The Man That Got Away (Short Story)

The Man That Got Away

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are gray
You’ll never know dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away~”
As I sang this very last line, my tears fell down while my eyesight is stuck in nowhere.

“Honey, it’s time to give your speech.” My mother-in-law whispered to my ear that made me realize what was going on.

“Oh yeah! I’m sorry mom.” I smiled slightly then wiped my tears away. I put down my guitar then faced the crowd. “Good evening everyone, thank you for coming to my husband’s last night funeral. Earlier, the song that I sang was our theme song. Time flew very fast and I still can’t believe that our relationship ended tragically.” I chuckled a bit to lighten my feelings.

“By the way, my husband Eric was a very thoughtful, kind and loving husband. Hey Eric, my love, if you’re listening, it always seems like we have everything in the world all the time, only to understand how fleeting it really is. I wish we had more time to do and say the stuff we saved for later that are gone forever along with you. I pledge to keep you alive in my memories. You've been more than just a husband. God has now a precious and loving friend and partner, the one we have lost. Even the angels of death may regale your company and make them smile. Rest in peace. I love you, my love. I always will.” Everyone cried sorrowfully. I held my tears still. I go back to my chair while everyone is crying so much. ‘I shouldn’t cry because Eric will be mad’ That’s what I’m thinking and the reason why I can’t cry so much.

Eric and I met in a wedding of my elder sister. He is a wedding singer and a friend of my elder sister. I noticed that when he was singing on that day, I always caught his eyes pierced to mine. He approached me after the reception. We dated for 6 months and been in a relationship for 1 year and after that we got married. We are like any other normal couples we have chain tattoos on our wrist that symbolizes infinity. We’ve been married for 5 years. He was been always a caring and loving husband.

“Hello love? I’m on my way home. I have something for you.” Eric said from the other line excitedly.

“Really?! I missed you so much love, I can’t wait to hug and kiss you” I cried out of excitement.

“Love please don’t cry. I’ll be home soon. I’m half way there, okay? I love you.” Eric said to me.

“I love you too! I’ll wait for you.” I said happily while eating mango in front of the television.

10 minutes after he ended the call, my phone rang again but it wasn’t him. I didn’t know that it will be the last call that I will receive from him. Eric died from a car accident. He fell from a cliff half way to our house. It made my whole world crushed as they say that Eric was dead.

“Hey Honey, we saw this thing from Eric’s car. Please be brave and be healthy. Your baby should be healthy too. We all know that Eric loves you both. Please be strong.” My mother-in-law uttered while giving me a small gift box and sober after her crying. She then kissed my forehead and touched the bump in my tummy.

I opened the small gift box that made me burst into tears like a child who didn’t get what I want. There is a three different size necklaces that has an infinity symbol.
There was a written note.

“I love you from infinity and beyond
-Eric”

Eric is my man, my one and only, the love of my life, my partner and my only bestfriend. Eric is my man that got away.

"To you my one and only Eric, in another place and time, you were infinitely mine. I'll wait for you till our paths will cross again. In another life. I love you too from infinity and beyond.

-Honey"