Tomorrow's diamonds
She spun the ring on her finger as she has so many times before. Her thumb ran over the sharp edges of the diamond, an act that used to calm with its repetition, but this time it was different. The motion was the same, the feel on the of her fingerprints the same but, emotionally, everything had changed.
She looked down at her hands but felt that they were not hers, unrecognizable fingers of a stranger she had not yet met. As her thumb still pressed against the diamond, she looked at the under point, now polished and slightly thinning from years of wear.
They say rings are meaningless in the scale of a relationship but she remembered the day it was presented to her, she loved him so much then. He had designed it himself, the diamond an heirloom from another ring, one that had belonged to his mother long passed. The design was something that only they understood, a representation of words shared when they had first met.
She pulled her lips tightly and clenched her jaw as she could feel the emotion rise in her chest. This was not the time to break down, she must be strong and do what she must do. It had been a long time coming, it would not come as a surprise.
She cupped her hands together and held the ring on her left with her thumb and index finger on the right, and turned her head toward the window. Light streamed in and a light breeze with the smell of spring on the air blew gently across her face from the open frame. As beautiful as the day was, a part of her longed that it was raining instead but, she was glad for the warmth.
Maybe Spring was a sign of better things to come, a promise of new beginnings, new adventures, new uncertainties. They had spent their time together certain of the future but in the end, randomness of nature will always win out against the plans of an individual. Or, two individuals.
With one last deep breath she turned away from the window and her attention back to the ring. She spun it once more, ran her thumb over the diamond one more and, slid it from her finger for the last time. She placed it into the center of her palm and and closed it into her fist.
"It is over, I am done."
His knee bounced up and down, a nervous tick and as he noticed it he forced his heel to the floor. He had felt that this moment was close for a while and try as he had, he would never win her back.
He looked at the top of her head as she looked down at her clenched fist and lent into give it a kiss. He felt her body relax slightly at his touch and felt a stir of hope but caught it for he knew it was false. His tongue was thick and dry in his mouth but he forced himself to speak.
"I bet you wish it was raining."
Her shoulders bounced with a small laugh. Even now, he could not be serious, he always had to have the last word. She opened her hand and looked at the circle made by the edge caught in the light of the sun. She took it in between her fingers and then took his hand into hers, turning it over to face palm up. She pressed the ring into it and with both her small hands, forced his hand closed as tears streamed down his face.
He gripped it tight and felt as the diamond bit hard into his skin while the gentle touch of her hands held it shut.
"I will hold it for you until tomorrow."
He held her close, her head on his chest, he held her with all he could, but tomorrow never came.
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
I know that kind of love... It can't be killed. It can be run from and replaced with hate, but it can't ever be killed.
What a beautiful way you've illustrated that. This was really touching. And how all too many hoped for real life fairy tales are fated to end. But there's a certain beauty even in that to me. Because it doesn't matter how you frame it or what you call it, that framework: the ring, the vows, the life, it's all just our messy and human way of encapsulating what we know as love - and really could never have any ideal words for or way to express. Nothing would come close. I've tried. They can't. But what does best express it? That kind of reaction. The never ending hope and the waiting. That's what no words will ever capture. It's so very human and so beautiful to me. Truly the best of our nature.
It doesn't matter if she came back at 90, he'd greet her with a wink and a smile. Gut reaction, wouldn't even think to do otherwise.
That's love.
(I know webs are typically what's to be spun, but sometimes I wonder if that's not half the point of a ring. To be spun. I've never happened upon the occasion of spinning one without having those sort of thoughts. They do pair together just like bread and jam.)
There is so much symbolism in what we do that holds meanings so much deeper than the simplicity of the thing/act itself. Passing masses of information without passing much is part of being human and why we should continue to develop out communication abilities as it is the discussion that drives community advancement.
I agree with you. That's very true.
What a heart breaking story, and beautifully written.
PS I just saw this side by side with the other comment and want to change it now! But it's what I felt and meant, so I won't...
Thanks. I find some stories much harder to write than others. For some reason I am more emotional as I write than I am in real life, I am not sure why. I do think it is useful to write about the 'other' sides of life though.
So beautiful and emotional ending without any "drama" or description of emotions. Their body language said it all.
It left me a bitter aftertaste...
It left me with a bitter taste too. It wasn't very fun to write tbh.
Ummmm this is a lovely piece and was well written...is this a continuation to a story you had already started or a story on its own?
this is a stand alone piece.
Though it's sad, its over. I hope they found happiness
a really amazing story and full of love, dedication and union is an act of great responsibility and commitment, incredible
this is a beautiful and moving story, sad but very interesting. you are also very clever in composing words so it is very easy to understand.
Wow! what a beautiful write up with an amazing ending. Though it's sad but one can't deny how lovely it is
There is always something spectacular about your write ups @tarazkp keep writing
First of all... If this was a movie you just beautifully narrated or wrote about just one scene of the story, giving every detail. I Really like.
I do not know what he must have done but I could tell he wanted to fix things... But i think he went too far this time.... She returned the ring with so much pain in her heart.
If she did return some day, I'm quite sure he would welcome her in his arms once again without thinking... This love is/was pure.