Under the Pink Tree

Dawn woke up from her long siesta. She remembered her regular meet up with Jess at the park. Every afternoon at 4:30 p.m., Jess sets up their picnic mat under that Pink Oak tree. They would spend their time playing cards or solving jigsaw and word puzzles. Eat, drink with few chitchats about life or how their day ended. Or sometimes they choose to be quiet and watch the sun set. It's their way of keeping away from social media and just be there finding peace with each other.

Jess and Dawn has been together since they were in high school. Started as best friends and ever since, this is their perfect spot. Their story was just as common as the others. They like to hang out in this place. It gives them calm and peaceful minds. So, the couple made it a habit to come to this place no matter how busy they are.

Under the pink shades they would both utter the sweetest words to each other. Give their best jokes and laugh like no tomorrow. Every hard moments are forgotten, it's like their own paradise. But even the sadness or anger they felt were shared in this exact spot. Dawn felt secure around his arms. His embrace give her best comfort. His words melts her heart every time. As well as Jess to her. They had their names clearly sculpted on the foot of the tree.

Dawn took the picnic mat from her tote bag. She would usually see the mat being placed and the food ready along with other stuffs when she arrives, but she also made it a habit to always bring an extra just encase he gets late. It never happened until this day. This is the first time.

She sits and took a bag of chips, munch on some bits as she waits for him to arrive. Poured some wine and took a sip. She gets a little tired, still sleepy in spite the long siesta she had. She closed her eyes as the winds blew in front of her face. She felt a leaf touch her cheek. Could have fallen from the tree. She opened her eyes and saw Jess picking up the leaf from her face.

"Sorry for being late madame", he says with a grin. She hastily stands to hug him so tight as if she hasn't seen him for so long.

"Hey what is this all about?" he asks as he sees her teary eyed.

"I just missed you so much..." she sounded close to sobbing. This is the first time Jess is late, so, Dawn had so much in her thoughts. Maybe, overthinking about something bad happened to him along the way.

Jess laughs at her little drama (he thinks she's too overacting). He hugged her to make her feel secure, tho. He also missed her so much. He hasn't seen her for a while. She's been busy with things in the past few days. Jess visited the place since last week until yesterday but he hasn't seen her. He even tried to check on her but the gates are locked. Dawn never told him anything but he understood that maybe she'd been busy with her driving school and job application. So, he gave her a little space to fix that. And now she came. His heart is full.

The day seemed quiet. They both closed their eyes as they lay down the mat and started to make a little conversation. Dawn suddenly felt emptiness in her, she thought, this day is way too different from the usual. As if something is missing. She couldn't feel his presence even if he's just beside her. They usually start laughing and giggling in each moment. Sometimes they get annoyed by each other and get into a small fight but today.... hits different.

"Jess...?"

"Hm??"

She raised her head and placed it over his chest. She could hear nothing... It felt bland.

Then she said while her eyes still closed, "You know what, If one of us would go first, I want it to be me"

His eyebrows raised. "What do you mean go?"

"Well, if someone has to die first, It has to be me"

"Why?"

"Because I don't wanna live without you. I don't wanna feel the pain of being left behind."

Jess got up and lifted her face. He looks at her in the eyes and said... "But you do now.." Her eyes grew wide as she went speechless watching him slowly fade and getting swept away by the wind along with the pink leaves.

His voice echoed in her head. Tears fell from her eyes.

Memories flashed back...

A week ago, Jess was driving the car as they are going for a long trip.

Dawn wanted to try driving as she had started driving class a few days back. She was so excited. Jess didn't want her to have the steering wheel as it wasn't safe for a newbie like her to drive on a curvy highway. Dawn is very insistent and wanted to take it. She gets mad at him, so, he pulled over and they exchanged seats.

Moments later, Dawn is enjoying the ride and speeding. Jess got nervous and asked her to stop the car but she won't. Then Dawn started getting mad like a spoiled brat. She took a short glance at him. He shouted "Stop!" . When she looked back to the road, it was too late.

A truck suddenly stopped in front of them loaded with timber. She wasn't able to hit the breaks. One passed through the windshield and hit Jess in the chest.

Dawn passed out and woke up in a hospital bed...

Dawn woke up with the wine glass in her hand. Her tears pouring from her eyes. Jess didn't survive the crash. She sat facing the sunset alone, sobbing under that pink oak tree.

The END!

credits: random photos taken from google