A Short Love Story

It felt like the whole world stopped when I heard you laugh and as our eyes met I knew I had found love in its purest form.

Joy was my first love, but ours was a different type of love that went beyond romantic or sexual attraction. Our love for each other was infinite, soul-connected. It was like we knew who we were and what were even though we had never met.

I met Joy in a group therapy session for people who were struggling with depression and anxiety. She was the only one around my age that was there. We were both going through a difficult time in our lives and found solace in sharing our experiences. I can remember our first encounter vividly, how she was the only person who had a smile on her face despite all the sob stories shared, it baffled me and I thought how could someone so cheerful be in a place like this? I remember how she came up to me after the 1st session and held out a pink stick-it note with her phone number on it, and that was the beginning of our friendship.

Joy was a cheerful and optimistic person who always had a smile on her face. She had a passion for life and was determined to make the most of every moment. While I, on the other hand, was more reserved and introverted. I had a difficult past and struggled with feelings of worthlessness and self-doubt. However, despite our different backgrounds and personalities, we found a connection that was based on mutual respect, understanding, and empathy.

As we continued to attend group therapy sessions together, our bond grew stronger. We would often meet up outside of therapy to talk and offer support to each other. Her positive outlook on life helped me to see the beauty in the world, and my vulnerability helped her to see the importance of emotional connection and empathy. She was my safe place, my home, and when I was with her I found peace. We shared many of life's ups and downs, and our bond only grew stronger over time. We laughed together at our silly jokes or how delusional we were. We cried together over animations and we sat in silence together and watched the raindrops as they fell against the windows. Every moment we spent together felt like we were in our little world and everything had stopped moving for us.

However, our time together was cut short when Joy was diagnosed with cancer. I remember getting a call from her that evening and I could hear in her voice that something was wrong. I didn't know how to react or what to say. I was devastated by the news, but I knew that I had to be there for my friend in any way that I could. Over time her health deteriorated rapidly and she had to stay in the hospital. I visited her in the hospital, brought her meals, and provided emotional support during her treatment. Even as her condition worsened, she remained optimistic, determined to fight the disease with all of her strength. She would always say "If I'm gone I want you to keep on smiling and live life to the fullest" and I would smile and say "Sure let's do that together."

Sadly, she passed away a few months later, leaving me so heartbroken and devastated. I had lost a friend who had helped me find hope and joy in life, and I struggled to come to terms with her death. How am I going to live again?

How am I going to survive alone?

What's the point of breathing?

What's the use of fighting or trying harder? These questions kept burning in my mind each day. However, I knew that she would want me to live life with the same positivity and determination that she had shown. So I tried, to live but it wasn't easy. With time, I learned to find beauty in the most unexpected places and that even the ugliest, dull places can look a little bit bright only if we just take a minute to stop and look. I engaged myself in various activities to heal from the loss of Joy and it also helped me appreciate the beauty of life. I learned to cherish every moment and to live life to the fullest. I knew that Joy would have been proud of me for keeping my promise, and for finding happiness amid sorrow.

The platonic love that we shared was a testament to the power of connection and empathy. We healed each other through our shared experiences of mental health struggles, and our bond remained unbroken, even after her passing. Our story is a reminder that we can find hope and meaning in life through our connections with others and that even in the face of death, the love we share can help us find solace and peace.