Insouciance (In Editing)

half a world away

Hey.

It's been a while huh?
I finally got that internship in that medical school you've been dreaming of.
Are you proud of me?
I hope so.

You've always liked taking care of people.
Especially your mother.
She's doing fine by the way.
Her alcohol addiction has finally subsided.
I don't know how long it will last though.

I remember vaguely, the first time I walked in, drunk.
You slung my arm around you as I wobbled about.
Worry filled your eyes as you carried me to bed.
Next day, I woke up feeling so hangover.
Minty aromas suddenly filled the room.
Standing there with a cup of hot tea.
I downright loved your curls.
Freckles splattered across your face.
Grinning your teeth, "Good Morning," you greeted.

I'm sorry you had to take care of me so many times after.
I can take care of myself now.
I just wished I could've told you how I felt.
Every moment you took care of me.
I fell more in love every single time.
But I just couldn't.
I was afraid.
I didn't want to ruin what we had.
So I hid in the closet for a very long time.
But when I finally had the courage to, it was too late.

I remember that night, your Mom texted me saying you got into an accident.
I remember reading the text as I grabbed my coat and rushed to the hospital.
You were there.
Tubes sticking out of you, where fluids entered.
I walked over, seeing your Mom sob as I held your hand.
"I love you,"
I finally said.
You opened your eyes slowly.
Freckles still splattered across your face.
Those beautiful eyes met mine,
"I love you too,"
you replied, hand cupped my cheek.
"Promise me you'll get the internship
in that med school?"
you muttered, voice was gruff.
I nodded, tears soaking my eyes.
"Is it too late to love you even if I'm gone?"
"The living fall in love all the time, so why shouldn't the dead do the same?"
I responded, tears streaming down my face.
"I'm not dead," you objected,
"I'll just be half a world away."
Your hands drop from my face, lifelessly onto the cold hospital bed.
Eyes slowly came to a close,
"Until we meet again."

I brought you a bouquet as well.
Carnations, your favorite flowers.
I placed down the bouquet carefully on your grave.
I just know we'll meet again.
Someday.
I still feel you.

Always,

Even if now you're half a world away.

***†***

A/N

This is a prose I wrote for the writing contest that I'm joining! (super excited btw) It is actually my first time ever joining a writing contest and I sure hope I'll do well. (wish me luck guys haha)

The host/judge of this writing contest is GlowingTales! Check out her book called 'MELODY [Monthly Short Story Contest]' and read up on the rules and probably enter the contest yourself! Go check it out for more details!

Love people in your life and tell people you love or had sinned to your true feelings/apology. You never know when you now have the courage to do so but it's too late.

(purposely decided to not specify the gender of the characters so it can be either a gay or lesbian couple or any other couple in the LGBTQ+ community <3)

This is a whole lot different from my other works but it's special to me since it's the first ever full short story in the whole book! But I hope y'all like it though. :)

See you in the next!

~Phin