THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

CHAPTER 15

nn Smiled at the screen of her face as she walked across the street. Troy had texted her to remind her about the movie date they had tonight. They had decided to have a virtual date. They didn't want to miss out in all the fun they always had while together so they had both agreed it was a good idea.

Mike had invited Ann today to go along with him to Rina's grave. She had at first thought it wouldn't be a good idea since it was supposed to be an intimate process but he had insisted and she agreed.

"Hello" Mike said, as he opened the front door pulling Ann into a hug.

"Come in please" Mike said as he urshed her into his home. Ann looked around the living room wondering why the atmosphere seemed intense in a way . She saw several scattered pictures on the sofa, she looked at it inspecting as she got closer to it and realized it was pictures of Mike and rina.

"Sorry the place is a mess, I will just pack it all up now" Mike said and as he was about to pack all the pictures away in other for Ann to be able to sit and arrange the place.

"Can I look at them please" Ann asked as she sat on the sofa next to where the pictures where. Ann looked up at Mike's face as he was about to pick up the pictures. Ann expected him to disagree like he always did but his response was different this time.

"You can, I will just go in to get ready now before we go" Mike said before going into his room.

Mike walked into his room and then Ann picked up the pictures one after the other. She looked through the pictures and there were so many memories. She couldn't imagine anything happening to Troy. She saw how happy both of them looked. The places they had been to together, she could easily tell that Rina was ever joyous, playful and full of life. She was eager to take on the world and she had the cutest smile too. As Ann still looked through all the pictures Mike came out some minutes later ready.

"We should probably go now" he said, standing by the couch. Ann stood from where she was sitting. She picked up her bag as she walked towards the door.

Mike and Ann drove silently to the graveyard. Even the radio of the car wasn't put on. Ann would have put it on because she didn't like how the atmospheric seemed but she also didn't want to be insensitive so she just stuck to looking out through the window as they drove on.

Minutes later they got there, Mike had picked up some flowers on his way. Ann stood some distance away from Rina 's grave as she watched Mike from afar by the car.

Mike dropped the flowers by the grave as he stood for some minutes not knowing what to say. Memories of he and Rina flooded his head once again as he thought about how different it all would have been if she was still here. He knew he had loved her so much and had hated himself for not being able to do anything when she was sick but there was nothing he could do.

Mike thought how all their last moments had been in the hospital. The first few months after she was diagnosed wasn't so bad. He had been optimistic, thinking things would get better but then it only got worse. he thought about the next few challenging months after where some days she had been really heal and some days she had not even been able to stand from her bed while still being optimistic and strong. Even till the very last day, she had told him about how strong she wanted him to be no matter what had happened. Mike knew how strong she was and it hurt him so much that she had to go through all that.

Tears flowed down Mike's eyes as he thought about all of these. Words couldn't explain how he felt, they wouldn't do justice to the emotions he was feeling.

"I hope you're somewhere better free from all the hurt of the world and I miss you so so much every day and it hurts that I have to leave my life without you by my side" Mike said wiping the tears from his face.

"We had so much unfulfilled dreams, so much to do, so much to achieve, you wanted to see the world as much as I did buy now you're gone" Mike said sadly.

He suddenly screamed on top of his voice angrily, letting out all the emotions he had been bottling inside forever.

Mike spent some more moments there then he turned to leave, Ann immediately came towards him to give him a hug. She was glad he was able to do this anyways.

"I am glad I did that" Mike said, relieved as he drove. Ann smiled glad that he was better.

"I am glad you finally agreed to this" Ann said.

Mike Dropped Ann back in her hostel since she had told him she had something to do with Troy later today. Ann also suggested Mike dropped by at Rina's parents place today if even for some minutes.

"Did you and Mike go out" Sophie said after Ann got in preparing to have a bath.

"Yeah, he went to Rina's grave" Ann said putting her towel around her and wearing her flip flops with Sophie who was completing a school project on her desk with a laptop in front of her.

Sophie turned immediately she heard Ann's response. She had never in forever thought that would happen.

"Wow, he really did that. He wouldn't listen to anyone before telling him to go visit her. I am glad he his finally letting go and it's really all Thanks to you" Sophie said.

"He made the decision though, I think it's just been really tough for him since she passed."

"Yeah, I haven't seen him really happy since she passed apart from the night I dropped keys for you at the shop though. He looked really comfortable with you" Sophie said and Ann really didn't want to start that conversation with Sophie so she just smiled.

"He is a really good friend though and a very good designer at that. He is even thinking of starting his own design shop soon and make a bridal line to showcase at the fashion week. Although he is still sceptical but I am determined to make him do it" Ann explained

"Sometimes I feel he underestimates himself and doesn't know how good he is but I am glad he has you now though" Sophie said smiling.