came just

ring beyond the window like some restless god. Lightning flared through t

nding on that hill above Kisaro - the wind in his hair, the sorrow in his vo

nother person's grief. But when she caught her reflection in the mirror

e wasn't sup

k but warm. The streets outside shimmered with puddles. Vendors began setti

he waves. The air smelled of salt and wet earth. Her sandals s

ked gently near the shore, their sails patched and fluttering like tired flags. Child

eline, the small hands reaching for shells, the golden reflectio

hasing gho

rned s

a faint smile playing at his lips. His shirt was untu

come up," she said,

rb you," he replied. "Y

ebrow. "You've b

le. "Only long enough to know

have a habit of saying thi

e that's the architect in me. I lik

thes. For a while, neither spoke. The ocean murmured aro

didn't thank you properly. F

have to,"

people ask questions out of curi

"I know what it's li

sion softe

one who taught me everything I know. He died when I was nineteen - during an

d. "That's why you s

topped taking pictures, the memories would fade

ched her with that quiet intensity tha

said softly. "It just teache

aintly. "You s

I'm try

- a low, warm so

smell of the ocean and woodsmok

htful. "There's a place I want

ow

dded.

heartbeat before followin

-

s they moved away from the village. The path curved around a rocky outcrop and op

sunlight pooled across the

breath catchi

r her. "I come here when I nee

him. "You real

erstood what I wanted to build. Everyone else sees the

- the weight of his grief mingled with the peace of the sea. But as

tly. "Some things aren't mea

arm, steady. The touch sent a rush of

ply stood there - the air charged, t

ted to step back, to joke, to deflect. But she couldn

.." she

eyes dark, searching. "

't w

ou don't f

stole he

nd came. He took a step closer,

time I do, something brings you back. The rain. The river. Th

where they still

ly. "You don't have to say anything.

mask slipping - for once showing the man beneath the

ok. "Maybe that's

storm in his eyes soft

e dangerous,"

e took a step forward - slow, deliberate

blurred - the waves,

cheek, fingers tracing the edge of h

di

and rain between them. Time hung suspended - e

ed hers, a sudden voice ec

ai

y f

nt. "The village council needs yo

rashed over them like a wave. The warmth vanished, repla

rd the sound.

ietly, to her

he was gone, striding up t

her heart still racing. The ocean roared below,

to steady herself. The spot where his fi

ng at her sid

he sand - as if urging her to follow, to understand

terrifying clarit

matter how carefully he rebuilt his wa

meone like that, yo

ev