"It felt like the world was ending, yet the sun was rising day after day."
-Faraway.
SEPTEMBER 2016-
"IF a guy busts a nut on my eye does that mean I'm watching his kids?" Beth asks proudly, eyebrows raised in absolute amusement as she halts to look at Mark, arms spread open. Expecting praise.
The night air was cool as Mark and Beth took a walk along the beach's shore. The freezing water hitting their legs as the waves came in.
Mark was brimming with laughter. He had his hands in his pocket. He thought it best because if he didn't, he would have roped his arms around Beth. He had just met her, well, officially met her, so he couldn't afford to let his excitement scare her away.
"That was actually good, I'm not gonna lie." He says, the chuckle still laced with his tone.
"Of course, it was good." She rolls her eyes playfully. She begins to walk again, Mark following suit. "Your turn."
Mark purses his lips in thought. "Hmmm", He begins. He turns to his right to look at the ocean, "Do you think the ocean is salty because the land never waves back?" He turns back to look at her.
She was gazing up at him. Almost adoringly.
"You didn't even try with that one." She says, a small laugh escaping her lips.
"Ahh, I know, I know." He shrugs. "Lemme try one more time." He looks forward and purses his lips thoughtfully.
"You asked me if I believe in love at first sight..." He started; she kept her eyes on him. Expectant. "I said no. And that wasn't a lie."
She stops walking to turn fully to him. There was a good five seconds of silence, before she asked, "Where's the punchline?"
"There is none." He said as he halted as well. "It's just one of the few quotes I love from the K.LB"
"Mm" she says, she gives a subtle approving nod and begins walking again. Mark follows suit.
He notices the shift and anxiety fills him. Maybe he had opened this side of him too soon. This was their first conversation; they were delivering their favorite punchlines and he had just dropped a quote from the Kenyan Literature Bureau.
"I'm sorry, if -"
"Because I'd been in love with you without even knowing your name or face for my entire life." She interrupted him.
"What?"
"You didn't complete it." She said matter-of-factly. "That's the rest of the quote."
He grew quiet. He was lost for words. Although, there was a small smile hinting on his lips.
"I uh -".
"I read too. I find the mind is most beautiful when conveyed on pages you can flip through."
"It is." Mark smiles.
"The mind can also be extremely beautiful when shared with someone."
"Shared with someone." He begins. "I find that to be a little scary."
"Why?"
"Your mind is particular to you. Not many can understand it the way you would expect them to."
"So, you dare not to unravel it at all."
"Not 'at all', just not enough." He kicks a random seashell to the side.
