The two walked on the pebbled shore and the sea was calm while the sun was setting in the background. They had only come out of his family’s cottage some time before that and were strolling hand in hand. The scene was so calm it felt like I was in a state of a dream. Oliver looked her way, a grin forming on his lips. “You look quite comfortable here,” he whispered. “It’s like you’re in the right place at the right time.” Gazing at the water, she frowned a little. “It’s strange,” she said, holding his hand. To my surprise, I have never thought that I could attain such kind of serenity. Not after everything. But now… it’s almost as if life brought me here on purpose.” Oliver chuckled. “I would like to think that I had a little something to do with it.” She laughed, and pushed him gently on his side. “Maybe just a little.” They stood and watched the waves. Oliver looked at her and became serious. “Phoebe… I know you’ve been through a lot. But… One day, you are forced to be strong an

“I never really spoke to you about my family, did I?” he asked looking at me and his voice was soft. She glanced at him, feeling that there was much more than what he actually said. “No, but I’d love to hear about them.” Your stories are like parts of you that I am yet to come across. He grinned and nodded, but his face was still serious. ‘My father was a fisherman,’ he started. “Not the sort who ventured out into the vast deep-sea but the sort who remained right on the edge of the shore.” He loved this coast and he knew the rocks and the currents as if it was yesterday. He used to take me for a small fishing trip and I would sit on the boat for hours listening to him narrate stories of the ocean. Some of them were real, some… well, let’s just say that he was a great orator.” Phoebe listened, captivated. “I think you were friends.” Oliver just nodded, and for a moment there was a brief look of sorrow in his eyes. “We were, but… he passed when I was thirteen. A heart attack. It was

Phoebe let her gaze drift towards the wild shore for a moment before she and Oliver were lost in stillness again on the porch. She was aware that indecision was still rolling over her like inclement weather, but there was this calm after the storm sort of a feeling as if the tides themselves were coming to terms with her decision. Finally, Oliver spoke, raising his voice to an almost whisper. “Phoebe, if it gets to be too much if they keep pushing and you need a break then you can come here.” It’s okay to remain, the pressure is not compulsory.” She got closer to him saying ‘I was shocked but the look on your face now makes me feel naked yet protected.’ ”I know,” she said, almost in a whisper of thankfulness. “To be here… with you… I think this is the first time I was given the choice.” He moved closer and enfolding her hand into his, he gave it a comforting squeeze. “Then let this place be our sanctuary,” he whispered. “We will wait for whatever will happen but we will do it when

Phoebe was still standing on the porch, breathing heavily, after the moment of silence. Christian’s car was gone down the driveway but the energy of his anger and pain did not dissipate and filled the air around the cottage. She was conscious of the fact that Oliver was standing beside her, his hand was near her, in a position that he could catch her if she were to faint. The night was quiet and the silence was filled with things that were never said. And at last he looked her full in the face, with an expression of quiet inquiry. “Are you okay?” She gasped, feeling how her chest was constricted. “I… I don’t know.” She laughed a little but it was forced and even to her it sounded so. That is why I was shocked when he showed up here.” Not like this.” Oliver simply nodded as his face grew stern. “It’s understandable. He has been in your live for years.” Phoebe stood hugging her arms across her chest, as if she was trying to protect herself from the nakedness of the occurrence. “Well

Oliver listened, holding his stare as they strolled, the sand in the beach a little cold and firm to the touch. The sea was calm; the waves gently hit the beach, their sound resonated through the silence of her speaking. He gently grasped her hand and it was as if he wanted her to continue talking, to let go of the burden she had been bearing for so long. “It is quite mind blowing Phoebe,” He said softly to her. “That you are not waiting for someone to bring you happiness, that you are happy with yourself. And I think, once you really believe it, everything else will follow, somehow. That’s when you will start to look at the world from a different perspective. She stared at him, a frown of deep, serious consideration on her face. “It’s a relief, in a way. But it’s also scary. I’ve spent so much time being… what others expected. I think I’m even losing touch with who I am without all of that.” Oliver stopped, looking at her, their fingers still interlocked. ‘You are a strong person,