The insides of my heart died every single day. Without her, there was no blood that could sustain it. Without her, there was no air. Without her, I was nothing...
Everyone marched on a grassy ground pitched with the morning dew. Most of us were wearing black. No one was smiling. Only a few talked, but their voices were so soft they were almost indistinguishable. Sobs echoed everywhere, their mournful melody blending with the wind.
My eyes were all dried out. My tears had been exhausted by the events of the past days. Mom was almost hugging me as we prepared to say our final goodbye to her.
Even now, I couldn't fully accept it all. They say it might take time. Every day, I wished it was all just a dream. That when I woke up, she'd be by my side, peacefully asleep. I longed for the chance to watch her sleep again.
She had come and conquered my heart. The lady in gray was gone.
Memories of everything we had been through flashed through my mind. From day one to the day she finally rested. I questioned Him, asking why he would take someone who was an inspiration to many. Why couldn't He have given her a happy life? Why weren't we given a chance?
The pain ran deep, piercing through me. The hardest part was having to keep living even when the world felt like it had stopped spinning, when the stars themselves seemed to be lying at my feet.
I wished she could see how everything had changed since she had come into my life. My family fought for our company, and it was thriving. I wasn't afraid to stand up for myself, even when my family's status was at stake.
Sidney had shown me true love. She had inspired me to become a better version of myself, had shown me how to fight for what I believed in. Her brutal honesty had revealed to me who I was and who I could be.
I wished she were here, so she could see the unintentional impact she had on us. She was a lesson wrapped in a lot of love.
"Rayden, it's time," Meg's choked voice broke through my thoughts. "We may have lost a great friend today, but her lessons and the memories she left will remain. Oh God, how could I ever question you? You've taken a friend, a sister, a partner-in-crime from me. I will miss you, Sid. Our laughter, our jokes, everything. Watch over us, like you always did."
Meg dropped a yellow rose onto Sidney's grave. Then she mumbled and cried on Mig's shoulder.
"Sidney, I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive both me and my sister." Cynthia's voice was shaky as she spoke. She laid down a rose, followed by her sister Margo, who couldn't find the words to say her goodbye to her cousin.
"She's already forgiven you. All of us. Remember when she said in the hospital that she was happy and she had a family?" Tiya Iyah's tears flowed freely as she clutched the white rose in her hand. "Niece, say hello to my parents for me. I feel like I've lost a child because of your passing. It hurts, but we'll get through it with your cousins. Thank you for everything, Sidney. I love you dearly."
Many more roses were laid on Sidney's resting place. Her coffin was now covered with colorful flowers, a testament to how many lives she had touched. My parents still stood beside me, their support unwavering. My knees felt weak, and I struggled to stay standing.
Though Carson wore sunglasses, I could still see his eyes glistening with unshed tears as he approached the grave to bid farewell to Sidney. Tears escaped his eyes and streamed down his face as he wept openly. "Rest now, Sidney. You're healed."
With those words, he let go of the white rose he held. He turned around to face me and enveloped me in a tight hug. He began sobbing like a child. "Be strong, Rayden. Sidney would want us to fight just like she always did."
Meg and her aunt joined us in the embrace. I could feel the collective pain, heavy and suffocating. How could I possibly carry on with all of this pain? How could I even live after this?
I stood by her coffin, holding a red rose in my hand. Tears streaked my face once again. How could I say goodbye? How could I let go?
I stared at the rosebud for a moment before turning my gaze back to her coffin, now adorned with an array of vibrant colors. I knew that once I let go of the rose, I would finally be saying goodbye to my lady in gray. I would always choose her as my last waltz, but it seemed the universe had different plans. My tears, bitter and sorrowful, held within them countless unsaid words and unfinished deeds.
"Till we meet again, Sid," I whispered. And then, with a heavy heart, I released the last rose. It was a goodbye, but her memories would forever remain with me.
I stood by her coffin. Holding the red rose meant for her. Tears trailed down my face once again. How could I even say goodbye? How do I let go?
My gaze fixated on the rosebud in my hand, then back to her coffin, now adorned with an array of vibrant colors. I understood that releasing the rose meant bidding a final farewell to my lady in gray. I had chosen it as my last rose, but it seemed the universe had other plans. My tears, the bitterest ones, held within them a multitude of unsaid words and unfinished deeds.
"Till we meet again, Sid." With a heavy heart, I let go of the last rose. While it might signify goodbye, her memories would remain with me. Forever...
"Honey! Wake up! Wake up!" I jolted awake as my mom's voice echoed through my room. She was shaking me as if I were in the middle of a nightmare.
I sucked in a deep breath, feeling like I'd just swallowed a whole balloon animal. My cheeks were oddly wet, which wasn't the usual result of my balloon animal swallowing endeavors. My mom, with her unwavering stare, was the culprit behind this odd spectacle. "Relax, Mom! It's not real!" I blurted out, my voice ricocheting off the walls of my mind like a pinball in a panic.
I hoisted myself up on the bed, palm on my cheeks like I was trying to rub the surprise off my face. Relief flowed over me like a cool wave as I realized it was just a dream. "It was a nightmare, Mom. It felt like I was trapped in a low-budget horror flick. You know, the one where I thought I'd lost her forever. I mean, seriously, the last rose being for her funeral? Talk about over-the-top drama!"
My mom, the queen of quick explanations, jumped in. "Oh, that's just your brain binge-watching all the traumatic episodes from your life and remixing them into a terrifying dream cocktail. But don't fret, champ! Sidney's totally fine. She's not resting in pieces; she's going to be rocking that bridal gown like a pro wrestler in the ring. So, unless you want her to clothesline you on your big day, you better get moving!"
"Oh my sweet calamari!" I exclaimed, my words doing the cha-cha with my confusion. My excitement had trampled my nightmare like a herd of caffeinated elephants. How on earth had I managed to forget that today was the epic "Rayden and Sidney Tie the Knot" day?
My mom, apparently on a roll with her motivational speeches, continued with her show. "Quit your starfish impression and get going, kiddo! It's showtime on the love stage! Time to unveil your last rose, and hey, soon enough, you'll be seeding a whole bouquet of baby roses, capisce?"
I gave her a half-lidded look, part amused and part bewildered. "Mom, I adore your botanical-themed pep talks. A dozen little roses it is then!"
With a sheepish grin that could power a lighthouse, I swung my legs over the bed's edge. The mere thought of marrying the woman who had claimed residency in my heart was sending shockwaves through my system. I mumbled with all the sincerity a man could muster, "Here goes my final and solitary rose."
***
SIDNEY
Once upon a time, in a land not too far away (just a few traffic jams and a missed GPS turn), I transformed from a lady in gray to a red-hot Cinderella. And then, I was strutting down the aisle like a majestic swan on a catwalk. It was showtime, folks!
But let's not pretend it was all sunshine and rainbows. Oh no, my friend. We had our fair share of knock-down-drag-out fights, scandals that could've made reality TV jealous, enough jealousy to fill a gossip column, and more tears and emotional drama than a soap opera marathon. Seriously, if it were a Hollywood movie, it would've been rated 'R' for Ridiculous Amounts of Relationship Rollercoaster.
And guess what? Despite it all, we were there, baby! Right on the precipice of the grand finale. Cue the confetti cannons, because we were about to claim our epic, romantic, and hopefully not-too-messy happy ending.
Who knew the path to marital bliss was paved with sitcom-worthy arguments and more "I'm sorry" bouquets than the local florist could handle? It was like the universe had a bet going: "Let's see how many times they can trip over their own love-struck feet before they walk down that aisle."
But hey, jokes were on them! We were practically pros by then. We'd proven our love was stronger than a super-glued gingerbread house in a hurricane. We faced the storms, weathered the tantrums (mostly mine, let's be real), and navigated the minefield of miscommunication. We were basically relationship ninjas.
You know what they say: good things come to those who argue passionately but still manage to share the last piece of pizza. The universe threw challenges at us like it was playing relationship bingo. "Oh, you're one fight away from 'Couples Therapy'? Ding ding ding, here's your prize—unwavering adoration for eternity!"
And let's not forget the magical being who orchestrated it all—God or the Universe, depending on your cosmic preference. It was like they were the ultimate matchmaker-slash-director-slash-producer, turning our lives into a rom-com sitcom with a hint of sci-fi (because honestly, some of our fights were out of this world).
As I finally approached the altar, Rayden's eyes found mine, and I could practically see the thought bubble above his head saying, "Is this for real? Am I seriously getting married or did someone spike the punch?" But his eyes also held that look—like he just won the lottery and the prize was ME.
"Hey, gorgeous," I whispered as I reached him, the smile on my face threatening to split my cheeks.
His grin was all mischief and charm as he replied, "Hey, feisty. Ready for a lifetime of adventures?"
Oh, you bet, mister! Adventures in laundry, budgeting, and figuring out whose turn it was to walk the dog. Our love story might not have had magical creatures or talking animals, but it had heart, laughter, and a side of awkward dance moves.
Our families watched with tears of joy, and I could practically hear Aunt Iyah cheering, "You've got this, Cinderella!"
"You better not back out now, Sidney. I've already invited half the town," his mom playfully warned.
Rayden took my hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "Ready to rock and roll, my Amazon warrior?"
I chuckled, giving his hand a playful squeeze. "You better believe it, my knight in a slightly crumpled suit of armor."
And so, as we embarked on that hilariously romantic journey, I couldn't help but marvel at the craziness that brought us there. From gray to red to white, from arguments to laughter, from tears to triumphs, we were writing our own fairytale, complete with a love that was bigger than the biggest rom-com blockbuster.
--END--