A Sunset Shared

A Story by Davy Jones

When love is so deep, that even commitment seems shallow.

She was in love and she knew it even before she was sure of it. In love with his eyes, his perfect heart-warming smile, and simply in love with all of him. Every single breath of his. Every single thread of him. Every single word of him. Every single sigh of him. She was in love. But there is no way to push love, is there? She knew that, for she had been pushed before, and she could never love, no matter how she tried. One shouldn't have to try. So she never expected anything extraordinary to happen to her love for him. Just waiting quietly was her way.
Then one day, he asked her, "I want to meet you today... where do you want to go?" And she answered, "Take me to your favorite place." He smiled, knowingly.
He took her to the beach that afternoon. They walked in the sand, soaked up the sea a bit. They drank a couple of Thai coconuts. Played and ran around like children set free. And as the sun started to descend into the sea, they settled down on the sand. Feet extended towards the sea, hands behind, fingers digging into the wet sand, hoping to unite with the grains.
He had been feeling love in a way he had never felt before. And for quite some time now. But he dare not admit it, for fear it should vanish. For it had happened to him before. Maybe never to label the feeling as love was the right way forward. Maybe labeling just jinxed it. So this time, he told himself, he would not want anything, just take whatever he got.
But today! He felt a surge. Maybe it was the lashing waves of the sea, maybe it was her eyes, maybe it was her laugh. And he could contain the surge in his heart no longer. It moved his hand, slowly and gently, and placed itself on her hand. And it stayed there, as they sat in silence. She looked over at him, her head tilted with a smile. She moved her hand over his, and they interlaced their fingers. Slowly, and gently, exploring the touch of their skin, the close fit between their fingers. And then with a quick smile, he sought his love and put his arm across her shoulders, pulling her closer.
By now, the sun had been half eaten by the sea. And birds were chirping in the trees, homing in for the night that was coming, the night that came every day. And they just sat there. Her head was resting on his shoulder by now. And they were having a quiet conversation. As they lay there on the beach, he turned to her, and in the darkness of the night, and in the cool breeze by the sea, he kissed her lightly on her lips. They stayed there for some more time, enjoying and keeping each other company. Falling silent at times, and liking it still. For they say, words always need to precede silence, for it to be a good silence.
Night fell, and as it was getting rather late, they decided to leave the beach, and go back. Inside, there was an undefinable happiness. A sense of relief almost. At having found something beautiful. There were also questions, for that is how human beings are - we cannot love someone without wondering if it is a dream or reality. That is just our core. And these were no exceptions, but somewhat wise ones. And so they simply rejoiced in their present state, which was without any confusion; and they left the future to Future itself!