The rain spoke quietly as a soft pitter patter against the thick windows. Somewhere far off the soft echo of a clock pulsed continuously. The only other noises on the building floor came from the slight crash as vendors opened their shops. And, of course, her depressed sobs.

Tears rolled from her eyes in big dollops with no end in sight. Her eyes, red and swollen, searched his face frantically for a sign that he'd changed his mind. When she found none, the tears only came faster.

He looked everywhere but into the pleading hazel eyes he knew would break his heart. The mere thought of the pain his pride was putting her through tore at the strings of his heart, and he worried. He feared that if he had to actually see those tears, he too would cry.

Once he knew he wouldn't lose it, he looked down at her a smiled. Using his thumb he wiped away the blend of salt, water and mascara that decorated her cheeks.

"I'll be back soon," He croaked hoarsely over the sudden heaving attack of rain, "so soon you won't even realize I left."

For a moment they simply stared into each other's eyes, and then they embraced. For a few minutes she held them back, then the strain became too much to bear and once again she was crying.

And why shouldn't she be? All this hype about plane crashes and terrorism, what if something happened to his plane? What if he died? What if she never saw him again? What if, what if, what if…

She quickly banished the thoughts from her mind. Of course his plane wouldn't crash, what a silly thought.

She pulled away and smiled bravely. Overhead called the announcement that the plane would be taking off soon and that all pasengers should begin to board.

"You'll write?" he asked as her as he gathered his bags.

"How could I not?" she asked, making him smile,"I love you."

He smiled with glossy eyes before responding with an 'I love you' of his own.

They silently waited in the short line with three other people before he checked his ticket. He walked half way down the tunnel, then turned and blew her a kiss. He turned back around quickly to hide the tear on his cheek, and then disappeared behind a corner.

A solitary thought held their minds in unison:

It was hard to say goodbye.