Saying goodbye...

He came home that evening, pensive and strangely anxious. The family did not make much of it, but she knew. She knew it was going to happen soon. She was living with them ever since her parents moved away. Her father had been transfered on work and she had another year of college to go. He'd rather she stay at their place, his best friend's house, than shack up in some hostel. So her home for the past six months and the rest of the year would be this one, where she met him, the love of her life. Suddenly coming home to do school work was more exciting than ever. She hung out less with her friends at university and spent more time watching evening television with the family and of course, him. But there was always fear. At the back of her mind she knew they would call one day and he'd have to go. He would have to answer to his country and do the right thing. He knew that too and the one thing he dreaded most was telling her.

That night, after dinner, he asked to sit down with everyone, his parents, two sisters and her. He broke the news to them and held back as each of them expressed their shock and anger that he hadn't mentioned it when he first knew which was a week ago. He had to report the next day at noon and was telling them tonight. In his defence he said that he just couldn't deal with prolonging goodbyes and mounting anxiety. So he had decided to give them very short notice.

She was upset, but knew him too well to expect anything else. If anything, she knew that telling her was the hardest thing for him. So she said goodbye to him like everyone else did and went to bed as usual with his sisters, who she was sharing a room with.

That night, after everyone was asleep, she did something she had never done before. She snuck into his room as quietly as possible. At first, she just stood there for a while and watched him asleep. Then she slowly went near him and stroked her hand lovingly across his cherubic face. He always looked like a baby when he was asleep. He stirred immediately and looked up at her both sad and pleasantly surprised. As she began to speak, he pulled her closer to him and silenced her with a kiss. She got into the blaket with him and they hugged each other so tight, she began to cry. Desperately as she cried that night, she wished she could die right there in his arms, or never have to let him go.