Lovers Point Beach, located on California's Monterey Peninsula, was a beautiful place known for its peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty. The shining sunlight reflected on the sea, and rows of palm trees stood along the shore. A small island in the middle of the ocean made the place perfect for couples.
Elizabeth happily dipped her feet into the clear blue water. The cool sea breeze and beautiful surroundings made her feel free and alive again. It felt like a new beginning where all pain and limitations disappeared.
"Your dress will get wet, Elokeshi. Don't go too far," Takbir said.
Elizabeth was not far from the shore at all. She stood near the beach and played with the water, smiling brightly like a carefree young girl. Lifting her sky-blue floral gown slightly, she looked back at Takbir and teased,
"If this dress gets wet, can't you buy me another one?"
Takbir smiled softly. He was standing behind her, holding her shoes. His eyes were full of affection as he watched her from head to toe.
Like always, he had matched his clothes with hers. He wore a beach shirt with the same pattern as her gown. His sunglasses rested on his face, and a few buttons of his shirt were open. His curly hair danced in the sea breeze.
Looking at him, one could never believe dark-skinned men were not handsome. Takbir's deep eyes looked as vast as the ocean itself, and even his small smile seemed to brighten everything around him.
Hearing Elizabeth's words, he bit his lip to hide his smile.
"If I could buy this entire beach just so no one else could see your beauty, would buying another dress be difficult for me?"
But, like always, he kept those words inside his heart.
"I have nothing to say, madam."
Elizabeth laughed cheerfully.
"Thank you for bringing me here. I really love this place."
"You didn't want to come at first."
"Good thing you forced me."
Takbir simply watched her. Last night, Elizabeth had locked herself inside her hotel room and refused to open the door. The next morning, worried, Takbir had used a spare key from the hotel staff and found her acting strangely. That was why he had brought her here.
"You have very good taste," Elizabeth said.
"Of course I do," Takbir replied. "Otherwise, would I have liked you?"
Elizabeth made a face.
Even without seeing her expression clearly, Takbir understood and laughed.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked.
"I'm not."
"Liar."
"You've become very clever."
"I was born clever."
She started collecting seashells from the shore.
"Why are you taking those?" Takbir asked.
Elizabeth ignored him and continued gathering shells.
"Elokeshi, don't be childish. They're sharp. You might hurt yourself."
She stopped and turned around with her hands on her waist.
"What do you mean childish? Are you changing my gender now?"
Takbir immediately burst into laughter.
"Okay, okay. Sorry. Don't act like a little girl. Put them down before you cut your hand."
Surprisingly, Elizabeth obeyed and dropped them.
Takbir's heart melted at her small act of obedience.
A moment later, she let her hair loose, spread her arms like wings, and started running across the beach.
Takbir sighed and ran after her.
The setting sun painted the sky golden. The two of them ran across the soft sand while waves crashed nearby. Elizabeth's laughter echoed through the air, and her red hair flowed wildly in the wind.
Their footprints remained on the sand, telling a story of love, only for the waves to wash them away moments later.
Eventually, both stopped from exhaustion.
"When will you grow up?" Takbir asked while breathing heavily.
"I'm already grown up."
"Oh really?"
"If I had married at the proper age, by now my daughter could have married your son."
Takbir laughed.
"That wouldn't work. Our children wanted to be siblings, not husband and wife. That's why neither of us got married on time."
Elizabeth suddenly became quiet.
"You know... you've become one of the people I trust most."
Takbir looked at her deeply.
"One day, just like this, I'll make your whole heart mine."
"And if you can't?"
His smile disappeared.
Looking toward the sea, he said softly,
"Then I'll lose myself and disappear in the pain of separation."
Elizabeth shivered.
"What are you saying?"
Takbir changed the topic.
"Come, let's sit."
In the middle of the beach, a beautiful arrangement had been prepared. White sheets covered the sand. Snacks, juice, cake, a guitar, and bunches of white roses were carefully placed there.
Elizabeth's eyes widened.
"When did you do all this?"
Takbir remained silent.
"Every moment I spend with you feels like it was planned with great care beforehand."
Takbir smiled quietly.
Then he murmured,
"I loved you secretly and delayed going home because I wanted to take you with me."
Elizabeth heard him.
"Sing me a song," she requested.
Without hesitation, Takbir picked up the guitar and began playing.
His voice blended with the sound of the waves, creating a magical atmosphere.
Elizabeth listened in complete admiration and clapped excitedly when he finished.
"Your voice is beautiful."
After spending more time talking, Takbir suddenly said,
"Hey, tie your hair."
Elizabeth looked at him.
"Why?"
"Because your messy hair is creating a storm inside me."
Elizabeth lowered her head shyly.
After a moment of silence, she asked,
"You keep staring at me all the time. Don't you get tired?"
Takbir rested his chin on his hand.
"My eyes may get tired sometimes, but my heart never does."