Water Lily

Nilofer awakened, gasping for air. "That was the queerest one yet," she thought, shaking her head. Lately, it had been as if her thoughts were drowning her.

She tapped on Sadiki's window pane. Almost instantly, he was there with a drowsy smile. All she had to do was nod, and he knew where they were going. Quickly, he threw on a t- shirt that was just a little too tight, tan cargo pants, and a pair of dark sandals to meet her outside.

"I always thought this place was seemingly pure at night," he began as they walked, "but I would still love to know why we're out here. I can tell by how, well, empty your eyes look that something's up."

Nilofer had to laugh. "Why does there have to be a reason why when I ask you to come out here with me? I mean-" She stopped mid-sentence because of the expression on Sadiki's face. "It's amazing how you can always tell, Sadie."

By then, they had reached the beach. The horizon seemed endless as the moonlight struck the pale sand and the perfectly clear water. Nilofer's favorite time of day was always after sunset.

After they both sat down on the shore, Nilofer and Sadiki shared an inexplicable moment. Now usually at the end of a sentence like that, you'd see the words "like no other". But you see, the pair always share these moments. On such occasions, they feel more whole than they ever do. They feel as if they complete one another.

While they gazed into each other's eyes, Nilofer said in an almost inaudible tone, "If I asked you to jump off of a cliff, would you do it?"

It is extremely hard to put into words the emotions playing through Sadiki's mind. You see, the two of them have always been there for each other, for as long as they can remember. They are, as far as they currently know, completely alone on this island. Nonetheless, neither of them has ever felt alone. With this being said, some of the many words on Sadiki's lips are along the lines of "Nilofer, I'd do anything for you." Instead, he just stared at her blankly.

She spoke up before things got too awkward. "Sorry, I know that was weird. I don't know, Sadie, I'm just not myself anymore. It's probably nothing," she turned away. "Thanks for listening anyways."

"Sure, no prob, Nilo," he said quieter than he intended.

"Sorry for dragging you out here in the middle of the night, I know how you prefer daylight," Nilofer apologized.

"No, trust me, I'm fine. I've had things on my mind, too," he reassured her. "I wasn't even really sleeping when you tapped on my window."

"Well, I think I'm fine now, so you could go to bed if you'd like. Not like you need my permission to leave."

"If you're sure you're fine," Sadiki hesitated before continuing, "then I suppose I'll leave since there's work to be done tomorrow. That is, if you're positive you're okay."

"I'm totally okay, Sadie. Goodnight, then."

"Goodnight, Nilo." Those were the last words that he spoke to her before the incident.