New Life

He knew that it was foolish to form any serious relationships, but
could not help the way he felt. She had come to him when he had first
arrived, when he needed a friend so desperately.
He had been trying to contact her for days and had become increasingly
concerned that he would not see her before he left. He thought of her
smiling face and realised that he may never see her again.
He recalled the moment he had told her that he was leaving, she had
seemed angry and upset. He did not want to leave her, but he knew that
he could not stay forever. It was the natural order of things and it
was inevitable that he had to leave. The village was nothing more than
a place to rest and prepare for the future, but it was not easy to
leave the comfort and security of old friends and familiar
surroundings.
He searched for her in the gardens where they used to stroll for hours
across the lush carpet of wild flowers. Time had always stood still for
them then; how strange that now, when he needed time, it seemed to run
so fast. He stood on the bridge and watched the waterfall for the last
time. The sun beat down upon his sorrow, and he knew that he was
alone.
There was an emptiness about him. The birds sang, the trees whispered
in the breeze, yet still he could not shake the overwhelming feeling of
silence; even the hissing of the waterfall seemed somehow
distant.
The sun hung low on the horizon as he left the bridge and followed the
river as far as the woods. Time had passed too quickly, and he could
delay no longer. He took the path to the main gate, even now hoping to
see her running across the grass towards him. He listened intently for
the sound of her voice calling his name, and the melancholy cry of the
crows mocked his suffering.
As he left the gardens and walked slowly down the hill towards his
destination, he thought that perhaps he could delay his departure,
after all, there were plenty of others who would gladly take his place.
There would be other chances to leave, and surely a few more days would
not matter very much. He thought about his future, but he knew that he
had worked long and hard for this day and it was useless to
delay.
As he approached the building, the sound of music and laughter grew
louder. This should have been an occasion to celebrate, yet he had
never felt less like celebrating. He took some comfort in the fact that
she would almost certainly be there to say good-bye, though he knew
that it would be difficult to talk. He smiled despite his sadness, and
assuming an air of confidence, strode boldly through the huge double
doors. The hall was crowded and the party was in full swing. The noisy
chatter of the crowd threatened to drown out the music. Andrew
recognised every one of the smiling faces that bore down on him as he
entered.
A thousand hands slapped his back and a thousand smiles reassured him.
This was the first and last birthday party of his short stay. Very soon
he would be gone, but the party would continue until the last guest had
left. He considered the clearing up; the empty glasses and spilled
wine, and was grateful at least that it was not his responsibility. He
scanned the room looking for her familiar smile, but could not pull
himself away from the countless guests who appeared to consider it
their duty to wish him well.
The noise was almost unbearable and he was more nervous than ever. He
had always hated being the centre of attention, yet he realised that he
should feel honoured. Soon it would all be over, and he knew that he
may never see any one of these faces again.
Out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of her. She was
standing against the far wall chatting to a good-looking young man. She
pretended that she had not noticed him, though she was acutely aware of
his presence in the room. He was the centre of attention, the guest of
honour. He fought his way through the crowds and made his way to where
she stood, smiling and chatting.
"Hi Pascale!", he said softly.
She turned, threw her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately;
he felt reassured. She had become almost part of him and he was going
to miss her warm smile and cool body.
She undraped her arms from around his neck and gestured towards her
companion.
"You don't know Christopher, do you?"
He shook his head, and offered his hand.
"No, I don't think that we've met. I'm Andrew, Pascale's boyfriend,
pleased to meet you".
It was mere formality. He saw how she looked at him, it was the same
look she had given him when he had first arrived. It was a look that
said more than words ever could. He felt hurt and rejected; he had not
even left and she was already seeking a replacement. She saw the look
on his face, and taking him by the arm, led him through the back door
into the cool night air.
"Now don't get jealous, please", she began "I couldn't` stand it if I
thought you had gone away feeling badly". Her voice betrayed her lack
of conviction, and he knew that she was finding it difficult to be
practical.
"You know how it is", she continued, "I'm going to miss you more than I
can say, but there's nothing I can do. I have no right to ask you to
wait for me, and I know that you couldn't even if you wanted to. You've
got a new life to lead, and it's a life that doesn't include me".
He knew that she was right, and he had no right to ask her to wait.
They may never see each other again, and he realised that his life
would be empty without her.
The sound of music and laughter wafted on the breeze. How strange that
others were celebrating while his soul was being torn apart.
"Come with me", he pleaded, "we can be together if we really want to.
We don't have to say good-bye now".
She turned her gaze to the floor and spoke softly.
"It's not possible. I wish it were, but it's all arranged. It's too
late".
He reached out to touch her face, and as he lifted her chin, he noticed
that she was crying. He knew, as he kissed her tears that she loved him
and nobody else, and he realised that he could not leave her, yet he
could not stay. He wished that he had more time. If he had realised a
few weeks ago just how much he had grown to love her, he would have
asked her to leave with him.
There was no solution. He knew that even if she were to follow him
there was no guarantee that she would arrive at the same destination.
They may pass in the street of some unknown town many years from now
and not even recognise each other. The system appeared absurd; was it
really all in the realm of chance?
He felt helpless as he held her close for what he knew could be the
last time. Pascale tried to hold back the tears, though the pain inside
threatened to consume her. Soon he would have to leave and would forget
her.
He felt a tear snke its way down his own cheek, and knew that there was
no way out. Leaving her was painful, more painful than his own death.
Soon it would be over, but he did not want to forget her. His new life
would be pointless without her, without even the memory of her. He felt
stupid for not realising earlier just how much he needed to be with
her.
She dried her eyes as Christopher emerged from the crowd. He took her
hand and appeared to be sympathetic. He had been watching them and knew
of the situation between them; he had seen it so often with others. He
raised her hands to his lips and gently kissed her fingertips.
"Don't worry" he whispered softly, and turned to leave.
There was something strange about him - almost saintly. He had the air
of someone who could perform miracles.
"Wait! Please don't go", she called in desperation. "Is there anything
that you can do to help us? Please, if there is anything, anything at
all..."
He turned and gave a smile.
"Don't worry", he repeated, and she found herself clinging to the scrap
of hope that he had cast in her direction.
A cheer rose, and she felt an overwhelming feeling of helplessness as
the crowd descended on the man she loved so much. They pulled him from
her and out into the centre of the room.
A mass of hands guided him towards the circle, and he knew that it was
time to leave. He felt despondent as he watched her struggling to break
free from the throng. Christopher snatched her hand and pulled her out
of the mass of people, then pushed her forward.
"Just a moment!" He yelled above the noise, and the crowd became silent
at his command. "You haven't said good-bye".
With a final kiss on her cheek he thrust her into the arms of her
soul-mate.
They kissed and held each other tightly, until they could delay no
longer. He had to leave, but would have given anything for just five
more minutes.
He stepped forward into the circle and was erased from her sight.
A hand gripped her shoulder and pushed her into the glowing circle. As
the room faded, the last sound that she heard was Christopher wishing
her a safe journey&;#8230;

..They burst from darkness into the blazing light, and cried out in
fear and alarm.
The nurse cut the umbilical chord and smiled reassuringly. She leaned
over the proud mother and told her
"It's twins - a boy and a girl".