What could have been?

Her eyes well with tears as she gazes at the beautiful sunset that lay before her. It brings back memories when she shared that sight with someone special all those years ago. Not understanding the pain which she felt, she let the tears fall freely, listening to the song that always touched her soul and let her innermost feelings come through. Why was she feeling this way? No answers to many questions but she just wants to let herself feel for once, enough of the numbness, enough of being strong for the world, she wants to let it all out, cry.
She lets her heart go back to the time when she felt true happiness, being her true self, living life for no one but herself. 12 years ago, in this very place. It is no wonder why she is always hit with a pang of nostalgia when she visits. She still remembers where she lived, her friends, her independence and how she was figuring her life out slowly but surely. Her path was set, or so she thought. She had nearly forgotten her life back home where her upbringing was completely contradictory to whom she was. The day came when she had to leave this beautiful life to the reality that awaited her back home. With a heavy heavy heart, she boarded the plane and bid farewell to what could have been…
And now, 12 years on, she realizes that what could have been will always remain a mystery, a lifelong regret for not being strong enough to find out, but she has that strength now to move on and make the most of what she has.