Soulmates

This picture is AI generated by @wakeupkitty for this contest

I see a woman sitting at a table alone in a room,with a dog laying close to her. There is a book shelf, a clock on the floor, candles and a lamp on the table and wall, a picture beside the bookshelf and flowers on the table,floor and wall. The moon is also shining brightly outside.

I feel the woman is waiting in the room, and thinking about someone or something with her dog to keep her company

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“Hurry, mother, wake up! I need you to help me pick out a dress” Alice screeched in delight. Her mother Mrs. Davenport gazed around confused, it took her a while to understand what was going on. Oh! No, she thought to herself, not again.

“Mother! I'm going to be cross with you if you don't stand up this instant, Edward will arrive any moment soon, and I want to look good for him” Alice said without pausing for breath.

“Alright love, I'm awake, why don't we go up to your room and pick out a nice dress” her mother replied with smiling

Alice clapped excitedly jumping up and down like a little girl, she grabbed her mother's robe and held it up for her to put on. Mrs. Davenport led the way while Alice skipped behind singing a tune to herself. As soon she opened the door to Alice's room, Buster the dog stood up, barking excitedly and running in circles round Alice.

“I know you're excited, Buster, and I am too. Daddy is coming home today” Alice sang out cheerily.

The state of the room brought fresh tears to her mother's eyes. Everything was just as it had been a year ago. The clock was on the floor where Alice had thrown it angrily, the bookshelf had gathered dust and the room was filled with flowers just as Alice liked daily. The chair was placed in front of the table facing the windows and there were a bunch of flowers on the table. Mrs. Davenport looked at Edward's picture beside the bookshelf and smiled.

“Okay Alice first of all you need to take a bath” she said steering Alice in the direction of the bathroom “While I pick out a dress for you and maybe fix breakfast”

“Okay mother pick out a nice dress okay?” Alice said, stripping off her nightie.

“Should I perhaps clean up the room a little bit?” her mother asked going through Alice's closet.

“No mother don't clean up, Edward is coming, and he likes it like this” Alice said muttering to herself and biting her nails “Don't clean, don't clean”

“Shush dear it's okay, everything is fine” her mother said, “Go take a bath”

She left Alice in the bathroom and went downstairs to prepare breakfast of toast and tea with plenty of fruits. Alice loved fruits and flowers, and her mother made sure it was always in the house. She filled up two mugs with hot tea and slipped a substance into Alice's cup. By the time she went back to the room, Alice was out of the bathroom and playing with Buster.

“Breakfast is here love, why don't you eat before you try on your dress so you don't spill anything on it” her mother said placing the tray on the table.

“Thanks mum, I love you” Alice replied

“I love you too” her mother replied, wiping away a tear from her eye.

Mrs. Davenport sipped her tea and nibbled on a toast as she watched her daughter devour her breakfast heartily. A few minutes later, Alice yawned and stretched herself.

“I think I'll lie down for a bit, I'm too tired” Alice said, moving to her bed with Buster close behind

“Okay dear, get some rest” Mrs. Davenport said, picking up the tray and closing the door quietly behind her.

She moved to her bedroom after dropping the tray and broke down in tears. Her whole body shook with sobs. Her daughter wasn't always like this. It all began after they lost Edward. That poor sweet young man deserved a better fate.

A year ago, Alice Davenport had left her nursing job early and was on her way to her father's office to pay him a surprise visit. He owned a bank and was always busy. She stepped out of the cab and walked to the entrance.

“Good day, Miss Alice, how have you been?” The security guard Leon said to her.

“Good day, Mr. Leon, I'm fine and you never age. You get younger every day” Alice replied with a smile.

Mr. Leon laughed and said, “Young lady, are you flattering an old man? You're the one who keeps getting more beautiful every day!”

Mr. Leon was right, Alice was a beautiful girl in and out. Her facial features could be described as perfect, she had a flawless skin and an hour glass shape. She was also very humble, respectful and kind. Alice was described as an angel by many people, and her parents were so proud.

Laughing, she walked into the bank and headed to her father's office, smiling and greeting the workers. She felt sad when her father's PA told her he was in a meeting with stakeholders and couldn't be interrupted. She knew the meeting would go on for hours, so she decided to go shopping. Alice was on her way out when she felt someone bump into her.

“I'm so sorry I should have been more careful” a deep voice said, he reached out a hand to steady her.

Alice looked up at the tall man in front of her and was rendered speechless by his good looks.

“I'm Edward” he said, stretching his hand for a handshake.

“I'm Alice” she replied blushing and giggling.

That was the beginning of their romance. In a short timeframe, they had fallen head over heels in love and Edward had proposed. Their parents gave their consent and the wedding was glamorous. Alice and Edward were inseparable, they were soulmates and the plan was to be together forever.

All was going according to plan until Edward had to travel for business. His car was hit by a drunken driver and the ghastly accident had killed him immediately. The news of his death had broken Alice, she had practically lost her mind and had to be placed on medication. She was getting better physically, but mentally it was as if she wanted to stay in her past forever. Some days were better than the others, and it hadn't been easy on her parents.

Her mother had moved into Alice's and Edward's house to be with her daughter because moving her anywhere else always resulted in making her condition worse. Alice was always calm and happy in her room with Buster.

Mrs. Davenport finally composed herself and carried on with her day. She had just finished preparing dinner when the doorbell rang. Her husband, Mr. Davenport, was at the door, and she embraced and held him tightly. He could tell his wife had been crying, and it made him sad.

“Hi darling” he said, kissing her, “Hope my two favorite girls are doing great”

His wife chuckled, ushering him into the kitchen.

“We're fine dear,Alice should be up by now. I had to sedate her earlier today” she said, sighing wearily.

“Another episode?” he asked, looking worried.

“Yes dear,Oh and Edward's parents called earlier. They will be here during the weekend” his wife said wiping the kitchen counter, “Do you want dinner, or would you rather visit Alice first? Try to convince her to come down?”

“We will go together love. I just wishshe e soon, I miss my daughter” he replied sadly.

His wife looked at him and blinked back tears.

“She still sits at the table?” he asked her.

She smiled in response, taking his hand and leading him to her room. They opened the door quietly and there sat Alice with her hands under her chin looking out through the opened window with Buster laying down close to her chair. She had combed out her hair and put on a beautiful dress. The room was still littered with flowers. Candles and a lamp burned brightly while the clock ticked away on the floor and the moon shone brightly, casting its light into the room. A soft breeze rustled the curtains as it moved through the room, and Alice said softly.

“Anytime soon he’ll walk in Buster, just wait and see”

She sat there, lost in a world of her own, waiting for her dear dead soulmate.

Her father choked on a sob and was led out of the room by his wife.

“She'll be fine, she sits there every day at night, but she eventually comes out, and I make her eat” her mother said reassuringly

They settled into the kitchen and reminisced about the good days. Hoping and praying to get their beloved daughter back someday soon...