Coming back

I hung under the green arch of trees near the backyard of my house. A touch of sadness went through me as I watched the young boy playing with his ball. I could never play like that or feel the rush of youth through my veins again.

Looking up, he smiled briefly at me. He might have been around eight or nine. He passed the ball and I ducked, causing the ball to hit a young birch tree. He frowned quizzically and retrieved the ball.

It has been ten years since I visited my house. I wavered hesitatingly near the gate, not sure if I wanted to go in. I decided to go in. The rubble-filled path felt strange to my feet. The house was familiar to me as my face. Yet I knew, now that I was going in, things would be different.   

The house was empty. I glided through the different rooms, marveling at the different changes. My parents looked older; my brother was grown up and had a wife and a daughter. Mesmerized I went up to my room.

I was swept by a wave of nostalgia. It was neat, contrary to the way when I lived there. Other than that, nothing much had changed. Suddenly, a noise startled me. I came out of the room. Looking down from the stairway, I saw Elian.

He looked much more handsome than he was when I left him ten years back. The black hair was voluminous and untidier than before and the piercing hazel eyes had a depth that I had not seen before. Seeing the platinum band on his finger, I felt a pang of sadness. He was engaged, but his eyes told me that it was not the same with the other woman as it had been with me.

Picking up a huge bouquet of cosmos flowers, he went to the backyard. Kneeling, he crossed himself and placed them on my grave.

Closing his eyes, he said quietly, I love you Aliara.

Behind him, I whispered, I love you Elian.