A ring, placed faithfully on the forth finger of your left hand, because a vein connected that finger directly to your heart. A vow, pronounced by your one and only, as he bent down on a knee and held out a ring. A promise, that he will grow old with you, and love you for a life time

You smiled.
Ludwig planted a gentle kiss on your head, sniffing through your hair and drenching himself in your familiar scent. Your fingers entwined, resting your head upon his chest, you listened to his heart beating steadily. Rain tapped gently on the window, forming a nice harmony to his heart's melody.
You both savoured this moment. Taking a snap shot of this frame and sealing it in a jar, then burying it in the backyard for yourself to find years later, if possible.
You squeezed your boyfriend – now fiancé's hand a little tighter, afraid to let go, as if the second that you did, something would fly away into the distance and disappear.
Ludwig caught your slight movement and held you a little closer. Sharing no words on this stormy night.
Deep down, you both feared tomorrow. You feared the sound of him starting the car; you feared the sight of the sign that read "international departures"; you feared the time when you have to kiss him goodbye, when you have to cross your fingers and wish for his return.

But that time must come.

You stood inches away from Ludwig, your sorrow-filled eyes glancing up to meet his. The world rushed on around you.
He cupped your cheeks in his strong hands, pushing his lips against yours as you wrapped your arms around his neck. The tears that had been wondering in your sockets finally made their way down.
Your senses abandoned their defenses. All other thoughts, all other feelings were forgotten. Only one remained.
"Promise you'll come back," you whispered.
He hesitated, but nodded.
With a swift and tender smile, he turned and stepped out of your little atmosphere.
You inked his figure into your head. His broad shoulders and short slick blond hair. His camouflaged jacket and black combat boots.
Your solider, had gone off to war.

It was a foggy March morning.
You put on your __________ (favourite color) sweater and headed out to the mail box. The whether sent chills down your spine. Returning with a pile of mail and advertisements, you tossed the stash lazily on the kitchen counter and pored yourself a mug of coffee.
The sight of your mug lifted the corners of your lips. The last time you had gone to Disneyland with Ludwig, you had gotten your pictures printed on mugs. You remembered when you forced him to wear that headband with Micky Mouse ears on them. A giggle escaped your lips.
You reached out for the first letter and tore the envelope apart as neatly as possible. You froze with your mug meeting your lips.
Your ___________(eye color) pupils danced fiercely from line to line, eyes wide open, and brows drawn into two hard lines.
Your eyes settled on that last period of the last word on the letter. Mouth cracked open, lips trembling, all your senses were gone.
Gravity won against your force, the mug fell freely onto the pale flooring of the kitchen. With a "bang" that strangely you did not hear, it shattered into pieces. Dark brown liquid rushed out through its broken pieces in all directions, like imprisoned beasts finally gaining freedom.
Your legs failed to carry you as you leaned all your weight onto the counter and slid down until you were sitting on the ground. Your legs close to you as you buried your face in your knees.
Tears refused to fall, your hands fell senselessly beside you. Your thumb met that diamond on your forth finger.
"You promised you'll come back," your voice was high-pitched and shaky, "you promised me…"

For a long time, the light of that candle had flickered, threatening to disappear.
It wasn't until this final moment, when a rush of wind put out that life changing warmth, did you come to realize. He was the only source of light in your world. The only candle that lit up your dark room filled with uncertainty.
The only thing that remained was the wire of smoke extended form the dead string of the candle, swirling and disappearing.

"You promised me a life time…"