September.
It was a month in 2023 that would forever be etched in her memory. A time when she felt the tender grip of emotions she never thought she'd experience.
She had experienced casual encounters before, but this was her first time surrendering to the profound depths of love. A love that she had sworn herself never to fall into.
They had shared three blissful years together, a testament to the enduring love they had cultivated in their time together.
This man, whom she once thought to be imperfect, was her majestic swan. Whenever she set eyes on him, the world would fade away, and her undivided attention belonged to him alone.
Together, they were an inseparable pair, navigating the waters of life with grace and enthusiasm. Time seemed to slow down every time their paths crossed, and for a moment, nothing existed, but the two of them lost in their own little world.
Days turned into weeks, and the elusive male became all the more mysterious. He would disappear without a word, leaving her to wait, but she remained patient.
She waited.
No sight of him today.
No worries.
She waited.
Still nothing.
She waited.
Everyday.
She waited.
Finally, he returned, showering her with the same love and affection that had first drawn her in. He spoke about his journey in life, and she listened in awe, her heart beating wildly just for him.
Despite the confusion of his disappearances, she couldn't help but feel at peace in his presence.
As their time together came to a momentary end, they exchanged goodbyes without any indication of when they would meet again. She decided not to disturb him and chose to wait patiently, like a devoted wife awaiting her husband's return from a long journey.
She longed for his presence, dreamt about him, and envisioned a future together. If it weren't for the restrictive chains that bound her, she would have been free to fly like other birds and seek him out whenever she desired.
The female swan, known as the pen, lay restless at night, her thoughts consumed by her cob, the male swan. The darkness seemed to amplify her longing and uncertainty, the quietness of the night only serving to emphasize her solitary yearning for her mate's return.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but she remained steadfast in her wait for him. She occupied her usual waiting spot, hoping for a glimpse of him.
As her birthday approached, she held onto the hope that he would be there by her side, celebrating the special occasion with her. But as the clock struck midnight, signaling the arrival of her birthday, there was no sign of him.
Morning arrived, but still there was no sign of her beloved cob. With sorrow in her heart, she swam aimlessly and slowly across the lake, silently praying for his sudden appearance to surprise her. But to her surprise, he did indeed show up, greeting her with his usual cheerfulness, seemingly unaware of the change in her demeanour.
She couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, sensing that he might have felt compelled to come and speak to her due to her change in behavior.
As she brought up the special occasion, the male merely nodded and offered an apology for arriving late. He tried to make up for his absence, showering her with well-wishes and loving affection.
Despite his affectionate assurances and kind words, her heart still pulsated with a dull ache. The sting of his absence remained, leaving its mark on her soul. As he bid her farewell once more, the lingering ache grew stronger, a constant reminder of the unresolved feelings and unspoken words that echoed in the silence of the lake.
She waited.
No sight of him today.
No worries.
She waited.
Still nothing.
She waited.
Everyday.
She waited.
Day after day, his absence haunted her every thought, a constant source of longing and uncertainty.
The lake mirrored her emotions, its serene waters reflecting the turmoil churning within her soul.
As time passed, her wait grew longer, stretching into months, then years. Each passing moment felt like an eternity as she faithfully clung to the hope that he would someday return, and their connection would be renewed once more.
But until that day arrived, she remained there, patiently waiting for her elusive cob to finally make an appearance.
The sight of other swans gliding effortlessly across the lake with their mates etched a pang of nostalgia in her heart.
Those memories of laughter and joy danced in her mind, bringing forth echoes of the times he had graced her with his presence, indulging in tender moments with her.
The beauty of their shared love and companionship lingered in her soul, a bittersweet reminder of the happiness she once possessed and now longed for desperately.
Finally, she could no longer bear the weight of her silent heartbreak, nor the uncertainty of their relationship.
Like a wilted flower, her patience had withered away, leaving her vulnerable and exhausted. It was a symbol of her resilience and love slowly being chipped away by the relentless indifference of her beloved.
With a heavy heart, she made the difficult decision to cut ties with him, a necessary sacrifice to preserve what remained of her fragile spirit and protect herself from further anguish.
Her mind incessantly wandered, asking the same question over and over again.
"Where is he?"
As she pondered on Her Missing Cob, a mix of emotions swirled within her heart. She yearned for his presence but was uncertain of his intentions. Doubts lingered in her mind, questioning whether he truly cherished their connection or merely played a role.
Despite the ambiguity, she couldn't ignore the deep-seated ache that consumed her every thought and action. She longed for his voice, his reassurances, and the warmth of his affectionate words.
Every day without him felt like an eternity, an endless void of wariness. She wondered if he missed her as deeply as she missed him.
As the last remnant of her love slowly faded away, she found solace in the quiet serenity of the lake.
Alone, she stood, her tears of grief mingling with the gentle ripples of the water. It was a bittersweet moment, a final good-bye to the love she had held onto with such fervour.
Yet, as time passed, she realized that the decision had liberated her, setting her free from the clutches of uncertainty.
With a renewed sense of purpose, she vowed never to let love consume her in such a manner ever again and to cherish herself above all else.
