aris had prepared everything.

she broke up with carlos through a short, emotionless message, so cold that even she felt unfamiliar with herself. she wrote her farewell letter with careful strokes, each word deliberate, as if she were completing one final essay rather than a goodbye.

she sent her little cat to a friend, leaving detailed instructions: what it liked to eat, where it liked to sleep, what sounds it hated, meticulous. she made sure everything was in order, like a responsible owner, even though she knew that after tonight, it would no longer be hers to care for.

she called her parents, listening to their voices longer than usual. she told them she loved them, that they were the best parents one could ever have. and when her father chuckled and said:

"you sound different today, aris."

she simply smiled and said nothing.

then, she checked everything on her wishlist.

she sat alone in a theater, watching her favorite film one final time. she sipped a final cup of hot cocoa at her usual café, gazing at the world passing by. she stood on a rooftop, letting the night breeze wrap around her in a silent farewell.

and now, she was here, standing on an old bridge, looking down at the endless darkness of the river below.

Under the water we can't breathe, we can't breathe
Under the water, we die
Under the water, there is no one watching
Under the water, we are alone

she closed her eyes. no one knew. no one cared.

except carlos had noticed.

she had been too calm. too meticulous. too eerily composed.

she had returned borrowed books without a word. she had erased every photo of them together, as though she wished to erase herself entirely. she had said goodbye too gently, without anger, without regret, without even the slightest hesitation.

and that was the most terrifying thing of all

a sickening dread crept into carlos's chest as he reread her last messages. he pieced together all the strange little details he had ignored, her lingering words, her vague posts, the quiet way she had withdrawn. he called her friends, trying to connect the dots.

then, he ran.

and when he saw her standing there, framed by the glow of flickering streetlights, his breath caught in his throat.

"aris!"

she startled, turning toward him. her brown eyes, lost and distant, reflected the golden glow of the lamps.

"what are you doing here?" she asked softly.

carlos didn't answer. he stepped forward, arms wrapping tightly around her as if he could keep her from slipping away.

"don't go."

the river wind was cold against their skin, but carlos still felt her warmth. his breath trembled. his heartbeat pounded violently.

"you're not alone," he whispered against her hair. "i'm here. i will always here."

the night shattered into silence.

aris didn't cry. had she not been ready? had she not prepared for this moment? but his warmth, his presence, his trembling voice made her hesitate.

a fleeting hesitation. small. unexpected.

and so, she did not jump.

perhaps today, aris had not died.

but maybe tomorrow, or some day not too far from now, there would be news of a young girl's body found beneath the deep river.

Hearts will dream again
Wash away the sins

521 words

shuu