Pen of Passion

From the beginning of time, human has developed an ardent desire to be able to foresee or predict the future. Works of sci-fic genre and concepts such as “time travel” or “time machine” are quite prominent in popular culture. It’s human nature after all to be curious about everything around us. I cannot tell you how many times I wish I could fast-forward time to see what I will become ten years from now. But then again, it might not turn out to be what I have hoped.
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Melissa was the most attractive girl in her town. Suitors were literally lining up to ask her hand in marriage. In the end, she decided to marry her high school sweetheart Tom. For ten years, their marriage was the envy of the town. Their love had seemingly withstood the test of time. The couple had two lovely children together. Melissa’s life was nothing short of perfection, until a real tragedy happened.

Melissa was on her way home from the grocery store one day, when she was struck by an out-of-control vehicle. The impact was so strong that it sent her body flying through the air. As Melissa’s body was flying, time appeared to have come to a standstill. Images of her loved ones were suddenly flashing in front of her. She wanted to reach out her hands to grab hold of these precious memories, but couldn’t. Melissa’s body plunged onto the rugged walkway. Within minutes, she lost her consciousness.

It was a typical day in the town’s main medical facility. A young nurse was checking on every room in the hospital to make sure everything was in place. While checking on the patients, she detected visible movements in a patient named Melissa who had been in coma for almost 20 years. Within minutes, the room was filled with doctors and nurses. It wasn’t long before the local TV crew was present at the hospital, reporting on a truly rare phenomenon.

After a year of rehabilitation, Melissa had mostly recovered from her injuries. Her prognosis was quite good — she was scheduled to be released from the hospital. As she sat in the hospital lobby waiting to reunite with her loved ones, many wonderful things were on her mind. She wondered what had become of her loved ones after 20 years.

“Tom must have remarried by now and is living a happy life. My two children must have all grown up and become successful individuals.”

Melissa wanted nothing more than to see her family again.

Eight long hours had passed; there was still no sight of any of her loved ones. The once crowded lobby area was now dreadfully empty. Yet, Melissa continued to persist – her eyes remained fixed on the lobby entrance. Unfortunately, none of her loved ones would eventually show up. She had been all but forgotten.

Adjusting to a world twenty years past her time was a real challenge for Melissa. Technology had advanced so much from her days. The once open fields were now filled with homes and businesses. Melissa felt like a lost bird in an unfamiliar environment.

As she wandered her old neighborhood, nostalgia led her back to the exact spot where the accident happened; she was overwhelmed with emotions. She started to question her very existence in this strange and unforgiving world. Mentally exhausted, Melissa collapsed. As she lay on the ground, images of her loved ones were once again flashing in front of her. To this, she smiled — relishing the moment. She wished it would never end.

~Simon N. 2007