It takes millions of thoughts to reach a final decision, yet only a few seconds for it all to fall apart, for everything to end in a fleeting moment, when the subconscious takes over and makes a choice you never imagined.
The waves looked restless, that rhythmically aligned with her heart beat, her breath, her raging mind.
She sat looking at those waves, seeing herself in it, trying to break free from don't know what. She felt attracted to them. She dropped her hand bag, she removed her shoes, and she walked towards those waves, to walk towards the orange sky and setting sun, that's about to touch the horizon.
She heard nothing but the waves crashing against the shore at her feet. The water felt cold, grains of sand shifting beneath her toes. With each retreating wave, the ground slipped away, just like everything she had been trying so hard to hold together.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The salty, humid wind brushed through her hair, grazing her skin in soft, gentle touches.
She was not aware that she had taken couple more steps forward.
Her black knitted skirt soaked through to her knees, growing heavier with each passing wave. Splashes of water dampened her off-white and black striped top, the fabric clinging to her as the sea left its mark.
"Hey, Miss, Hey," she opened her eyes as suddenly someone grabbed her arms. She turned around immediately, feeling horrified of what she had done. She looked around. She couldn't believe what she has done. She looked the man holding her hand, drenched and panting hard. She could tell that for some reason he looked scared as she was.
'I.. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," she apologised. She held on to him tightly.
"Come," he said and dragged her as he walked back. The waves were more aggressive and wilder than ever, rising higher than before, completely drenching the two as they struggled their way back to shore.
"What were you thinking?" He asked her as they fell on their back. She lay there staring at the sunset sky. His arms still holding her tightly.
"I honestly don't know," she said in her trembling voice. He turned his head towards his left, to look at her. He let go of her amrs. She had tears trickling down her hazel brown eyes. "That was not my intention, I really did not think of that, but I don't know what just happened."
"Have you felt like this before?" He asked just one question after a long awkward break. For that she remained quiet. She had no answer.
'I wished a thousand times to end it once and for all,' she thought inside her head. 'But I kept moving forward with hope'.
He got up and sat straight. His face looked well-proportioned and symmetrical, giving him a clean and polished look. He had a tall, straight nose bridge and sharp yet soft jawline, which adds definition without looking harsh. His dark eyes looked stunning. They looked large, slightly almond-shaped, and expressive, giving a gentle or thoughtful vibe.
His eyebrows are thick and neatly shaped, framing his face, adding to a composed, elegant look. His skin appeared smooth and clear, and his lips looked plump, defined, and full with a natural shape, giving him a calm and slightly reserved expression.
"You know," he smiled at her. He neither shouted nor grew angry, nor did he complain about being drenched in salt water.
"It is easy to do something we may regret forever, and just as easy to avoid taking action and regret that later. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with us to choose what truly matters." She was already in too deep with her thoughts as she listened to him. He gazed at her. He noticed her pretty eyes and it looked extremely sad. "Whatever it is that you're going through, I hope you find the courage to overcome it, speak about, resolve it, and confront it. And if you can't, walk away from it. Do not do such..." But she cut through him.
"Like I said, it was not intentional, I was just lost for couple of minutes," she looked at his sun-kissed face. The sunlight from the setting sun indeed made him glow. "Thank you for sav.. helping me.. I will always be grateful," she thanked him. The two sat there for another ten minutes, catching up with their breaths.
The sky began to lose it colours. The shadows began to creep in, the night began to fall. "I'm leaving," he said and got up.
"All right," she said and smiled at him. She watched him walk away.
"Please don't ever think about it," he said turning back to her before walked further away and vanished. She nodded and smiled trying to suppress her tears. And then the dam broke. She could not longer hold them back. It was 7.30 PM already.
"Oh no!," she then realised that she forgot to collect her chain from the store she gave for polishing. "I better hurry and collect them before they close for the day!" she wiped her eyes and stood up collecting her bag. "What time is the last bus to the city?" She asked a couple who passed by her.
"We have no idea. We are heading to the bus stop too!" The girl replied.
"No problem. Thank you." She said and ran. She felt sticky as her clothes were yet to dry. She could feel the sand in her hair. "I cannot believe this shi..." she stopped as she noticed people staring at her. "Sorry!" She apologised and walked fast. She somehow caught the bus and learned the last bus is on 11 PM. "I guess I worried for no reason!" She could feel her phone vibrating. But she did not wish to answer it. She was aware who would be calling her. She decided to stay peaceful till she reached home. She walked towards a window seat and settled down. Her feet hurt. She could feel the sand scratching her skin inside her shoes. She turned the phone data on to check the WhatsApp messages. There was one. Only one when she hoped to see many, for not answring the call.
"What was I even expecting!" She rolled her eyes and smirked. "As if he cares about me or anything I do." She murmured.