He looked at me right in the eyes and said, This might be the last time I see you

After a short pause, during which I tried to find some collection of words in response

But very quickly realised that the entire dictionary fell short

I gently held his hand and locked eyes back

As we hung, suspended in the most sublime moment

He began to smile and I smiled back, slowly at first and then broader until I felt as though I was going to start laughing

Not nervous laughter, but a happy laughter of relief

He had this cheeky grin on his face and a glint in his eye, as if he knew there was nothing to worry about - acceptance

I told him I loved him and I hoped this wasn't the last time I would see him

It wasn't a long moment, but it was enough

I didn't know then that was a final goodbye, but I do know now

and it was about as perfect as it could be