The Heaven's Express

1. Max

Choo Choooo

Maya hears a distinct train horn, suddenly realising where she was and for what purpose she was here.

She was here to drop him off.

Her 2 year old golden retreiver.

All of sudden it was like a sudden splash of ice cold water.

He is leaving her.

After giving her 2 years worth of joy and memories and unlocking a part of her soul that she was sure didn't exist, he was leaving her all alone.

She knew this had to done.

This was the only way she could ensure that he'd end up where he belonged. Heaven

She was sure that even "heaven" wasn't the right place for something as  pure as the soul like his.

But this was something that had to be done.

Bid one last bitter goodbye.

Hoping that when she dies, she'll end up in heaven, just to be with him. Or atleast even if she did go to hell, she would know that he is somewhere safe and that she would stand a chance to meet him before she enters the so called gateways of hell.

Chooo choooo

This time she heard the Heaven's Express even closer than before.

She quickly dismissed her thoughts and a feeling of void settling in her heart and looked down.

He was just there. Laying in her arms, staring at her, absorbing his best friend's features before he was gone.

He knew it was time to go.

He knew that it's best if he went, despite his strong urges to stay.

He knew that if he didn't leave now, then she was just going to have extra worries.

He couldn't stand her tears that were continously flowing down her beautiful face.

He wanted to lick it all. One last time.

He wanted to stay.

Maya now could hear the station master announcing that the train Heaven's Express would leave in 15 minutes and it was time for a final adieu.

She hadn't realised that he was looking at her.

She knew that he hated her sad, so she plastered a big gigantic smile on her face so that he didn't worry about her in his last moments.

For a two year old, he surely was heavy. She sat flat on the ground, with his weak body in her lap.

She started giving him his  belly rubs and ear scratches.

She started showering him with kisses and caresses.

She know could feel a huge sob trying to break out of the throat. But she held her smile. For him.

A dull ache now was slowly settling into her heart. She knew it was just going to get worse from now on.

Her initial shock now wearing off, and instead dread and loneliness started seeping in.

She knew nothing was going to be same now.

She knew that her best friend wasn't going to be there for her for when she returned from her classes.

She knew that a coldness was now going to greet her in her equally cold home. The same home which hadn't so much as felt a shiver in the past two years.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is the captain of The Heaven's Express speaking, we kindly advise you all to place your pets in their designated spot and have faith in us and him that they'll be happy and safe with us, till they see their best friends' again.

Maya gingerly placed his weakened body on his spot and stumbled back, as if she couldn't believe this was happening. No moment or future insight could help her prepare for this.

She had lost him two days ago.

Now she even lost his soul.

A part of her is never going to return.

He is never going to return.

He left her.

She hoped that the last 48 hours had been nothing but a lie.

But now losing him and hearing a last soft bark at her from her best friend, was all it took to break that hope.

She squatted down and left one last kiss on his forehead and ruffled his coat.

In response, he did pressed his face onto her hand and gave her one last lick. Assuring her that everything will eventually be okay.

She took a step back, keeping a steady eye on him.

He watched her leave.

He sniffled and hoped she would come with him, but even he knew that, it was lie.

He had assured him, that all of them travellers of The Heaven Express were to meet their best friends' when the time is right.

He let out one last bark, wuff, saying his goodbye with a tender lick on her face. But this time she didn't laugh nor did she tell him to stop.

She whispered in a shaky voice that Its fine and that they'll meet again when the time's right and till then it was a see you soon.

She knew she was consoling herself and that there was no way her life is going to be the same again.

She smiled and left the train and in just seconds a horn went off.

Without a warning, steam started rising and she knew, it was time.

It was time she says goodbye to him who stood by her, without judgments at all bloody times.

She was happy that he wasn't suffering or that he never will.

She was broken and sad because he left her alone. To deal with everything alone this time.

But this was no time to be selfish.

She smiled and quietly said "i love you max" and a steady stream of tears started flowing.

All she wished to do was break down right here and scream for him to return because she was too weak without him and that she needed him, but her numbness got to her first. She knew the upcoming days weren't easy and that her healing process was no way near the start, but all she felt was a big hole in her life, a void, a feeling of sudden loneliness that she had forgotten for a long time, only for it to return. She shaked her head and tried and collected herself.

The train with its heavy steam, disappeared into thin air, taking away that one special part of her that was never to be returned again.

She knows she is no where near okay but she also knew that he was in a better place.

Somewhere much happier.

With one last look at the people around, who were undeniably just like her. Grieving.

She left, whispering "Goodbye Max" and letting the words be carried away by the air.