How Could This Be?

"Darling, why did you have to leave?" You cried, wiping your tears using the handkerchief in your hand as you held the container of your husband's ashes.

"Do you remember this place?" You ask him, smiling at the scenery before you.

"This is where you proposed to me, remember?" You say, "5:15 PM, January 31, 2014, we were on a hiking trip and took a break to see the sun set when you kneeled before me and said the words 'Will you marry me?'" You chuckle, remembering all the cute words that he had said at that time.

"You were so embarrassed that you turned as red as a tomato," You say, "And that's what made me say yes" You whispered to the container, hugging it close.

"But, today," You pause, the tears daring to fall, "I have to let you go" You say as your voice cracked.

You took off the lid of the container and stretched your arms out, flipping the container upside down gently, you let the ashes fall out and fly with the wind.

"I love you..."

---

"How have you been feeling these past few months?" Your therapist asked, pulling out her pen and clipboard.

"I feel fine," You smiled, "Though I still have dreams about the incident and our parting, I've been handling them better, nowadays" You say.

"That's good," She nodded, writing in her clipboard, "Tell me, what have you been up to, this week?" She asked.

"Well," You pause, pulling out your phone and opening the gallery app, "I went out and played with my twins at the water park on Monday, then we went to an amusement park on Tuesday, then we headed to the Beach on Wednesday, went out shopping on Thursday, then we ate out at our favourite restaurant by Friday, basically just some family bonding has occurred" You say, smiling, showing her the pictures of you and your two kids.

"You didn't go out to drink or even smoke a cigar or two?" She asked, leaning in.

"No, I still crave some nicotine and alcohol every now and then, but I've cut them out of my routine" You shrugged, still not failing to smile.

"I see," Your therapist nodded, writing down on her clipboard, "You have improved faster than my other patients, in a span of 9 months," She said, "That is very promising because usually it takes about one or two years to start accepting facts and cutting out bad habits," She continued, "I am very impressed by you, Miss Harshler" She nodded.

"This should be good for today," Your therapist said, putting her pen and clipboard away, standing up, "Come by anytime of next week, I'll be waiting" She smiled as she stretched her hand out to you.

"Thank you, Doctor," You smiled, shaking her hand, "You've been of great help for my state" You say as you pick up your bag, enter your car and drive off to pick up your twins from school.

---

"Mommy! Mommy! Let's eat out today!!" Your youngest son, Phoenix, said as you strapped him down on the baby seat.

"Sure, honey, where would you like to eat?" You ask as you pick up your eldest daughter, Phoebe, and strap her in her seat, beside Phoenix.

"McDonald's!!!" Your twins shouted in unison.

"Alrighty, then" You smile at them as you made your way to the driver's seat and drove off.

"How was school?" You ask.

"It was great!" Phoebe exclaimed, "I got five stars on our performance today!" She continued, "Me too!! I got five stars, too!!" Phoenix shouted, as well.

"Is that, so? Then this can serve as your reward, all right?" You say, pulling up to the parking spot.

"OKAY!!!" Your twins yelled as you took them off of the seat and held their hand, entering the restaurant.

"There we go" You sang, placing the tray on your table as your twins sat comfortably.

You gave out their food and sat down yourself, pulling out your phone, you opened the camera app and flipped the camera to face you, "Say cheese!!" You say, grabbing your twins' attention as you press the button the moment they smiled, "Beautiful" You smile as you put your phone away.

"Oh, you have sauce on your cheek, Phoenix" You say, grabbing some tissue and wiping the sauce off.

"Sorry, Mommy" He says as he smiles, continuing to eat.

---

"Are we all set?" You ask your twins as you tuck them in their bed, nodding at you.

"Mommy, Mommy, can you read us a story?" Phoebe asked.

"Sure, what do you like?" You ask, heading to the bookshelf.

"Father Frost!!" They say as you pull out the book, chuckling.

"All right, All right, settle down" You say, sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping through the pages.

There was once upon a time a peasant-woman who had a daughter and a step-daughter.

The daughter had her own way in everything, and whatever she did was right in her mother's eyes; but the poor step-daughter had a hard time.

Let her do what she would, she was always blamed, and got small thanks for all the trouble she took; nothing was right, everything wrong; and yet, if the truth were known, the girl was worth her weight in gold--she was so unselfish and good-hearted.

But her step-mother did not like her, and the poor girl's days were spent in weeping; for it was impossible to live peacefully with the woman.

The wicked shrew was determined to get rid of the girl by fair means or foul, and kept saying to her father: 'Send her away, old man; send her away--anywhere, so that my eyes sha'n't be plagued any longer by the sight of her, or my ears tormented by the sound of her voice. Send her out into the fields, and let the cutting frost do for her.'

As you were about to continue your story, Your heard your twins' snores as they've already drifted off to Dream Land.

You close the book and smile, leaning in, you held and kissed their foreheads, bringing the book back to where it belongs.

You close the door behind you, heading to your own room, the room that you once shared with your husband.

As you entered, you had noticed that the window was ajar and that the blinds were still open.

You make your way to the window and dared to close it as you saw something right at the corner of your eyes, your body freezing as a cold breeze enter your room.

There he was, standing right before you, your deceased husband, your husband that you had accidentally murdered that night, 9 months ago.

"How could this be?" You mumble to yourself. "I was the one who threw your ashes" You breathed out, covering your mouth as you trembled in place.

You thought he was dead, but there he is, right in front of you on the street, smiling at you.