I love…

There she was. Her naked body covered with a light green blanket. She could breathe no more. Everybody was telling him to leave, but he didn’t mean to. He couldn’t decide a moment that was right enough for him to see Sheila no more.

He slowly breathed in and out, sticking his nose to her neck. She still smelled like herself. He recalled the night before, when she still was alive.

FLASHBACK

- Dear, life’s like this. We’re not immortal. I am glad I lived long enough to meet you.

- But we still have many things to do…don’t leave, not now. I won’t be able to go on. 

-  You will, I beg you.

-Sheila…

- It’s not fair, Gavin, I know. But you must be thankful for all our years.

- I am, it’s only that I’m not… not ready yet.

- Neither am I.
END FLASHBACK

She looked paler than ever that night. Anytime she spoke she ended up panting and breathless. From the very first moment the doctor told them the diagnosis they knew she wouldn’t make it. It was far too late when they realized that she was ill. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. It had no cure. There was nothing to be done.

And this is how it had ended. It was the most foreseeable ending ever. As raw as death was.

He shook her dead body.

- Sheila, wake up! It’s time to leave! Sheila! Sheila!! Please, please, wake up… My dearest princess, why won’t you answer? Why won’t you open your eyes?- He cried. Tears welled up. Suddenly thje door opened. Gavin was found by his friends shaking and crying onto her corpse. They took him away from the room, ignoring his screams. He couldn’t understand why they were taking him from Sheila. It was clear that she was going to wake up, wasn’t it? She was flawless, as if she was only sleeping. The lack of breathing and heartbeats meant nothing.

Outside some white-dressed men waited. They told him that they would take him somewhere where he could see Sheila anytime. He grinned and followed these men happily, ignoring the tight grip of their hands on his arms.