The waves crashed at the shore, a usual, peaceful occurrence. The smell of the sea is one he would never forget as long as he lived.

Unconsciously drawing little nothings on the sand, he waited for her to show up. No matter how much he loved the sea, it could not calm down the storm in his heart.

Another time when she didn't show up, leading to the promise being broken yet again. The disappointment flooded him, making his heart feel heavier than usual. The power of love was immense- it could take you to the highest peak of your life, just to push you down into a dark abyss.

Memories of the olden days flashed, revealing a smile so bittersweet. The days when they didn't hesitate to show each other their care, admiration, and love.

Sighing, he got up and dusted the sand off of him. There was no point in waiting any longer. The darkness of the night embraced the sea, leaving little light from the crescent moon to guide my way.

Locking the door behind him, he quietly sighed yet again in disappointment. Her shoes were near the doorstep, a sign that she was at the house.

Walking inside, he pursed his lips in disappointment as he saw her on the couch, texting someone on the phone.

"You're back?" She muttered, not taking her eyes off the screen. "Where were you? I was waiting."

Something in him couldn't take it any longer. His heart raged in pain and anger, wanting to let out the storm that promised destruction. And for once, he decided to let it have its way.

"So was I." He let out, annoyance clear in his tone. That made her look up in surprise, an eyebrow raised in response.

"Do you even remember what today is?" He asked, not bothering to hold back the anger creeping into his voice.

She looked confused, contemplating silently before it struck her. Her eyes widened slightly, her mouth opening to spew more excuses- just like before.

"Save it." He snarled, placing the bag on the table beside her. It landed with a soft thud, because no matter what, he couldn't let anything happen to this.

"4 years. You missed the same day for 4 years. And every time it's the same excuse. 'I was busy, you can't expect me to remember everything, can you?' Well is it that hard to set a reminder once in a while? Why make promises that you can't keep anyway?"

She clenched her jaw, her eyes flashing in a way he knew all too well. Whatever she would say next was well-tailored to hurt him.

"Let's not forget that we have this day because of you." She spat out, not willing to back down. "If you hadn't tried to end it all that day, we wouldn't be here celebrating your insignificant life. Not everyone gets applauded for breathing and doing the bare minimum, you know? And maybe if you had finished what you started back then, I wouldn't be here stuck with you!" She yelled, accidentally knocking down the bag beside her in a fit of rage. It fell onto the floor and shattered, revealing broken shards of glass.

The air in the room chilled as they both turned frigid. The silence seemed as though it wasn't real, as the words she said echoed in their minds, only getting louder with each passing second.

"I'm leaving." He said quietly, not looking at her anymore. "Don't expect me back." Taking his coat, he walked out briskly, praying that the tears wouldn't fall in front of her.

She stayed unmoving as the door shut close, leaving her all alone with the mess she created. Not knowing what to do or where to even begin, she bent down on the floor to pick up the broken shards.

Her heart skipped a beat as she pushed aside the paper bag to reveal a framed painting she knew all too well.

It was the first piece of art she made for him. Back when she found out he almost left her forever, she felt helpless and wanted to do anything she could to help. And so she decided to do what she did best- express herself through art.

Spending several sleepless nights on this piece, she nervously gave it to him as a gift after a few days had passed from that incident. His usually blank eyes filled with a rare, warm emotion as he clutched the painting like it was a treasure.

She had painted both of them, with her holding his hand and leading him into a path of light. He was still within reach of the shadows, but with her, he seemed to be going towards the light.

"I just want you to remember that you're wanted and loved." She said quietly, looking at his eyes. "And I'll always be grateful that you're still breathing. You deserve nothing but happiness and love, and I promise to show you a life that you won't regret, as long as you give me a chance."

That was the first time in years that he felt so cherished. And so their love blossomed into something memorable. They bought a place near the ocean where he always found peace, and started a life together.

In the beginning, it was perfect. There was nothing that either of them would change. They both felt as content and happy as they could possible be.

But the years passed, and the love became burdensome. Her heart grew heavier with resentment, feeling as though she signed her dreams away in haste. No one asked her to, it was her own decision. She had given up her passion for him.

But she couldn't help but blame him for the well-paying job that she never wanted. There were no more smiles and laughter in that house, only the haunting hollowness of the empty promise remained.

Yet he was there for her every step of the way, fulfilling her promise as though it was his vow to her instead. He tried his hardest to make her life easier and better, the guilt gnawing at him as he felt responsible for her actions. It didn't feel like a relationship anymore. She thought it felt more like a mere responsibility and obligation for both of them.

But the love he had for her never faded, she realized, as tears of regret fell onto the exposed canvas.

Her heart steeled in determination as she rushed out of their home, leaving her shoes in haste as she went to find him. Things would change for the better, and she'll be there for him, just like he was all along.

They would always celebrate the day near the shore, marking another year that he made it through the darkness. It was a routine to watch the waves crash as the beautiful sunset made the sea blush a pretty pink.

"The sky and the sea are lovers." She remembered him saying, making her laugh in confusion. "How so?" She asked him, playing with his hair as he laid his head on her lap.

"Look at them." He said, smiling. "As the distance grows, you can see that the sea and sky embrace. The love of the sky reflects onto the sea, and they share a beautiful fate. They can never truly part. The sky may cry in pain, but the sea holds in all of its tears. Their love is selfless, a true natural phenomenon."

"Let me be your sea then." She said after a moment of silence. He looked up and met her eyes, filled with sincerity. "And you, my sky."

His face lit up like the morning sun, making her heart warm up. A silent promise was made that day, one that was broken over and over with time.

She now ran through the darkness, clouds hiding the brightness of the moon. She would find him eventually- the sky and the sea could never truly part.

Hours passed, and her legs hurt from the endless searching, but it was nothing compared to the aching of her heart. The sea longed to be with the sky once again.

Alas, not all wishes are granted. A gloomy morning greeted her, and his absence could not be ignored. Walking back, she entered the house in some hope that he was back.

The hope turned into sorrow as she didn't spot his shoes, making her tear up. The last time she had felt this helpless was when he first tried to end it all. She had hoped such a day would never come back.

As she entered the room, she noticed a change. The shattered glass pieces were swept away. The canvas was laid on the table, along with a note.

Relief flooded her entire body as she realized he must be back. She called out his name, only to be met with silence.

Terror slowly crept through her as she walked towards the canvas and the note. Grabbing it, her knuckles turned white and the paper creased under the tight grip of her hand. She read every word slowly, anxiety eating her from the inside.

"Love, I'm sorry it came to this. I should have never brought you into my mess, even if you insisted. I should have known that it was too much, but I held onto the childish hope that one day you'll love me the same. My selfishness cost you your passion and happiness, and I can never forgive myself for that. I wish for nothing more but for you to live your life again to the fullest. Don't even think of blaming yourself...no no no." She muttered, desperately hoping the last lines weren't true.

Don't even think of blaming yourself, and forget me. Don't cry over me, and live every day as you wish. I will always be there for you, even if you can't see me. The sky can never truly part from the sea...I'll always watch over you. I promise.

And just like that, he was gone.

Her knees felt weak, wobbling until they couldn't support the weight of the guilt. She was wrong. How could she ever live without him? He made her smile on the worst days, loved her and forgave her for his mistakes, and now she would never see him again.

The sea begged for the sky to come back, but they just weren't meant to be together the way she desired.

Her cries resembled the waves crashing in a storm, wailing in pain. She felt herself drown in inexplicable pain- she had lost a part of her that she can never get back. She was punished for her mistakes.

Decades passed by, and she tried her hardest to live like he said. However, most nights were spent crying, screaming, pleading for him to come back. And when there were no tears, her heart cried loud enough to silence everything around her.

What he didn't know was her life could never be happy without him in it. He was the sun to her gloom, the moon to her night, and the stars to her now empty eyes.

By his leaving, she was cursed to live the rest of her life as an empty shell until Death took pity and embraced her, reuniting them for eternity...

...for the sky and the sea could never truly part.

-end.