Mara slumped in the chair of her boyfriend's living room. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?" She asked uncertainly.
"Positive." Brian answered after loading Mara's bags into his car trunk. He and Mara had been going out for a few years, and going to college was separating them - Brian in California and Mara in New York. They didn't have any commitments yet, but what was the point of promising their love for one another when they already knew each other like an open book?
The couple had met in high school. It was the junior prom; both of them didn't have a date and thanks to their friends, they were set up.
They had become fast friends and soon best friends. After graduation, Mara realized that Brian was more than a best friend to her. He was her world. He was there for her when she needed someone the most... He was like a big brother, a boyfriend, and of course, a best friend. Scared that maybe her feelings would destroy a perfect friendship, she said yes to the first guy asked her out.
It didn't take her long to found out that her boyfriend is a player. The fact he was using her to get money had bruised her pride, but didn't break her heart. She never gave it to him in the first place.
Brian was there to put it back to its original form. She remembered that there was something special in Brian's voice, it calmed her down, made her feel safe and secure. It was also that night, they had evolved from friends to lovers.
"Fine!" Mara stood up, holding a pouting look on her face.
"I'm sorry! But I have a meeting tomorrow at 6am. Besides, I don't want you to miss your flight! Most of all, I don't want my future mother-in-law to get mad at me." He smiled reassuringly, knowing Mara's mother's temper and the over-protective attitude towards her daughter.
"But I can always catch the next plane." Mara tempted, wrapping her arms around Brian's neck and he just simply shook his head.
"Okay! Let's get going!" Brian flashed her a slight grin as they got in the car and speed off into the cloudy afternoon.
Brian turned on the radio when they passed the long line of car, waiting to get on the freeway.
"There has been an accident near exit 53" hearing the information, Mara turned up the radio. "We strongly suggest you to take surface streets! Unless you're not in a hurry!" the female announcer laughed then her voice was replaced with a slow melody. Somehow Brian didn't find it too funny, and without a bit of hesitation, he stepped hard on the brake and made a quick U-turn. After breaking every speed limit possible, they reached the airport just in time.
"Bye! Gimme a call when you got there!" Brian pecked her on the cheek lightly.
"I will, drive carefully." Mara waved backwards as she walked towards the gate.
Later that night, Brian was pacing back and forth in his living room. Mara hadn't called and her flight was supposed to have landed two hours ago.
"Maybe she just forgot, you know, with her mom and all." His best friend Andrew comforted, hoping Brian would just chill.
"Maybe, but this isn't like her at all!"
"Well, you can pace all you want, I'm bored." Andrew yawned and turned on the TV. On the clear screen, a male reporter was talking about the plane crash earlier that afternoon.
"Turn it up!" Brian exclaimed, grabbing the controller from his friend.
The voice increased as the words flowed from the speakers. "Flight 178 from Orlando to New York has crashed on the border of Florida. We haven't be able to find any survivors yet, and the chances are extremely low..." Brian stood there, shocked. Slowly, he fell to his knees as he felt the tears rolling down his face.
"Brian? You okay?" Andrew patted his friend on the shoulders.
"I want to be alone." Brian said in a flat tone, as if all his emotions were drained out of him. Andrew nodded; he turned off the TV and then exited the room. Brian sat there, staring at the blank screen, which showed the reflection of him, alone, more alone than ever.
The funeral was held three days later, all victims were buried in the same grave. Since no one could tell one from another. Like all the others, Brian cried, yet unlike the others, his sobs and sniffles weren't full of anger, but of regrets. Brian made a stop to Mara's apartment on his way home.
Since the moment Brian stepped in Mara's apartment, he had this feeling that she was with him in some way, watching over him. Her coffee mug, her books, her guitar and everything reminded Brian of her. The stuffs seemed to be in order, as if the owner would return any minute. But he knew that she wasn't coming back, she was gone...forever. He entered her bedroom, where they spend hours and hours talking to each other about things happening in their lives. Seeing a photo of him and Mara of his desk, Brian broke into a heartbreaking sob. "Mara, I miss you, I miss you so much that it hurts!"
Brian wiped the tears off his face, and went to the bathroom to freshen up. Looking at his reflection on the smooth mirror, he felt even lonelier. Everyone had told him that they knew what he's going through and that the pain will subside. But they couldn't possibly understand how it felt until it happens to them.
He re-entered Mara's room, without thinking, Brian took out a piece of binder paper from the top drawer and started to jot his thoughts down. Putting down the pen, Brian sighed and walked to the balcony, inhaling the fresh air after the rain. He looked at the rainbow lying across the blue sky, knowing that Mara was gone, gone to a better place. Brian broke into a silent cry, knowing what he could have done to stop this from happening.
If only he had urged her to stay...