They stood staring at each other, frozen in time. memories flashed in front of her eyes like a colorful kaleidoscope. she though of the trips they had planned together, of the endless discussions they had on science, society, literature and morality, on the friendship that turned into a deep love for each other where there were no promises made, no grandiose declarations uttered. just a tacit understanding of their mutual need for each other.
Glimpses of their times together flashed before her eyes like someone was sifting through the pages of a book. she stood with her luggage, in a foreign land, surrounded by the noisy din of the airport, looking at the only face that was known to her, now almost a stranger's face. the face she had grown to love for six years. she could see the wrinkles beside his eyes when he smiled. she could no longer meet the gaze because she was scared that he could see right through her. see that she was miserable without him, that she was trying to restart her life without him, that she was broken and lost and hurt.
She pulled her jacket close to her, as if trying to protect herself from the effect he still had on her. she decided she would not let him see that. she would wear a bright and happy expression on her face. she did not know who the subterfuge was for. for herself ? for him ? he the had wanted to go and she had no choice but to let him. she owed that much to him. perhaps this was the only way she could repay his friendship, support and love over the six years.
She searched his face to find some answers that she knew she would never get. she had to accept the decision that he had made for the two of them. she had been prepping herself for this moment since the last twenty-three hours in the flight. she thought she could do this. but one look at his face and she realized she was back to square-one. she had not moved-on. not one inch. but for now, she thought of what Nat King Cole sang..
"Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile"
No, she would not fall apart in front of him. not here. so she threw her head back, squared her shoulders and put on her smile and greeted him.
The tears and the pain, they would come later and assail her.
Glimpses of their times together flashed before her eyes like someone was sifting through the pages of a book. she stood with her luggage, in a foreign land, surrounded by the noisy din of the airport, looking at the only face that was known to her, now almost a stranger's face. the face she had grown to love for six years. she could see the wrinkles beside his eyes when he smiled. she could no longer meet the gaze because she was scared that he could see right through her. see that she was miserable without him, that she was trying to restart her life without him, that she was broken and lost and hurt.
She pulled her jacket close to her, as if trying to protect herself from the effect he still had on her. she decided she would not let him see that. she would wear a bright and happy expression on her face. she did not know who the subterfuge was for. for herself ? for him ? he the had wanted to go and she had no choice but to let him. she owed that much to him. perhaps this was the only way she could repay his friendship, support and love over the six years.
She searched his face to find some answers that she knew she would never get. she had to accept the decision that he had made for the two of them. she had been prepping herself for this moment since the last twenty-three hours in the flight. she thought she could do this. but one look at his face and she realized she was back to square-one. she had not moved-on. not one inch. but for now, she thought of what Nat King Cole sang..
"Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you
Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile"
No, she would not fall apart in front of him. not here. so she threw her head back, squared her shoulders and put on her smile and greeted him.
The tears and the pain, they would come later and assail her.
