Aisle 19
In the midst of a summer night somewhere far away from home he watched her fade away into the dark alley. He stood there, confused not believing what just happened, thinking its just a moment that passes away like the others.
As the silver coupe drove by, she looked up at him still standing in the same spot some minutes ago, they locked their eyes, the knew it was wrong, they knew it was over, the driver smiled at him and gave him the finger without her noticing.
They were lovers you see, not anymore you should know, it all went out the door, someone or something stole what they had, an incident, an old acquaintance, a bad vibe, a fight, I can’t remember but for sure something silly.
He flew home the next day through several unnecessary cities, the worst flight ever and the longest by all standards, why would he care? nothing mattered.
She laughed the night away with her friends, they had fun, they never really cared, they were there for an opening in time and they would live it to the max, her max was maxed out, she felt good, but not very good, she actually broke down in tears outside the nightclub away from the crowd.
Some guys pass by, a few girls shouting over there, a police car passes by with two young officers smile, the music is too loud she thinks, the people are too wild she complains to her self, he never made me notice the fuss, everything used to complete the picture, what good is a picture with a torn half she thought? now she chose the loners track, but why she thought?
The next few months were the toughest on our guy, he did bad at work, he barely made it to the weekends to crash alone. She was starting to get used to life alone. He was getting stronger by the month, she was letting go by the day, they chose, they pay.
The camera gets closer to his young vibrant face full of joy and happiness, he just got married to an old friend that seemed to be his best choice and the person that made sure she would be there for him, you know the kind.
She comes home to find everything upside down, nothing stays the same, but not everything she thinks, she turns on her laptop and somehow she opens an old file with pictures of them together, what a silly guy he was, he made her laugh at the strangest of things, good guys tend to do that you see. She dazes into his eyes and notices how she looked so alive around him, suddenly the pictures came alive, in her head.
He likes sushi, his wife doesn’t, his lover did. She goes for sushi, he walks out, he’s enjoying seafood pasta at some fancy outlet now, she orders an extra order of ebi, the waiter asks her later to go? “ Yes he left” she accidentally say’s, “excuse me?” never mind, check please.
When you least expect things they happen, and when they happen they happen all at once, and all at once is too much to handle, so you decide to slide and glide along not caring where you end up.
He goes out to the local supermarket, his list is long but fun he thinks, some alone time to reflect, with his ipod fully loaded he strolls from aisle to aisle, picking, reading, tasting, checking prices, checking his list and so on.
He notices the many familiar faces at this place, it is what they say it is, a gathering place for the restless hearts, mothers bored from their daily lives all dressed up attracting total strangers to feel admired. Guys checking out girls, girls trying to catch a cool one, it seems like some multi activity center he thinks.
Its been a 397 days to be precise he recalls in his scattered and vivid memory. “Why would I remember such a count?” “Because you care!” came back the low reply in his mind. He shakes his head in disbelief, “and 12 hours” “damn it!” he screamed in front of a shocked couple shopping..
“Why?” was the only text appearing on her cell from an unknown number. “?” she replied, no answer or reply. She called the number and could hear a phone ringing at the candy shelves, she looked up from her phone and there he was as confused as ever checking out the new chocolates, he didn’t answer.
As he picked up some Ferrero hazelnuts chocolates and a rather large bottle of his favorite chocolate spread Nutella she moved out of his way behind him, her scent caught him off guard but as he looked up it was too late, memories he thought and changed the music to something upbeat.
On aisle 19 behind him she stood with her back to the shampoos, tears and feelings erupted like never before, her fiery forgotten volcano was erupting, she was losing her mind, her husband was behind her checking out a younger model, she is used to that now, its how certain things work, the hidden agreements that couples practice for societies sake. He never even noticed her look, her tears, her pale face, “why would he?” she thought.
He heads to the cashiers, the lady cashier smiles and scans away his groceries, he doesn’t want anything to take away that scent, how he used to inhale her all over, shower or no shower, she smelt great, that natural woman scent that kills lovers on contact. She used to watch him do that all the time and feel weird and eventually good.
“1805 please” said the girl, as he places his bags in the back and gets into his car a veiled woman tells him to drive away fast, he obeys in total astonishment, as he drives away he points out that he is happily married, she uncovers her face all tears and hurt and burst out crying “ Don’t say happily!, that hurts baby”.
The car comes to a halt in the middle of the street, a faster bus barely misses them but the faster truck doesn’t, they slam into the windows, blood and glass a lethal combination fills the air, all too fast to comprehend,
Another car comes from her side and hits them hard, she crashes into him and everything stops. She hears his last heart beats and he holds her closer knowing the end is near, broken hearts are better at feeling things before they happen you see…
She looked up at him barely recognizing his face from the blood and glass, he looks down and at one last moment they get to say it and mean it before they leave..
Baby…I miss this…
Some things are meant to be you see, wether you want them to or not.
mamdooh.alradadi wondering how much beating a heart can take
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