Simply You(Ongoing)

CHAPTER 6

Yessenia sat at a small, round table on the secluded beachside restaurant, enjoying the tranquil embrace of the night. The moon cast a silver sheen on the gently rolling waves, creating a shimmering pathway that stretched out to the horizon. It was a serene scene, with only a handful of patrons scattered around the restaurant. The soft murmur of the ocean, the occasional clinking of cutlery, and the distant call of a seabird were the only sounds breaking the stillness. Yessenia’s plate, filled with a modest yet delicious serving of grilled fish and vegetables, was nearly empty, but she savored each bite slowly, appreciating the calmness of her surroundings.

The beachside restaurant had always been a favorite of hers for its quiet ambiance and unobstructed view of the sea. Tonight, however, the peaceful evening was disrupted by an unexpected and unsettling scene. As Yessenia looked up from her plate, her gaze inadvertently fell on a nearby table where a couple was seated. Matheo, whom Yessenia recognized immediately, was accompanied by a young woman whose identity she didn’t know.

Matheo and Yessenia had shared a few classes at the university; they had never been particularly close, but their interactions had been friendly enough. He was a tall, handsome man with a charismatic presence, often the center of attention wherever he went. The woman sitting across from him was petite and striking, with a fiery mane of red hair and an air of undeniable intensity. They appeared engrossed in their conversation, their body language suggesting a familiarity that seemed almost intimate.

Yessenia’s curiosity was piqued, but she tried to divert her attention back to her meal. Despite her best efforts, however, she found herself drawn back to the couple. The woman’s gestures grew more animated, her face flushed with emotion. Matheo, on the other hand, maintained a calm demeanor, his expressions a mix of amusement and resignation.

Then, without warning, the atmosphere between them shifted drastically. The woman’s face darkened, her eyes narrowing with a mixture of frustration and anger. She suddenly reached across the table, her hand moving with swift and deliberate force. Before Yessenia could process what was happening, she saw the woman’s hand connect sharply with Matheo’s face. The slap echoed across the otherwise quiet restaurant, a stark contrast to the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

Yessenia’s fork paused mid-air, her eyes wide in shock. The impact of the slap seemed to freeze the moment in time. Matheo’s head snapped to the side, his expression a blend of surprise and pain. He didn’t immediately react; he simply sat there, stunned, as the woman pulled her hand back, her face now a mask of anguish. The restaurant’s patrons, too far away to overhear the conversation but close enough to witness the altercation, exchanged uneasy glances. The once serene atmosphere was now charged with tension.

The woman’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, and she seemed on the verge of an emotional breakdown. She started to speak, her voice trembling with emotion. Yessenia couldn’t hear the words clearly, but the intensity of her tone was unmistakable. Matheo, regaining his composure, tried to respond, his hands gesturing in a placating manner. He spoke softly, but the woman’s distress seemed beyond consolation.

Yessenia’s mind raced as she watched the scene unfold. The unexpected violence had shattered the calm of her evening, leaving her feeling a mixture of concern and unease. She wondered about the nature of their relationship and the cause of the altercation. Had they been in a heated argument that escalated beyond control? Or was there something more personal and painful behind the woman’s actions?

As the minutes ticked by, the woman’s anger seemed to dissipate, replaced by an overwhelming sadness. She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Matheo, now visibly concerned, reached out to touch her shoulder, his gesture one of comfort and reassurance. He spoke gently, his words lost to the distance but clearly intended to offer solace.

Despite the gravity of the situation, the restaurant’s atmosphere slowly began to return to its previous calm. The diners who had witnessed the scene quickly turned back to their meals, their conversations resuming in hushed tones. Yessenia, however, remained fixated on the couple. She found herself empathizing with their emotional turmoil, even though she had no personal connection to either of them.

Eventually, the woman composed herself enough to stand up. She took a deep breath, her expression a mix of determination and sorrow. She glanced at Matheo, a look of resignation passing over her face. Without a word, she gathered her belongings and walked away from the table. Matheo watched her leave, a look of deep regret and helplessness in his eyes.

Yessenia couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for both of them. The emotional upheaval they had just experienced was raw and palpable, and she could only imagine the complexities of their relationship and the circumstances that led to such an outburst. As the woman disappeared from view, Matheo remained seated, his head bowed slightly as if in contemplation or mourning.

As Yessenia finished her meal and prepared to leave, she glanced back at Matheo. He was now alone, his posture slumped with weariness. The sight of him sitting there, the remnants of their dinner untouched, was a stark reminder of the fragility of human emotions and relationships. She left the restaurant feeling a profound sense of reflection on the evening’s events. The quiet beauty of the beachside setting contrasted sharply with the emotional turbulence she had witnessed, leaving her with a sense of introspection as she walked away from the shore, the waves continuing their ceaseless dance under the night sky.