Melisa touched my cheek, kissed me. I kissed her back. Her hands went to my waist, and my hands went to her shoulder-length hair. We were kissing, pausing to catch our breath, then continuing.
Only the sound of our breaths could be heard.
She looked at me,
"For some reason, I have a feeling we've missed each other so much." she said.
"I also feel like that." I said.
(Before Leo and Melisa had married, 4 years ago,)
It had been exactly one year since Melisa lost her family and started this cursed habit.
Everything had changed so much. From our communication to Melisa's personality, so many changes had occurred. Yet, I still couldn't give her up.
One day, I took her to a nice restaurant. Then we went to the beach. Just as the sun was setting, I proposed to her. She started crying,
—"Can you accept someone like me...?" she cried. I hugged her and said,
—"Melisa. No matter what you do, I'll still accept you."
She jumped on me. We both fell onto the sand.
Suddenly, a wave hit and soaked us both. But we didn't care. We were smiling.
She promised me then, again, that she wouldn't use those bad things again. But she only kept her promise for a month.
(A few weeks ago)
I was at the hospital. I was working. Even though I was 27, I was still working as an assistant because I'd taken a year off from school. We were mostly just running around doing the work our superiors gave us. Just like a normal employee.
Suddenly, the doctors gathered in one place. There was a bit of chaos. When I went there to find out what was happening, I saw those familiar black hairs, even from a distance. I approached.
I overheard their conversation:
—Is she unidentified?
—Yes. She didn't have anyone with her. Those who did this to her probably ran away to avoid trouble.
—Doesn't this girl have a bag or anything?
—There was no wallet inside. It was probably stolen.
He said.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I didn't want to believe it.
My colleague, noticing my gaze, asked:
—Do you recognize her?
—She is Melisa…my wife!
I said. I held Melisa's hand tightly. And,
—"Where are you taking her?" "What are you going to do! Take me too!"
I asked.
My professor arrived.
—Leo, step aside. Let them handle their business.
He said.
—But professor! I can't leave her here!
—I know... Look. Listen to me. You go now. I'm giving you permission to go home for today. You can't continue with your work with this mindset. Sit and wait for me. I'll explain everything to you when the time comes.
—What will happen to her?!
—I'll go and find out myself... Don't panic, wait for me.
As they took Melisa away on a stretcher, they slammed the door in my face.
I went and sat on a nearby bench and waited for her helplessly. Another commotion arose,
I saw the chief physician once more. He came to me and said,
—Is your wife pregnant?
—"No... I don't know."
—"Apparently so."
—You can save Melisa, right?
—You probably have a guess as to why Melisa is here…It's most likely related to the substances she's taken. Taking that into account, I don't know…I'll do everything I can, okay? Try to stay calm.
—Please…I beg you, save her. I don't know what I'll do without her.
—I'll try. I don't think she'll made it. Prepare yourself for the worse.
(Today,Leo's point of view.)
Melisa was lying next to me, her face turned towards me. I flicked her forehead right in the middle.
"—Ow! What was that for?"
—"For not keeping your promise."
—"I'm sorry. You know how I am. It's like every feels time I take those things, it like my family never died. And I can't let go of that feeling."
—"Why can't you choose me, Melisa? I was so sorry for your family. You know I was devastated too."
—"You weren't sorry. You were even happy. You were happy that I'm alive… I don't blame you for that. In fact, the fact that someone is happy that I'm alive means a lot to me. But I… I can't! I can still hear my little sister calling out to me! I can see their bodies being torn apart right before my eyes! I waited there, in that car wreckage, for 40 minutes! My eyes were open! I saw them all! I couldn't get out of there!"
It felt like they were holding me by my legs… I prayed so much that it wouldn't be real, but it was all in vain!
Her eyes filled with tears, at least three drops falling from one eye at once. I hugged her.
—I'm here for you.
—What wouldn't I give to be with them for just one more day…
—I know. Melisa, the only thing you don't understand is this: How are they your family? You are my family too. I have no one else in this world but you. Have mercy on me…
—I knew Lara had my necklace. I realized she was going to clean the inside of it. I could have taken it from her right then… But I hesitated. I think I was thinking about you. I was thinking about our future, not the past for the first time.
—Everything will be alright. It will be so, so beautiful. It's only been 2-3 years since it happened. Not that long. It's normal that you can't get over it. Now, when we get back, we'll go to therapy together…
—Okay…
I had offered this a few times. She never accepted it. Even her acceptance now was a huge thing for me.
Could everything really be alright?