"That bastard finally left. I almost lost it," Parez muttered, walking toward Rosa.
"What do you want? I don't remember calling you," Rosa said flatly, stepping away from him.
Parez let out a low, bitter laugh. "What's your deal, huh? Why are you so cold to me all of a sudden? The hell do you think you're doing? Trying to get with Cecilio?" His voice was rising, the alcohol on his breath thick in the air. "Answer me, Rosa! Don't just stand there!"
"And if I am?" Rosa shot back, her voice steady. "How is that your problem?"
"Fuck you!" Parez shouted, his face red with anger. "What happens to me then, huh?"
"We were never together, Parez. Don't live in an illusion."
"An illusion?" He let out a harsh laugh, stepping closer, eyes wild. "We were almost there! I almost had you. I've been here for eight years, Rosa. Eight fucking years
doing everything I could to love you. And that bastard just shows up at your door, and you forget I exist? I deserve you more than he does!"
He kicked the side table, sending it crashing to the floor.
"I've thought about that," Rosa said quietly, her tone calm but cutting. "About us. And why it would never work. You were with me for eight years, trying to force something that wasn't there. But Cecilio... he's loved me from afar for what feels like forever. He's always been two steps away, waiting for me to fall into his arms. It's always been him, Parez. You never had a chance."
Parez clenched his jaw so tightly Rosa thought it might break. His voice came out low and broken. "You're the most selfish person I've ever met."
"So are you," Rosa replied softly. "If that's all, please leave. And may our paths never cross again."
He walked to the door, hand on the handle. "You know," he said, not turning around, "Jacinto once told me that every time he prayed, he asked God one question: Do we get what we deserve? I didn't get it back then." He looked at her one last time. "But now I do. We do get what we deserve."
And with that, he left.
*****
Rosa hadn't called all day.
"Didn't she say she had my number?" Cecilio muttered, pulling his phone out again for what felt like the hundredth time.
"See you tomorrow, buddy," one of his coworkers said as he left. Cecilio barely nodded. His thoughts were elsewhere.
"I shouldn't have left her alone with Parez," he whispered to himself. "I made a huge mistake."
He unlocked his phone again
no messages. Not even a missed call.
"What's with the long face? You're gonna age quickly, you know."
Cecilio froze. That voice. He turned, and there she was
Rosa, standing in front of him, smiling softly. Without thinking, he pulled her into a tight hug.
"Did you miss me that much?" she said with a laugh.
Cecilio let her go, looking at her face like it was something he'd forgotten how to see. "You're smiling," he said quietly.
"So are you," Rosa replied, smiling wider.
He tried to remember the last time he'd seen her smile like that. He couldn't. It felt like forever. And as he looked at her now, something inside him just wanted to live longer
to see that smile again and again.
****
"You done here?" Rosa asked.
"Yeah," Cecilio said.
"Come on. Let's get out of here," she said, taking his hand.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
They walked in silence until they reached the beach. The full moon hung low over the water, lighting everything in silver.
"I didn't know there was a beach around here," Cecilio said, staring at the waves.
"Now you do," Rosa said, grinning. "Take your shoes off and come with me!"
She ran toward the sea, laughing like a child. Cecilio watched her for a second
it had been so long since he'd seen her that happy. Then he kicked off his shoes and followed.
The water was cold, but he didn't care. Rosa turned and held out her hand. He took it without hesitation. They waded deeper until only their heads were above water. Cecilio never let go.
What would happen to me if she disappeared again? he thought. Would the universe really be that cruel?
Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her. Tears spilled from his eyes as he did.
Rosa touched his face gently. "I'm right here, Cecilio," she whispered. "Stop thinking about losing me. If there's one thing I wish for, it's right here in front of me. It's you."
"I love you," Cecilio said softly, his voice trembling.
She smiled and pulled him close as the moonlight shimmered over the water.
*****
They lay side by side in the sand afterward, watching the waves roll under the pale moon.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Rosa said.
"Yeah. Very beautiful," Cecilio replied, eyes still fixed on her.
"I meant the moon," she said, smiling.
"And I meant you," he said simply. "Your eyes
they're brighter than the moon. The most beautiful I've ever seen."
"Quit flattering me," she said, trying to hide her blush.
"The waves whispered secrets to the shore as Cecilio's lips found hers again
soft at first, then hungry, like he wanted to memorize her. Rosa arched into him, fingers tangled in his hair, breath hitching as his mouth trailed down her neck, slow and worshipful. Every kiss was a promise; every touch, a confession too deep for words.
He looked into her eyes
dark with longing
and whispered her name like it was sacred. She nodded, trembling not from cold but need. He lowered her gently onto the sand still warm beneath its surface coolness.
His hands trembled too now
not from urgency but reverence as he touched her for the first time completely bare under moonlight that painted silver across their skin.
'Rosa,' he breathed. 'Tell me I'm dreaming.'
'You're not,' she answered, pulling him close. 'We're real.'
And when they joined
the world hushed: no sound but breaths melting into moans and hearts beating like tide drums
they didn't move at first
just held each other tightly
as if this moment wasn't just passion...
but coming home."
After a long silence cecilo asked "
how was it with parez?"
There was no answer. He looked over and saw that she was already asleep.
He brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her forehead.
"I wish the sun would never rise," he whispered. "I don't want to hear a phone buzz, or fall asleep. I just want to dream with my eyes open and live in this moment with you."
He watched her sleep until dawn crept over the horizon.
When Rosa opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was him. Still there. Still watching her.
"Morning," she said softly, smiling.
"Morning," Cecilio whispered back, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips.