Who are you?

EPILOGUE

Vincezo Moreno

They were removing her off life support today.

Jaw clenched, straight went my gaze. At infinity. Thunder droned at a distance. Clouds, gray, were laden with rain. It'd fallen all night. I'd taken an early morning flight, fortunately, and so, had been able to make it here.

I didn't know if I should be comforted that nature empathized with me. Mourning along with me. Or I should break more, knowing that Rina had been to be next Luna, the reason why the skies mourned her imminent exit.

I gave out heavy, fervent sobs, fishing out some tissue from the armrest. I wept into it.

No. Grief hadn't left. It never would. As long as I lived, this was what I'd be: a grieving man. Wiping my nose, I set out to the pearl white walls of Andrea Filemone International Hospital. My fingers curved around the tiny velvety box.

I held back the tears till I got to ICU: Room 4 and shut the door behind. The heart monitor beeped. My Rina still laid like a corpse on the bed, not different from the other times I had visited.

I fell beside her, my face buried into her side. I couldn't believe this was happening. She was leaving. I'd never set my eyes on her again.

I couldn't this was the reality; the end that had been met with. I couldn't!

It left me shattered that I wasn't given a second chance. The universe had refused to hear my pleas. I cried, crushed more by her scent. I would miss that too. I had lost her and the fault was all mine.

"Here," I croaked after I'd managed to pull myself together. I brought the box in front of her. "This is a token. I wanted to. . . gift you this in real time. Have you visited Cartier with me and beat Luigi at it."

My smile was all sorrow and pain as I remembered how Luigi and Michele argued on who would make a proposal first. It hadn't been my cup of tea as a lifetime of bachelorhood had appealed to me. My views had long changed and I looked forward to when I'd get down on my knees in a jewelry store.

I slipped the ring into her slender finger and kissed it, softly at the precious stone. "Always and forever, you are my queen. Have this with you as a part of me. I've got the babies and…" My mind skipped to the tattoo on my forearm. "Something else as memories of you. I couldn't bring the kids along 'cause…"

I clenched my teeth.

It was hard. It would have been harder if they were here. The emotions came in full force again. I held onto Rina tight. I squeezed her hand tighter to block the pain.

Bringing myself together, I moved closer to her and planted a kiss. My eyes shut as let her lips be the only thing felt. With the upsurge of feelings, I broke down, covering my mouth on hers. Tears running like a river.

I broke the kiss and pressed my forehead against hers. Her hair framing my hands.

I love you. I said that instead of the recommended 'goodbye'.

I rose to my feet. Dr. Yolanda had said the solution was to let go. Well, fuck me. I had failed.

I pivoted on my heels to head out and grieve myself into death. Hands balled up and heart thundering, I reached for the door, pulling it open when a little voice uttered: