Have a great day!
Goodbye my love, goodbye
The song replayed in her head repeatedly, the lyrics haunting her as she pushed her way through the crowd. The words echoed in her head as the singer’s naturally deep voice mournfully sang to the melancholic tune.
“Whoever said that love was easy? Whoever said that life was easy?
It’s all a game, a broken game, where you love me and then leave me.”
Meredith's grey eyes filled with tears. She shook her head and continued to push her way across the throng of passengers. For some strange reason, it seemed to her that everyone was going in the opposite direction. Perhaps, she should desist; let him go without a final goodbye. No. The song went along her tattered emotions, the lyrics seemingly describing her situation.
“Whoever said that love was easy? Whoever said that life was easy?
Goodbye, goodbye, my love. Every hello becomes a goodbye...”
She had to make it past the throng of people into another train before the flight left, and before she lost her chance to say goodbye, forever. Finally, the crowd thinned as the train arrived into the station. She ran, bursting through the doors at the last moment, her heart in her throat. Meredith reclined against the closed doors. She closed her eyes, catching her breath and allowing the cool metal to freshen her skin. She was closer. Inevitably, she thought back to their last conversation.
“Meredith, I’m leaving.”
“What?” she looked up from her books, her eyes wide.
“I’ve had a job offer in New Zealand and I’ve accepted it.”
“And when are you leaving?”
“In a week.”
“And you were thinking of telling me, when?” She screamed at him. The idea of one of them leaving had always been there but she never expected for it to really happen.
“I’m telling you now, aint I?”
“And you expect me to be happy about this?” Yes, when they started dating there had been that possibility. They were young, barely starting out in that difficult path called life, but she had always thought that love would prevail. She always believed that when one of them moved, the other would follow.
“I expect you to accept it and to enjoy our last week together. I expected us to live this week to the limit.”
“Fuck you.”
“Meredith, why are you so angry, you knew—“
She left before he could finish. She left with angry tears in her eyes and without looking back. She left without saying goodbye.
He called her everyday, without fault. She ignored all his calls, erasing the messages before hearing them. She ignored all of it, until, early this morning. He called her one last time to say goodbye. It broke her. She didn’t stop to think. She grabbed her keys, her coat, her cell phone and hurried to the nearest subway station.
The train rolled to a stop and she numbly stumbled out, pulling out her earphones. She ran towards the nearest flight panel, looking at the ugly letters of departures, tears blinding her vision. Panic started to seize her. What if she couldn’t find him? What if she didn’t say goodbye? What if she never told him how much she loved him and how sorry she was? With trembling fingers, she pulled out her phone. He picked up on the second ring.
“Meredith, I—“
“Derek, please, where are you? I’m at the airport I need to see you, I—“
“You’re where? I’m at Gate A. Meredith, I—“
“I’m coming--“
“Meredith—“
She hung up and ran. She reached the gate in record time, her breath stilted, her heart frantic and torn at the prospect of saying goodbye one last time. Yet, now that the moment was upon her, she was strangely calm. Goodbye would hurt but she also knew that had he remained for her, she would never have forgiven herself. Goodbye was the best way, and perhaps some day they would meet again. Perhaps some day, their goodbye would turn into a hello and another cycle would begin… Large hands grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. Warm, well-known lips found hers. Passion, longing, apologies and forgiveness, everything was spun into that embrace. His hands lowered to her waist, pressing her sharply into his arms, allowing her to experience for one last time the warmth of his body against hers. His tongue probed deeper, licking every crevice of her mouth. Her tongue responded, fiercely dancing along his, relishing its last taste. They stopped for air and Meredith took in his haggard appearance. Dark circles lined his eyes, and his usual smiling mouth was grim.
“Derek.” She whispered his name, cupping his cheek to feel the smoothly shaved surface. A glimmer of tears appeared in his eyes and he closed them, hiding them from her view.
“Meredith—“
“I’m sorry, Derek. I shouldn’t have left like that. I’ve been a fool. We both knew this moment would come and—“
“Meredith, please, let me speak.” Derek looked into her eyes imploringly, shutting her up instantly.
“You haven’t heard any of my messages, have you?” He asked with a sad smile.
Meredith shook her head. She glanced at the floor, shame burning her cheeks. Derek reached out and lifted her head.
“I should have gone to see you. I’m sorry. I love you, honey. It’s as simple as that. I know life and love aren’t easy, but I want to try and make it compatible. It’ll take some getting used to but maybe we could try long distance while I search for a new job, here, at home, with you. Meredith, I don’t want to leave you.”
His voice broke and a fresh bout of tears rolled freely down Meredith’s cheeks. She flung herself into Derek’s arms. Her bones cracked slightly as he embraced her hard, afraid to let release her.
“Of course, I’ll accept long distance and I’ll look for jobs in New Zealand… I—I want to be with you, Derek, I love you. I’ve been an idiot, I—“
“Then, we’ll find a way, Meredith. We’ll find a way.”
Meredith nodded. She smiled as Derek kissed her. Hope, love, a possible future. The taste of one hello turning into a goodbye and one goodbye turning into a hello.
This week's Briefer's:
Love the ending! Good job! Very sweet, but you had me worried there lol
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful! Loved it.
ReplyDeleteOooh that was SO tense and sweet and I LOVED the ending
ReplyDeleteAwe, how sweet.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your comments :D I'm happy you guys liked it. Maybe I'll have to write more often when I'm in a bad mood, hehe
ReplyDelete