Moment

[Aardvark]

He saw her for the last time in the place they'd first met. By the side of a man made lake in the middle of a park. She was staring out over the water, silently, unmoving. This told him all he needed to know. She'd finally dumped that arsehole she'd left him for.

 

She knew he was watching her. She'd noticed him earlier, on his afternoon jog around the lake. This was where they'd first met. God, how she'd kicked herself for hurting him, but pride prevented her from running back into his arms. She knew they would open for her. She knew everything about him. Which made her even more ashamed. Which could be why she picked now, the half hour out of his day he'd devoted to his afternoon jog to come here and stare out over the water.

 

Should he say something? They hadn't spoken much since then. He'd been hurt, but he wasn't the fighting type. He'd just let her go. His reasoning had been he'd rather take the pain than hold her back. God, he'd been a fool. Hindsight and Afterthought had revealed the numerous occasions he could've ruined their relationship and taken her back. Still, he watched her.

 

Why didn't he come over? He knew this is where she went when she was upset.The waters of this accidental lake calmed her. She'd come here since childhood and hadn't known the history of this lake until she'd met him. A burst watermain, he'd told her. They'd never found it and had never been able to drain it properly. So they admitted defeat and built a park around it. She'd laughed then. Thinking back almost made her laugh, but he was still watching.

 

She hadn't moved. She must've seen him earlier. He knew her too well. Was she angry with him? Still devastated from being dropped by that bigshot with an expensive car? He thought he almost saw a tremble, once. Was she trying to ignore him? Or was she still as proud as ever... he smiled to himself.

 

She heard his jog start up again. He was leaving? She had to stand, say something. But she couldn't let herself. Despite her berating herself over and over, she still couldn't admit her mistake. She silently willed that he'd stop, pat her on the shoulder, or just slow down and call her name. Anything. Acknowledge me, she cried silently.

 

He jogged in a circle arc, just like he had the first time. She'd been sitting in that exact spot at this time, three years previously. To the day? It felt like it, but he rarely gave thought to such poetic romance notions. He saw her shoulders slump. She thought he was leaving. A small part of him wanted to leave. That small part wanted her to feel alone, abandoned. But he couldn't. Even after the long months without her...

 

Her spirits lifted. He was coming back. Just like the first time...She turned. Heavens, he hadn't changed a bit. Same boyish looks, same daggy outfit. God, she'd been a fool to let him go. She got to her feet as he approached.

 

He stopped. The two of them stared at each other, waiting for the other to make a decisive move. Endless moments.... he'd had too many of them in his life. This wasn't the time. He took the initiative and a step forward.

 

She saw him break the stillness first. Her ego was satiated. He was running back to her. Even though her heart said otherwise. She took one step, then another, slowly closing the gap between them.

 

He couldn't believe it. They were playing it out almost as it'd been the first time around. He reached out his hands. There'd been more words, years ago. And the whole encounter had lasted longer. But he didn't mind this silent, abridged replay.

 

She took his hands in hers, His grip was stronger than it had been. Making up for lost time, she thought. She smiled.

 

They locked gazes and stood together, both thinking the same thing. Why had it ended. Why had she left. How long would this last.

 

Their thoughts, their wishes, combined as one. An endless moment.

 

Their wish was heard. By whom, they would never know. But to them, time froze.

 

The pair were together, once more.

 

The ripples had frozen on the lake's surface. Children playing a short distance away were frozen in midair, reaching for a ball that would never come down.

 

Never to be separated.

 

Traffic around the park had come to a standstill. Drivers sat behind the wheels, unmoving. A pedestrian was frozen moments away from an accident. Lights were frozen, but the traffic wasn't moving, defeating their purpose.

 

Together.... frozen in an endless moment...

 

Around the world, the same image was repeated. Aircraft hung below the clouds, seacraft sat on frozen seas, all forms of transport stood still.

 

...Forever...

 

Continuing existence had ended for love.