The Collision Theory of Love

16 | Opening up

[Robert]

"Hello!" Daniel greets us while looking intently in Katherine's direction.

"Hi." She reciprocates calmly, then turning away to me she mentions, "I think I know the topic of our assignment. I'll make the rough draft and e-mail you."

I smile in appreciation.

"Looks like we have got each other's roommates as partners.", I respond to Daniel, "See you at the dorm, brother!"

After bidding farewell, I move out of the door.

"Robert!" Katherine calls me from behind, making me standstill on the stairs. She walks towards me with a content glow on her face and embraces me. For the spilled second, I am taken off guard.

Her hug is warm, like momentary salvation against the bitter cruelty of death. For the first time in months, I feel the comfort I have been looking for. Everything around her falls to darkness. I put my arms around her tiny waist, nuzzling my face in her neck. I sense the vulnerability fading away with her touch. "Thank you!" She whispers in my ear and plants a gentle kiss on my cheeks.

***

I lie awake in my bed, thinking. Daniel hasn't returned yet. Maybe he's at Katherine's place. I immediately get rid of this thought as it makes me feel a little uncomfortable.

I can't shake off the feeling I have while being around her. I try to deny it, but around here everything seems different. Today, after sharing my insights, I feel utterly at peace. My heart feels lighter. Somewhere, I also feel like I am defying Shelby for letting someone in. My mind keeps running back and forth across the time I got to spend with Katherine this evening.

My eyelids feel heavy - too heavy and my limbs barely function. Gradually I drift off.

I am holding Shelby's hand, begging her to stay. I am crying. She wipes away my tear, "Forgive me for leaving you in between. But believe me someday you will find the one who will love you. Just give it a chance! Just give yourself a chance. Don't push it away!" her voice is labored. I watch the light fading away from her eyes as her breathing gets shallow. I kiss her hand, feeling her skin growing cold against my lips. I cannot comprehend that she's gone. Never again I will see her smile and happy. Never again she will try to act pissed at me, hiding away her wink. I wish her to wake up. I cry harder, holding her body close to my chest which is asleep forever.

I jolt up in the bed with the remnants of the nightmare I just had. My limbs flex in shock and I am sweating profusely. I try to go back to sleep, but the nagging sensation in my mind stops me from drifting off. So instead I lay back with my head on the pillow, looking at the ceiling for hours.

My cell phone rings as it receives a message. Then it falls on me, today's the day. For months I have been thinking about how would I cope with the day!

It's Shelby's first death anniversary...