The final letter -short story

Dearly beloved,

I have been waiting for you for so long. I hope that you’re happy to hear from me.

I write this letter with a sentiment of happiness tainted by the cruel feelings of sorrow and desolation. You are the cause of this, my star.

For I have heard what you say about me. You don’t want me; you don’t love me. You think of me as a monster. You avoid me at all costs.

I do not understand my love. Are you angry at me for leaving you? You must know that I had no choice.

Even though we were not together I have always been there with you. I have always been rooting for you. Maybe not there physically, but mentally I was right by you. I never left your side – you must know this.

How life is a fickle thing. Separating two lovers meant to be together. I long for nothing more than to hold you in a warm embrace and relieve you from all your worries.

I am sorry that I have taken so long. Everyday my heart has yearned to be near you. Every night I have spent dreaming of us and of the day we would be together again.

I have spent months upon months waiting for the right time for us to reunite. It had never presented itself. Until now.

I’m coming, my dearest – the road is long, but I shall be with you soon and all shall be well.

I know that life hasn’t been easy on you. You’ve suffered heartache and cruelty, sadness and betrayal.

I hate myself at the thought that I could not be there to help you through it all.

But I had to let you go my heart. I hope that you understand, I had no choice. That’s just how the world works – we can’t always get what we want.

I know it’s been hard, but I’ll be with you soon – I can’t wait to hear about your adventures!

In some ways I’m happy that we were separated. I’m so glad that you were able to experience the wonderful things that you did – even if it was without me.

I want to know everything. Your desires, your late-night thoughts. I want to know your strengths, your weaknesses, your fears, your favourite songs... We have much to talk about.

We have been apart a long time; I doubt I shall recognise your face.

Growing old is a funny thing. People seem to want to avoid it – fear of wrinkles and grey hair. But I think that with each year, with each new blemish, people become more and more beautiful. It’s within these lines and marks that the proof of your existence lies. Proof that you have lived and experienced. That you have laughed and cried. It’s amazing. The story of your life has been engraved on your face. Smile lines from the hours of laughing with friends, that scar on your forehead from the accident. Our time together. Magical.

Your soul, however, remains the same. That is what I shall recognise.

I have not changed much since we were last together. I am still and shall always be as I am now – unchanging, constant, predictable. You would have felt incomplete had you stayed forever with me. I have missed you terribly, but I am glad that you were taken away.

The only thing that kept me going was the thought of someday being able to be with you again. We have all eternity ahead of us. Even though our time apart was heartachingly long, we will be able to catch up on lost time.

I will be with you soon my love. The road is long. But I will be there soon.

Yours truly,

Death.

Written by Lily Dale, 16/10/2022