[ WP ] A world where soulmates die at the same time

I waited at the airport with a large bouquet of flowers. He loved roses. He was colorblind and had trouble deciphering different colors, but the deep red of roses always stood out to him. It was his favorite color. 
 
 An old man stood next to me and we made small chit chat. He was waiting for his wife of forty years. They had just spent two months apart and it was the longest they had been apart since they were married. A woman, barely into her twenties, help a giant sign behind us that said, “ Welcome home, David! ” A businessman stood to my right, fiddling with an engagement ring and practicing his proposal. 
 
 My husband and I had been together for twelve wonderful years. We had some rough patches, but for the most part it was all that I could have ever hoped for. He was romantic and caring. He always knew the right thing to say. He took care of me every possible way that he could. I was truly blessed. 
 
 Then it happened. 
 
 Dozens of people all around me dropped to the floor dead. It was a terrible thing to witness, but it happened from time to time at the airport when a flight unexpectedly crashed. I felt bad for them. Moments prior they were they were filled with hope and delight, eager to embrace their loved ones. The old man laid curled on top of the “ Welcome home, David! ” sign. The young woman ’ s body collapsed on top of his. I looked down and picked up the engagement ring that had slipped from the businessman ’ s hands when he fell to the floor. I calmly walked over and put it in his suit coat pocket. 
 
 I wondered where the flight was coming from, and I selfishly hoped it didn ’ t delay Michael ’ s arrival. I turned to one of the news monitors that were plastered throughout the airport. 
 The woman on the screen said flight United 477 had gone down in the Atlantic just before reaching New York. That was Michael ’ s flight. I had just spoken to Michael before he left his hotel to go to the airport. I thought to myself, thank God he missed that flight. 
 
 I pulled out my cell and gave Michael ’ s phone a ring. No answer. I left a voicemail: 
 
 “ Hey Michael. Thank God you ’ re ok. The flight you were supposed to be on crashed in the Atlantic. It ’ s absolutely terrible… So many people at the airport… I ’ ll have to tell you about it when you get home. I assume you missed your flight and caught the next one. A call would have been nice so I could have adjusted my schedule accordingly, but I ’ ll check with the airport and see when you get in. I love you. ” 
 
 I hung up and made my way to the information desk. I failed to hear the news anchor say, “ full flight. ” 
 
 The woman at the desk seemed stressed out. Not only did she have to deal with all the inquiries about the flight, but she also had nearly a dozen dead bodies in the airport a few yards from her desk. I didn ’ t want to cause her any more strife, so I tried to be brief. 
 
 “ Hello. My husband was supposed to be on United 477, but he missed his flight. I was wondering if you could tell me what his new flight is and when he might be landing. ” 
 
 “ Sure thing. It ’ s awful what happened to all those people. I ’ m happy that your husband was able to get out of it. What ’ s his name? And I ’ ll need to see some identification to verify you ’ re his spouse. ” 
 
 I gave her his name and showed her all the documents she asked for. “ It looks like his carelessness paid off this time, ” I joked. She was not amused. 
 
 The woman ’ s eyes widened. She frantically typed on the keyboard, looking for God knows what. 
 
 “ Is there a problem? ” I asked. 
 
 “ I ’ m terribly sorry… but it seems your husband boarded the plane. ”
