It’s always said, if you love someone, let them go…. but why can’t they just stay?
She watched the setting sun.
Its ebbing light. The sea. The salty breeze that filled the air.
Across the bay the island nestled in a silhouette against the blazing orange as the day came to an end.
She picked up a pebble and threw it into the sea, watching it sink with ease.
Her mind drifted.
“You’re leaving me?” She’d asked him sadly.
“I can’t do this anymore” his soft reply had come. “The years of fighting has to stop.”
“I know.” She’d frowned “But we can still work this out”
“No buts” he’d cut her off. “I can’t take it anymore, I just can’t”
She’d raged then. Firing off a string of words so quick and with so much venom that when he’d begun to walk away, she’d screamed even louder.
And for all that, she was left alone. Again.
She’d cried. Her tears moistening her palms as she’d sobbed.
She couldn’t remember how long it had been. The anguish slowing down time. Freezing it almost.
And when she’d finally stopped, much of the day had already gone by.
Almost as if by instinct, she’d gathered herself off the bed, donned a sweater and taken a walk toward the nearby pier.
It had always brought her comfort.
Now it brought her memories.
The first time they’d met. Smiled. Kissed. And when he’d gotten down on his knees and filled her with joy.
“I love you” he’d said then. As he’d pulled her closer to him.
Even now, she could still feel his strong arms, and his scent. And deep melody of his voice as he’d turned her toward him slightly and asked that question that would shake her world.
Memories. Beautiful. Gone
A seagull landed gracefully on a mangrove branch that stuck out over the sea ahead of her.
That single tree that had weathered so many storms.
“How strong it must be” she thought to herself, many cyclones had passed through this way, yet it stood, the remnant of what used to be a seaside forest when she’d been a child.
“I must be that tree” she thought. “Surviving what storms come my way.”
She bowed her head again. Blinking away more tears, as she felt strong arms gently embrace her from behind, a familiar scent fill the air, and a deep melody, whisper “I love you”.