BEAUTY

The sand felt cool beneath my bare feet. I squeezed my toes and revelled in the cool, grainy touch. My shoes lay abandoned far behind me; I now walked calmly in the beautiful night, the tranquil sea breeze slowly draining away fears of consequence and the ensnared feeling of my family’s etiquette. I walked closer to the ocean, feeling the salty water gently ballet around my ankles and then tauntingly recede, as if daring me to follow it back into the depths and dance forevermore.

The breeze seemed to whisper my name as it caressed my hair; Lydia, Lydia…I stopped walking and simply stood still, closing my eyes as starlight kissed my face. Lydia, Lydia, come to me…The breeze was a gentle purr in my ear. Lydia, ignore me no longer… ‘A whispering breeze,’ I mused, ‘I must be going mad.’ If this was the case, then dementia was bliss.

I heard a sweet splash in front of me; opening my eyes, it was then I realized I was not alone.

“Lydia.”

“Hello.” I found myself speaking, although my lips did not move. An angel stood before me, the water up to his neck. He had black hair, lots of it, shiny and smooth. His face cradled a gentle smile. The man, angel, seemed familiar to me; his presence was like an old friend, faithful and forever.

“Who are you?” Again, the words seemed to spill unknowingly off my tongue. The angel’s smile grew wider.

“I am the Sea. I am Aquarius. I am your saviour, Lydia.”

His voice sent chills down my spine, seductive and gentle, with a fierce beauty. I found myself stepping into the sea, the salty water swirling around my legs.

“Hello again, Aquarius,” I whispered as I walked deeper into the ocean, walked closer to the strange aquatic angel. He smiled and opened his arms to welcome me. The water was up to my chin as the angel embraced me.

“I will show you the sea, Lydia,” he gently whispered as he took me in his arms. I smiled and let him carry me out to deeper waters. The light of the full moon above seemed to illuminate the path we tread through the water.

Were we spinning as we drifted through the sea? Was I in a dream? Would I find myself awake, safe in bed, with the morning sun on my sheets when I opened my eyes?

I didn't want to find out - reality didn't matter, for once the music of the sea begins to play, there is no reality.

We danced, Aquarius and I, for what seemed to be both eternities and minutes simultaneously. The last thing I remember of that night is the Sea, that wonderful man, kissing me sweetly before I closed my eyes again and knew no more.

I was in the ocean’s grasp, and I was grasping back.