This is a short story of two acquaintances meeting spontaneously at a tropical resort, both escaping personal issues and lives back home.
Their mutual attraction leads to a unexpected romance. As their vacation ends, they must decide if their conne...
"Bella, come on! We have to try this." Abel pleaded me to give in. "Abel, I do not want to go." I said calmly.
"It's not all that bad though, it'll be fun."
"You're saying that we should go to an ancient sinkhole that's hidden deep in the jungle?" I questioned his reasoning.
"I mean... I wouldn't call it a sinkhole."
I rolled my eyes. "Cenote, whatever it is, no."
Abel didn't give up easily. "Bella, once you see the water, you're gonna want to dive in."
"And how deep is that mystery water?"
"I don't know probably 30 feet." He said in a nonchalant tone.
"And you want me swimming in that!? There could be sharks!" I raised my voice, panicking.
"Bella" he shooked his head in disbelief. "There's no sharks in the jungle" he laughed. "And if you can go snorkeling out in the sea then you can do this."
I looked at him sideways. "Come on" he said softly. "I'm not gonna let anything happen to you."
"You gonna fight a shark for me?" I asked more seriously than it sounded. "If I have to." He replied without hesitation.
I rolled my eyes and eventually gave in. "Fine!"
"Yes! Let's go!" Abel started running off as I shook my head.
He's lucky he's cute.
Reluctantly, I followed Abel deeper into the jungle. He held my hand, guiding me through with enthusiasm despite my initial doubts.
"Here we are," Abel announced triumphantly, gesturing towards the opening in the ground that led to the cenote.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I peered over the edge cautiously. "Oh, looks better than the ones i've seen online."
Abel grinned at my hesitant expression. "See? It's not so bad." he teased gently.
I sighed "Okay, fine. Let's do this."
Abel took me to the steps that led to the water's opening.
"Let's jump in together." He suggested with his hand out for me to grab.
"I rather go in slow."
"Alright, stay there." He jumped in the water carefully then reached his arms out for him to grab me.
"I got you." he said gently as he slowly pulled me in the water.
After I adjusted, he let me go. "Good?" he raised his thumbs up and waited for an answer.
I treaded the water slowly. "I guess. The water is... refreshingly cool." I said skeptically.
"Well yea. It's fresh water." he teased, putting the emphasis on fresh.
"Whatever smart mouth." I laughed as I splashed water at his face.
He looked back at me in shock. "Oh yea?" he splash water on me more heavily then we started splashing water back and forth.
"Hey! Where you going!?" I continued splashing water as he swam away.
He started swimming further away until I couldn't see him anymore.
"Abel?" I called out in uncertainty.
I heard no response. "Abel!" I yelled out even louder and still no response.
Oh my god. What if he drowned!?
I swam underneath the water to see if he was there and still no sign.
I swam back up to catch my breath. "Abel!!" I screamed as I was gasping for air.
A few seconds later, he came up behind me.
"Got ya!" he splashed water over me, startling me. I turned around and accidentally slapped him on his face.
"Damn!" Abel said covering his face in slight pain.
"Oh my god, what the fuck is wrong with you, don't scare me like that!" I pushed him away from me out of anger.
"Chill I was just playing!" he said in a persuasive tone, swimming back towards me.
"I was looking for you! I thought you died!" I yelled and pushed him back again.
His playful demeanor died down after he realized the energy of my reaction.
He treaded water closer to me slowly with a regretful look. "Bella, i'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you like that." he said sincerely.
I took a deep breath with the remaining fear I still had. I had nothing left to say.
"I'm truly sorry" he said softly. "I didn't think it through. It was supposed to be a joke but now I see it was a stupid mistake."
He paused to read the look on my face. "Please don't be mad." he pleaded.
He swam closer, his eyes searching mine for forgiveness. I let out a shaky sigh, feeling a mix of relief and lingering irritation. "It's just... I got scared, Abel" I admitted.
He nodded. "I understand. I won't do something like that again, I promise."
For a moment, we floated in silence, the tension easing between us as the water gently rocked us back and forth.
I looked into Abel's eyes and I could tell his apology felt genuine. He gave me those sad little puppy eyes that made me felt remorseful.
"I'm sorry too," I murmured. "I shouldn't have slapped you."
Abel shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's okay. I probably deserved it."
A small smile creeped up on my face. With a sigh, I reached out for a hug. A nice long hug.
Without hesitation, he pulled me in close to him "I care about you Bella, seriously." he said softly with his face slightly covered in my hair.
I buried my face in his chest as I could hear his heartbeat beating slowly.
