I fell in love that day.
I had lost my job, had no way to pay the rent and no friends willing to lend a hand. I'm a loner and most of my friends are all online. I was ready to give up. I walked to the beach at sunset. I took off my shoes and left my note underneath it. I took a step into the water, readying myself for what I was about to do. For someone who had been so determined, I could feel my fists start to shake at my side.
But that’s when I saw her.
She was out of my reach, standing on the surface of the water with her dress dancing in the soft, gentle breeze. Her long hair sent electric shocks running down my spine. Her hands that moved from her back as she turned to face me set off the butterflies in my stomach. But she was too far away from me, I couldn’t see her face.
Still she stood there, watching me. She stood there while I took a step back, sat down and told her my story. She waved to me as it got dark and we parted ways.
It wasn’t when I got home that I realized I was in love.
I went there the next day as the sun started to set. She was at the exact spot as I remembered. I saw her shoulders lift up like her spirits as she saw me. I waved to her, I thanked her for listening to me yesterday.
She smiled. I couldn’t see it, but I can tell she smiled. I brought some food today, I offered her some, but she stayed where she was and turned me down politely. I talked to her about my day, how the landlord gave me an extension to my rent, and how I sent out around ten applications to jobs. They may be part-time, but they’ll have to do. I wasn't particularly skilled, nobody would hire me as a full-time worker. I talked about some of the troubles I had in my life, some of the funny events, and some unforgettable memories.
She listened to me. She listened to all of it. And before I knew it, I had been coming here day after day for a whole month. She never stepped closer to me, but she was happy. I can tell. I wasn’t sure, but I could.
Today, I came here at the same time with my jacket tightly wrapped around my torso, keeping me warm. I wonder if she was cold, she always wore that one piece dress, all the way to her ankles, and it looked rather thin.
"Remember I said I was painting a picture of you the other day? I brought it with me. Would you like to see it?"
I set down the canvas and sat down, casting my gaze towards the water surface. It was then I noticed she wasn’t there. Panic shot through my heart, but it settled down almost instantly as I told myself that she was probably just late.
"…Excuse me, did you draw that?" A woman with beautiful hair stopped beside me. "Sorry, but it’s just really beautiful and abstract. The sunset, the water and that a shadow of a girl in the distance. Can I ask you what it means?" Her long dress sways in the wind as the gentle breeze blew by.
If you want to know, my life is fine now. I may be working two part times at the same time, but I'm taking a night course for a higher qualification. I have someone who loves me, and I love them back just as much. I never saw you again after that day, and I still wish I could have said more, told you more. I feel like there was so much left unsaid. But I’ll sum it up briefly.
Thank-you.
