A Tear-Jerking Love Story
She and he, barefoot, pants rolled up to their knees, shoes in hand, walked toward the sea. Where the sea met the shore, waves kissed the beach, leaving a long, white line against the endless blue of the sky and sea, like a drifting white ribbon. The wind blew in gusts, touching their excited faces and hair. She brushed aside the strands blown into her eyes and smiled sweetly. Looking at him, she said, “That year, we came here on a day just like this.”
He smiled without speaking. She knew his smile was in agreement, and she knew her words made him remember something sweet in his heart. So, she continued, “That day, we also held our shoes in our hands, walking barefoot on the sand against the sea breeze. I still remember the wind was stronger than today, strong enough to blow my eyelashes, and one eyelash poked into my eye, making me cry. It was you who helped blow it out.”
He still smiled, turning his head with a mischievous grin, saying, “No, I remember it clearly. I used my mouth to suck it out. After I sucked it out, I even showed it to you. I said to the eyelash, ‘You little troublemaker!’ and flicked it away with my thumb. You rushed to grab it, saying it was a part of you, and fell into my arms. Not only did I kiss you for the first time, but I also held you…”
“Oh, you naughty boy, I thought that was your special trick, a family secret. I didn’t expect…” She blushed, playfully hitting his chest like a graceful drummer in a senior drum band. He caught her hand, saying, “Who told you not to let me kiss or hug you before? Let me tell you a secret I’ve kept in my heart for decades. I did it on purpose to make you fall into my arms…”
She leaned against his chest, filled with emotion, and said, “Ah, time flies, thirty years have passed!”
Seagulls flew overhead, leaving a trail of cries. They looked up, embracing, watching the birds fly in pairs and flocks toward the shore. Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Look, what is that?” He took off his glasses, staring ahead, “People?” She also said, “Two people, could they have been washed ashore by the waves?” He wanted to say something, but they both stood up. It was two young people. They both exclaimed, “Ah!” simultaneously. The young people seemed to hear their exclamations, waved at them, then held hands and ran playfully along the undulating white ribbon toward the east…
She said, “Found the feeling, found the feeling!” He smiled again, a very sweet smile. Her excitement, already strong, felt like a cheerleader’s encouragement. She pulled him, running as if racing the young couple in the distance, saying, “How could I forget, when we came here, we also played in the waves like this. How did I mistake their playing in the waves for being washed ashore? Are we really old…”
After a few steps, he became a burden to her. She also panted, turning the run into a walk. Out of breath, he continued her words, “Aren’t we old? That time, we ran straight into the waves without stopping. Now, after a few steps, we can’t run anymore.” She stubbornly said, full of childishness, “Who says we’re old? I won’t admit it! If I did, I wouldn’t have come here! Later, I want to lie in the waves like before, and when the waves recede, stand up suddenly like those young people and surprise everyone.”
With that, she ran again, pulling him along.
The sea grew closer and closer.
They placed their shoes and bags on a sun-bleached sand mound, where the waves couldn’t reach. They also took off their clothes there. He wore shorts, and she had her swimsuit on underneath. She extended her hand to him, and he held it, running toward the sea. Soon, their feet were in the water. She said, “It’s cold!” Before he could respond, a wave crashed over them. She screamed and retreated, pulling him off balance.
He said, “Don’t be afraid. If you’re this scared, how will you soak in the sea? Once you’re in, it won’t feel cold.” He encouraged her, “I remember clearly, you were like this before. Then you closed your eyes and dove into the water, and didn’t say it was cold…” Saying this, he suddenly pulled her when she was unprepared, diving into a wave. The water instantly reached their waists.
She didn’t dive into the waves like thirty years ago. Neither did he. As if agreed upon, they quickly returned to the shore. She shivered, hugging her shoulders, saying, “It’s cold.” He also instinctively hugged his shoulders. She said, “The sea seems colder than before.” He agreed, “Yes, it is!” He then smiled and said, “You shouldn’t feel cold. You have much more meat than thirty years ago, three swim rings…” She teased back, “Making fun of me? Look at your potbelly…”
The couple who had disappeared to the horizon reappeared, running toward them. She hurriedly walked to their clothes, telling him, “Put on your clothes.” As they dressed, the young couple came closer. She told him again, “Hurry up and let’s go. This place isn’t for people our age. The feeling we found is also from our younger days…”
After walking a long way, she looked back. The young couple stood where they had been, seemingly talking. She stopped and said to him, “What are they saying?” He said, “Yes, what are they saying?”
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
