Eternal

When you’re faced with death, everything that has happened in your life starts to play in your mind like a movie. You remember every moment, every regret and every sad situation you went through. Starting with the friendship you didn’t protect when you were younger, up to the death of your beloved mother at the end of adulthood. But life isn’t just about tough memories. It’s also about happiness and accomplishments. Even though you had just a few good times, I’m sure they ingrained in your soul. In my case, the happiest memory is definitely every moment I spent with her. My best friend, my love, my soulmate. My Maggie.

I remember when we first met, back in 1965. The sky was gray because of the winter and she was wearing this big white coat. So big and fluffy that she looked like Coke’s polar bear, completely adorable. But the thing which made my heart flutter like nothing ever before was her laugh. So loud and contagious that it was impossible not to laugh too. And her eyes. Oh… her deep hazel eyes. Looking into them was the same as gazing at the night sky full of stars. Just out of this world, impossible not to fall in love with. Since I had always been an introverted person – and very average when it comes to appearance – I didn’t make any moves because I thought I would never have a chance with a girl like her. You know, even my family used to say that I was ugly, so it was hard to believe that asking her out would work. That’s the reason I had decided to move on and forget her. Which I did for a couple of months. To be exact, until March of 1966.

That day, A Man for All Seasons was in theaters and I really wanted to watch it since everybody was talking about how good it was. And, well, I needed to forget about work for a short period of time – so nothing was better than seeing a movie. I recall buying the tickets after waiting for a long time, how uncomfortable the chair was and… the sound of her laugh. Right beside me. In the chair next to mine. She decided to see the same movie with her best friend, Melissa, on the exact same day. Life is really crazy, isn’t it? I couldn’t believe what was happening. Especially the fact that I still remembered how her laugh sounded despite my bad memory. It was so much to process. I felt like talking to her; it was a gift from the universe and a situation like that wouldn’t happen again. I needed to get over my social anxiety and start a conversation with her. I just didn’t know how to. But then, out of nowhere, she told her friend a very stupid joke.

“I have another one. It’s very good, trust me.” She started to say, very excited. At this point I was just listening to what they were talking about, without knowing this would change my life forever. “What do you call an attractive fruit?”

“What?” Her friend seemed to be so uninterested, like she knew that something really dumb was about to come. Years later I would learn that Maggie loved to tell dad jokes.

“A fine-apple.” She giggled, unlike Melissa who just rolled her eyes. And I…

I started to burst into tears, which was why she turned her head towards me with a big smile.

“Look! He gets it! You’re the only one who thinks it isn’t funny, Melissa.” The excitement in her voice is something that I’ve never ever forgotten. It was pure satisfaction. Pure happiness.

“No, Maggie. I think he’s the only one who will ever laugh at your dad jokes.” Melissa replied for the first time. She would later repeat this sentence a lot while hanging out with us.

That’s how we started. Later, everything changed and she entered my life forever. Even though we couldn’t have children during our time together and I’m here, dying alone in this cold living room, I loved every single moment I passed with her. She was my joy and pleasure. And now, looking at my soulmate after so many years, death doesn’t feel so scary anymore.

“I’ve missed you so much.” I say as soon as I grab her warm hand.

“I know.” Maggie replies with her bright smile. “Now you don’t have to feel any pain.”

So I trusted her like I did throughout my whole life and every uncomfortable feeling just disappeared. I can finally feel alive again, even if my heart is no longer beating. I'm with the person I love the most, who waited for me, and eternity lies ahead of us. I couldn't ask for a better finish line.

* Thaís Navarrete Resende is 19 years old and lives in Marialva. Thaís is studying in the Portuguese/English program at UEM. Thaís started writing fanfictions back in 2013 and is passionate about creative writing. One day she hopes to publish her own book and see it make a difference in the world somehow.