Seven Days...

She patiently waited for his return. She needed to see him desperately, perhaps due to her lonely heart or maybe it was because her day is near. She would spend her time in her room overlooking the silent, blue waters of a nearby lake. And when the weather was much better and cooling, she would step out of her wooden log home to enjoy the green, open pasture. She would then pick lavenders and other scented flowers growing wildly in the area. After that, she would sit at the end of the jetty and soaked her feet under the cold lake water waiting for sunset to arrive before returning to her dwelling. Each day passed with regrets as her hopes for his return were shattered. Nevertheless, she would regain her determination the following morning to keep on living till she finally met the love of her life.

Her health deteriorated every passing day. First, her toes began to feel numb. It lasted for a week before she lost control of her ability to shuffle her feet. Next, her legs grew weak that she was no longer able to carry herself around the pasture. She was left alone in her room, bedridden. Her loyal servant would burst into tears when she saw her stripped of her favourite pastime. So, she would voluntarily pick some flowers and placed them next to her. It was the least she could do to show her that someone still cared for her well-being as end drew nearer than anticipated.

Her fiancé did come at last. By then, the doctor has predicted that she had only a maximum of seven days to live. He could not believe his ears. He explained that her nervous system worsened and eventually it would affect her ability to feel, taste, and talk, hear, see and think. He tapped his hands on his shoulder, regretting for the misfortune. The doctor left the room and he made his way up to her room. As he opened the door, he could smell a familiar fragrance. He approached her bed and held her warm hand. She said softly, “You are finally here.” He gave her a fond smile she missed so much that she could not take her eyes off him. He hugged her delicately, expressing his innermost feelings. He promised that her last week would not end in despair and pain instead he swore that he would make her last days the most precious moments of a lifetime.

The first day, he showed her an old photo album while spending the evening by the jetty. It was their childhood photos taken a few decades ago from they were in elementary school till they graduated from a university. They discussed the good old days often ended in laughter and blushes. There were times when they wished they could relive the past but they brushed those hopes aside, knowing that the present was more meaningful. They ended the evening with a candlelight dinner prepared by their servant. They spent the night together admiring the moon and stars after a hearty meal outdoors.

The second day, he placed her by the window. He spent hours making her portrait. When he finished, he would smile in satisfaction having completed his masterpiece. He named his art piece “Her”. By then, both of them were exhausted. They spent the late evening making final touches before putting it up in her room.

The third day, he invited a few children from a nearby village to have an outdoor lunch. He knew she must have felt so lonely all these while. Bringing some cheerful and energetic children might lift her spirits high. True enough, their presence made the picnic more fun filled and enjoyable. Laughters and giggles filled the day. And when they had to leave, they thanked them for their time and gave them a candy each as a token of gratitude.

The fourth day was gloomy. She finally was reaching her limits. Noticing her sufferings, he accompanied her. At times, she would tell him how she feared death and that she would be missing him for good. She would weep in agony to ease her burden. He could only gave her a comforting hug just enough to mend her broken heart.

The fifth day, the silence of sorrow arrived. Just as expected, she lost her ability to talk and taste. She could barely hear his words as he spoke. He turned to using a portable whiteboard and a marker to communicate with her. Seeing this, he thought that it was time.

The sixth day, he invited a priest to her home. He ordered his servant to dress her up in a white gown he had purchased. He then proposed to her with a sparkling diamond ring with the pious priest as witness to conduct the wedding. It was not glamorous but it left a special meaning to her. They were pronounced husband and wife that day.

The final, seventh day, he found her lying next to him. Eyes closed, a smile was carved on her beautiful face. He tried to awaken her but there was no response. He knew she had finally let go of her pain and drifted away. He kissed her on last time and grabbed her hands. The wedding ring fell out. He realized that she had let go of the wedding ring and held it between her palms. He cried, now that he had fulfilled his duty, there was nothing he could do.

He could just watch her coffin being buried under the soil. Her portrait was left to be kept as memories. He had slipped the wedding ring into her ring finger before she was placed in her coffin. And now, only memories remained and nothing else. Maybe the portrait was the only item that could keep him close to her. “With this portrait, I believe I would never forget the face that once brought me smiles that not only warms but comforts as well. There will always a room in my heart for you no matter what the time and place, till the day I meet you in the Garden of Eden.”

People may not remember what you did or what you say, but they will always remember how you make them feel…