Epilogue Cooper One year later
Epilogue
Cooper
One year later
Time is an audacious thief. It steals from you when you most want it to last, but extends dreadfully when you want it to pass.
It has done both when it comes to my relationship with Luna.
Am I thankful for all the time I got with her, or do I loathe it for giving me so much time by myself after she is gone?
The cold wind caresses my skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake.
The sky is gloomy and dark, mirroring what I feel inside.
I kneel on the soiled ground and place the two bouquets I brought in front of the gravestones right next to each other.
One bouquet of Lilies for Apollo and the other bouquet of Sunflowers for my Luna.
My frozen heart cracks further as I dust off the dirt from her name.
Luna Vikram, the best daughter, sister, friend and soulmate.
After that day a year ago, when I lost her, life has been at a standstill, barely moving.
I had to tell the awful news to Kate and Vikram, which made Kate faint from the unbearable pain of losing another child.
The mission control sent a person to keep me company.
Although I appreciated the thought, they couldn’t bring Luna back.
Leo visited every day for a year now and still drops by occasionally when he has time.
He is now the co-owner of Infinitely Luna.
I changed the name of my gallery and displayed the painting of her as the highlight of the gallery, but it is strictly non-buyable.
I have been counting every single day as it passes by, some days I feel better, and some days feel the same as the day I lost her.
I poured all the love I have for Luna into art.
I created an entire collection of paintings with my memories of her, which I did an art show of.
Vikram even wrote a feature on his blog about it.
He was happy to honour his daughter’s bravery and sacrifice through something close to his heart, art.
We also worked together to paint a childhood photo of Apollo and Luna dressed as the sun and moon, the painting that now hangs in the hallway of their house.
And now I stand here alone at her grave, wishing that I could do something to feel her touch again, listen to her laugh again or even just hear her say my name again.
‘Hi, my love.’ My voice comes out barely louder than a whisper. ‘I miss you every day. I feel like Nova feels your absence, too. She doesn’t play the same way she used to; she rarely purrs anymore. She wants you back, and so do I.’
The tears flow, droplets falling onto the soil above her grave, watering it.
‘All beginnings have an end, and unfortunately, the end for us came quicker than I thought.’ I put my palm right on top of the soil and close my eyes.
‘We are all so proud of you. You achieved what you wanted your entire life, my moon. You touched the moon, and I hope you got to meet Apollo again. The few years I spent with you are the highlights of my entire life. I regret missing out on so much time with you, but what’s a few more decades until I get to be with you again?
Luna, our love has always travelled across time and space, and this is just one more obstacle it has to cross. I will meet you again in the stars.’
I am racked with sobs as I stand from the ground.
I wipe the tears with the fabric of my sleeves and turn towards the sound of footsteps to my right.
Leo stands there, and behind him, I find Shiva.
I appreciate him being here more than he knows.
I walk towards him, teary-eyed. ‘She’s gone.
My Luna’s gone, Shiva.’ He says nothing and pulls me into a tight hug and lets me cry into his arms, something my father never did.