Death Is Inevitable

   Writer's point of view…..

  Vivian stood transfixed, gasping. She could not have heard correctly, a friend of Susan just called and told her of Susan's death. 

   "I left her yesterday and she did not show a sign that she was leaving so soon"

Vivian thought unbelievably.

  "I heard she died of panic attack"

Her friend's voice replayed in her head. 

  "No now, it can't be possible. Susan, I don't believe this. How can you die? What happens to baby Claire now?"

She didn't believe the news. But what other explanation is there for Susan's death?

   A knock on the door made Vivian snap out of her thoughts. A young woman with long red hair entered and smiled.

"Hi, sorry, I have bad timing, but are you alright?" Vivian blinked at her, slightly confused.

The girl approached her, placing both hands on Vivian's shoulders. 

"You're shaking, please calm down, I am the girl next door"

Vivian was still staring at the stranger in front of her, not understanding anything. The girl had green eyes, like her own, which looked concerned at Vivian.

Before she realised it, Vivian started sobbing and wrapped her arms around the redhead's neck. She felt someone rubbing circles on her back while the girl whispered soothing words. After she calmed down she pulled away from the hug and sniffled. The girl put a hand under Vivian's chin as a way to make eye contact, smiling at her reassuringly.

"Thank You", Vivian mumbled in a whisper.

The girl took her hand back and stepped back a little, still smiling softly.

"It's fine, it's okay". Vivian wiped her tears and looked up.

"My name is Alice, your new neighbor"

Vivian nodded and slowly stepped outside the door still clutching her phone tightly. Alice followed her and wondered what could be wrong.

  She just came to say good morning to her neighbor and found her standing transfixed in her corridor, looking so distant and confused with sadness written all over her.

   Alice did not expect their first meeting to be this way.

   "I know I am not in a position to ask you this but is everything alright?"

  Vivian snapped out of her thoughts, turning towards Alice.

She cleared her throat and replied.

"Sorry, I must have been lost in my thoughts. It's nothing really"

Alice smiled again and replied,

"It’s alright, I hope you are alright now, if you ever need someone to talk to,I'm here!" 

   Vivian gave another weak smile before turning back into her apartment. Alice watched her retreating figure sadly. She wished she could help. Maybe it would be best if she let her be but Alice doubts if her neighbor could handle what is wrong with her. 

   She really wanted to help but maybe Vivian would want to do it alone. However, when Vivian stopped halfway, turned and faced her again, Alice knew she could never leave her, something terrible had happened and suddenly she didn't have the heart to let her deal with it by herself. That would make her a bad neighbor right?

  "My bad but I can't let you go, what happened?"

Alice asked calmly as she made her way towards Vivian,

  I am not so good at ignoring people. you can tell me you know?"

 Alice smiled softly, trying her best to make Vivian tell her what it is

Vivian looked at her and sighed,

"I lost a friend who gave birth yesterday" 

Alice frowned deeply and hugged Vivian. Vivian held onto her tightly in response.

When they let go of each other, Alice gave her a gentle smile again, and said;

"it's ok to grieve, you will get used to it eventually"

Vivian gave her a thankful look, of course she would get over it. Life always happens.

  "She was full of life when I saw her yesterday, it's so unbelievably that she is gone like that" 

   Vivian paused for a moment then continued,

 "She is the most careless person I ever met but I loved her like that. I can't imagine her being gone like that. I think it breaks me"

Alice looked at her and gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze, saying:

 "These things happen and we can't control them. Death is inevitable. I'm sorry for your loss."

  Vivian shook her head, trying to stay strong.

"We at some point have lost one person or the other. we just need the strength to bear it"

Alice said and patted Vivian on her back.

"I will be fine, I just need time to wrap my hand around this. "

   Alice understood her and prayed for her to be strong.

   After Alice was gone, Vivian leaned against her doorway. Her chest hurt and her vision was blurred from tears, yet she managed to hold back the emotion. The morning seemed endless, she felt exhausted physically and mentally. She had no idea how she was going to handle the heartbreak of losing a dear friend.

She slowly turned and there stood Susan in a hospital gown looking so sad.