.
The road had constant traffic down it as this was the business district. Numerous small restaurants, shops, and businesses lined the well-maintained street. Across from them, the tall, all brick courthouse, with carved marble figures depicting justice and peace near the very top, stood as it had for many decades. The figures of justice had seen much over the years. Every parade. Every passer-by. Every protest. And if they were alive and omniscient, they would see every happy thought pouring through the minds of the young couple.
Coming down the road toward the happy scene was a white van with whited-out windows and rust beginning to eat away at the base of the vehicle. It wasn't much to look at. Just a normal utility van. Plain and disinteresting in every way. Just another vehicle in the daily flowing throng.
The waiter came and gave him the bill. Soon, the bill paid, her lover suggested a nice stroll in the park to enjoy the most beautiful day. Inside, a lightly flutter of joy arose in her. She felt that this had to be the day. Her red lips parted in a big smile and she slipped her hand into his as they got up to walk toward the park.
Just a few steps from the table, the bird's song was drowned out by the screaming of rubber on concrete and a piercing car horn. The couple spun around as every head turned toward the commotion and a brilliant orange-red light flashed to life. The sound was deafening. Like a long peel of thunder bouncing off every wall, the sound tore through eardrums just as the ball of fire and shrapnel tore through flesh and brick.
She shrilled and attempted to shield herself as she violently turned away. He moved to protect her with his body, but shards of the van wall tore into him and the blast of air knocked them to the white concrete floor. A cloud of fire rushed over them and the whole scene as glass rained down like hail from the buildings in the immediate area. The cloud of fire dissipated into the air and left its black mark of hate upon everything it had torched.
Her hair smouldered like the charred table cloths still clinging to overturned tables; blood began to seep from wounds and be absorbed by the once white poured concrete they now lay on. People inside the restaurant cried out in pain from the shards of glass impaling their flesh. Unconscious, she could not hear this. And, even if she could, her attention would have been on only one thing: the one she loved whose unmoving body lay partially draped over hers.
The last debris fell-- leaves from the splintered young maple tree drifting down with gravity. The joyous song bird no longer sung its tune and was nowhere to be seen. The scene was chaos, with moaning victims being tended to by the few terrified and confused citizens who ran not away from, but toward, the disaster site. Anguished cries of pain, physical and emotional, began to erupt by victim and onlooker as the first distant siren erupted and mixed with the screaming fire alarms inside the hall of justice blown open by hateful people.
There was no more road traffic; it all stood still for that moment before cars would go up in flames as fire reached fuel and chemical within them. And where the terrorist detonated the bomb, there was no more road-- just a shallow, shattered crater with the twisted undercarriage of the utility van still sitting on four burning tires as smoke twisted up in a writhing dance of agony toward the burning blue sky.
The most joyful day had turned tragic as dozens of people lay dead or injured; some blown apart, some burned, some crushed by debris, and many impaled by splintered remains of what was just moments before.
And the engagement ring that was sent flying out of his shirt pocket lay just a few feet away gleaming in the sun.
She was right. Today was to be the day.
Live each day like it's your last. We really don't know what tomorrow will bring. A ring from a loved one, ringing of alarm bells, ringing blows of a hammer as you build something constructive, or the bells ringing in the Church where your funeral will be held.
