Almost a replay

He was completely messed up. He didn't even know why it came to this. Maybe he knew but just choose to deny it to himself. It was all his, no one has to be blamed. His decisions. Those decisions he has made which he thought were the best at that time. As he remembered his philosophy professor has one asked them, "Are there right or wrong decisions?". Were they? he thought. The answer is no there weren't. You'll just think it was wrong if it affected you badly. There were no rational thoughts right now on his mind. It was confusion, anger, and even sadness. What happened to his life? he again asked his self. He woke up that morning with no much enthusiasm but he needs to get up and report to his office for another line-up, hoping he'll land a new contract. It was supposed to be his dream job but being away wasn't the best perk of the job this has to offer.  "I'm sorry Mr. Cruz, we don't have any line-up yet." The crew manager personally talked to him. It's been 8 months since he signed off the ship. Still no luck for him getting lined up. The older he gets the harder to land a contract. "You know Gina you can be honest with me." He heard her sighed in defeat. "Fine, Daniel. The principal told us to have an age limit for those we deploy. There was an accident, Alejandro collapsed. You know him right? They had him hospitalized in Mississipi for two weeks. The cost and all of that wasn't pleasing for the principal so it was advised that the agency must set an age limit for applicants. I'm really sorry." He just smiled and thanked his crewing manager.  "I get going then. Still thanks for being honest." "Daniel, I can always offer you a position here in the office." "I know you can but I don't want that. I know I can't afford to be picky but you get me, right?" "Yes, I do but please if you changed your mind." "I'll take note of that. See you next time Gina." "Be safe, Daniel." He left the office with a lot of thoughts on his mind. Funny how he can never be enough for everything. Even to his job where he put a lot of time and effort just to be one of the best. The competition was just too much. Young people who are also capable, his only edge was his experience. In times like this, there were a lot of things to compromise that disadvantage. An advanced learning system, technology, and new equipment. He was on his way home. Just thinking about everything, anything that could resolve his current state. Good thing he didn't bring his car. He let himself to be drowned in his thoughts. He looked outside the bus, watching people come and go. Some even laughed and talked animatedly. "It's nice to be young." he thought as he saw youngsters joked around with their friends.   "It would be really nice to be young don't you think?" An old lady beside him asked while smiling. He nodded out of politeness. He was not really keen on talking to strangers.  "Would you change everything if you got the chance?" Another question was asked. He thought to himself, would he? "I actually don't know. Maybe it was meant to be this way." "I see. Oh here's my stop. You take care, Daniel. I hope you'll be happier." The lady patted his shoulder and left. He didn't say anything but then after a while, it hit him. He never told the lady his name. He was left confused but when he looked outside to see where the lady has gone off to he saw no sign of the lady.  He already got off the bus but his train of thoughts was still ongoing. He shrugged off the thought of the old lady and figured out that maybe he told her without him knowing. He wasn't himself that time anyway. He thought.  He fished his keys out of his pockets. An empty house welcomed him. He looked at his clock. 3:00 pm, a couple of hours before his wife to come home. He went to the fridge to find something to eat but he only found a six-pack beer and water. He took out the beer and sat on the couch. He got nothing to do now but watch some lousy movies which never caught his interest. He didn't know how many times he sighed out of frustration.  "I'm home." He heard his wife yelled. It was the same cheerful woman he met when he was still in college. Almost nothing has changed. She still loved him after all these years they've been together. Even if they didn't have a child, he felt no difference.  "Hey." The only thing he could say and offer her a small smile.  "Have you eaten? I brought dinner and your favorite cake. Red velvet from Lily's?" Her eyes caught the finished cans of beer on the table.  "Rough day?" She asked gently while rubbing his forearms.  "You could say that." "Then more reason for us to eat dinner." "Okay. I'll prepare the table." "No no. Let me. Just sit there. I'll call you when I'm done." his wife stopped him from going. He wanted to help so he followed her.  He watched her wife prepare the food she brought. His beautiful wife, whom he cherished the most. Those questions a while ago seemed to be forgotten for a while. He loved her. Maybe more than she'll ever know and she deserves the best. He just doesn't know if he gave her that. He sneaked behind her. His head on top of her shoulders while his hands moved to hug her from behind.  "You don't seem so surprised?" He asked or more like a statement. "I always know when you are around." "Do you really?" "Yes." "And why is that?" Out of curiosity, he asked. She stopped what she was doing and turned around to face him. "My heart beats faster and it was almost suffocating that I can breathe but in a good way." She guided his hand on top of her chest. "O-oh. Being cheesy now eh?" He was a bit flustered. He wasn't expecting a cheesy answer from her but it wasn't said like a pickup line. It was sincere with that look in her eyes, talking to him, heart to heart. "I love you." He kissed her, wanting to relay an unspeakable message. Can't be expressed with words, just a deep kiss, saying he feels the same way. "Ditto babe. Ditto." Foreheads touching with love radiating from the two people.  They ate happily together, telling how their day went. Leia told Daniel she was promoted and he congratulated her for that. He didn't have the heart to spoil the mood so he decided to hide what happened in the office. He loves seeing how happy she is with her career, achievements and even simple things she is excited about. It was a short but filling dinner and he volunteered in washing the dishes. "You go wash up. I'll be done before you know it." He said with a smile and she smacked his butt playfully. "Alright. Be fast or you won't have any." She teased and he just nodded.  He finished cleaning up and made his way to the bedroom. before he even reaches the bed where she was sitting on while reading a book. His chest tightened which made his hand clenched on top of it. It was nauseatic and suffocating. Is he dying? But why? Why now? He asked himself. "Stupid heart," he thought. It hurts like a b***h and his wife came rushing to him as he dropped on the floor, dying with a sudden cardiac arrest. The last thing he saw was the dead worried face of his wife. More painful to see than what he was feeling at the moment. He is already tired and his body just wanted to stop the pain. It was his time. He closed his eyes. It was pitch black. The end for him.