Broken Strings

C H A P T E R T W E N T Y - S E V E N

Sebastian played with her hair, twirling the short strands of hair. He smiled faintly, holding her as closely as he possible could.

"Anisha?"

She opened her eyes, looking back at him. His lips were inches from her, his nose brushed against hers. Her eyes, dull and faded.

"I love you." He pushed the hair out of her face and looked at her, only her. He just needed to tell her. His voice was soft, but it was filled with hints of regret. He just wished he had told her sooner. He wished he'd loved her sooner. "Anisha, I really love you."

He cupped her face in his hands, brushing away any stray tears with his thumb. He let his thumb graze against her soft but warm cheeks. "God damn it Anisha, I love you. I still fucking love you."

Sebastian quickly stood up, pushing her away. She wasn't his. As much as he wished she was, she just wasn't his. He'd lost her a long time ago. But he just wanted to tell her, tell her that he still loved her.

He kicked at the sand, sending small bits of sand flying all around.

"I just need to tell you. I know it doesn't change anything. And maybe, maybe I should've told you before. I wish I told you before. But then you were so happy with him. And I couldn't take that away from you."

Sebastian looked out to the ocean, his own regrets surrounding him.

"I never got over you, I never got over us. Of all the mistakes I've ever made, leaving you was the one I'll never forgive myself for."

He turned around a little, just enough to face her. His heart ached as she stared at him, tears streaming down her face.

Sebastian let out a heavy sigh. He could remember the last time she'd stood in front of him, crying, begging him to not leave, to not break her heart.

"I love you, Anisha. I loved you, I still love you. And I'll always love you."

He chocked down a sob, closing his eyes as a heavy tear slid down his cheek. "I don't want to lose you."

"But I think I did, a long time ago." He kicked the sand again as he mumbled a sorry, hiding the fact that he was on the tip of tears. "And I'm sorry for that."

Anisha slowly stood up, making sure she wasn't dizzy. His hands immediately wrapped around her, holding her steady.

He was standing so close to her.

She could see the reflection of the wavy ocean in his eyes. But she could also see the concern, and the love. She took his face in his hands, gently caressing his cheeks.

"I'm sorry." And she was, for every single thing she'd ever done.

His eyes held far too much intensity for her. In a way, he was the only one who was begging her to live. To just try and live.

"I loved you. I did." Her voice was soft and gentle. The wind blew her tears away, leaving her nose cold and her cheeks rosy.

She let her gaze wander to his lips. Anisha let her finger brush against his lower lip.

She watched as his lips parted slightly, his hold on her tightened as he pulled her closer. For a second, she was almost frozen. He was looking at her, like she had always wanted to be looked at.

"Anisha?"

Anisha closed her eyes, listening to the sound of the waves. And she slowly leaned in, placing her dry lips against his.

She shut him up before he could say another word. And she begged him to show that he still did love her.

His lips were soft, synched against hers. They held affection for her, care. She could taste the peppermint chap stick he always wore. And she could feel every bit of emotion he'd ever felt for her, poured into that kiss.