“Of all the regrets, the worst one to bear is that of things left unsaid”
Plop! The pebble falling in the brook stirred ripples across the surface of the water breaking his reflection into a thousand little pieces. He smiled at the thought of how the ripples reflected the mindless swirl of his thoughts. His pending decision still troubled him. Anonymity or Infamy; which path should he choose? He had always been a practical man, every action of his thought-out and measured, every consequence taken into consideration especially its effects on his family and friends. Would what he did adversely affect those closest to him? That had been the most important factor in his every decision and once again it threatened to hold him back. Reflecting on all of the choices he had made he saw that they had been for the best, the best for everyone else. And what did he get in return? Anonymity, anguish, melancholy, suffering and always that nagging little voice in the back of his head: ‘what if I had done things differently?’ That nagging little voice didn’t let him sleep, didn’t let him eat, he had lost all focus. His whole life felt scattered like ashes, his entire existence surrounded by the dark fog of regrets. Society had upheld him as the model son, brother, husband and father. Everyone wanted to be him; except him. Ah the delicious irony! The thought put a wry smile on his lips.
Every fiber of his being rebelled against the thought of what he wanted to do. Going against the norms of society, endangering the name and reputation of both himself and those associated with him. But oh the seduction of infamy! It held his heart in a death grip, fevered his thoughts, suppressing the very voice of his conscience. As the seconds grinded by the nagging little voice grew louder and louder shutting out all other sounds. He deserved this, after everything he had done and given up, he deserved this little slice of happiness! His resolve firmed and he felt his fists tighten and heard his knuckles crack. As the ripples coalesced back into his reflection the dark desire for this lust for infamy filled his being and overcame all resistance. When he looked at himself again he saw a glow surround him and with the tears flowing freely he realized that he had made his decision. On the other side of the brook happiness waited for him, She waited for him. She, who set his soul on fire, who ignited faded passions, made him feel more alive than he had ever felt. With his heart racing and pumping life into his veins a thousand fold faster than it ever had he set his pack on his shoulders and began crossing the brook.
In the dying light of the setting sun he saw her. Silhouetted against the reddish-violet sky, he saw her see him approach. Her eyes lighted up and her lips unfolding into a beatific smile quickened his steps. In a few long strides he reached her and took her in his arms. He marveled at how her soft curves fit into his arms so perfectly. He looked into her big brown eyes and felt himself drown in that endless sea of chocolate. He then kissed her tenderly. The feel of her soft lush lips against his made him tremble with desire. He had dreamt of this moment for so long that he felt his heart might pound itself out of his chest with joy. After what seemed like an eternity he straightened with her still in his arms. Both of them trembling and panting as if they had run for miles. She rested her head against his chest and he wished that he could stay frozen in this moment forever. She looked up at him and he opened his mouth to say the words that he had held back from her all his life. But instead what came out was a sharp, high-pitched scream and as he staggered back from her clutching his chest he thought that his heart had really burst. As the darkness closed around him the only regret he had was for the words that were left unsaid.
