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The sun was slowly sinking into the horizon, casting a soft orange glow over the village. The wind carried the scent of salt from the nearby Indian ocean, a reminder that they weren’t far from the coast. Kito felt it wash over him as he walked through the narrow streets of their small town, his heart heavy with a mix of gratitude and longing.
He was on his way to see her—Mercy, the woman who had changed his life in ways he hadn’t thought possible. It had been just two years, but in that time, she had become his anchor, his reason to smile at the beginning and end of each day. There was something about her calm demeanor, the way she moved through life with grace, that had captivated him from the moment they met.
Kito still remembered the first time he saw her. She had been seated at a small wooden stall at the local market, selling handmade baskets. Her face was calm, her eyes sharp yet kind. She had spoken to customers with a soothing tone, never hurried, never flustered. He was drawn to her before he even knew her name.
And now, here he was, two years later, walking toward the same small house where she lived, his heart beating faster with every step. The memory of her sweet words echoed in his mind, the way she’d reassure him whenever he felt overwhelmed with the world around him. It was Mercy’s voice that calmed him, her presence that made everything feel right.
As Kito reached her house, he saw her standing at the doorway, her slender figure silhouetted against the fading light. She smiled when she saw him, and that smile—it was like the sun itself, warm, gentle, and full of life.
“Come in,” she said softly, her voice as calming as ever.
Kito stepped inside, the familiarity of her home comforting him instantly. The walls were adorned with simple decorations—shells she had collected from the beach, baskets she had woven herself, and paintings of sunsets that she loved so much.
They sat down together on the couch, Mercy reaching out to hold his hand. There was always this quiet understanding between them, as though words weren’t necessary to communicate their feelings. Kito often marveled at how well she knew him, how she could sense his moods without him uttering a single word.
“You seem tired,” she said, her thumb gently brushing over his knuckles. “What’s on your mind?”
Kito sighed, leaning back slightly. “Work, life… everything feels heavy lately.”
Mercy nodded, her eyes full of understanding. “You carry too much on your shoulders, Kito. You don’t have to do it alone.”
Her words, as always, brought him peace. He felt the tension begin to slip away as he looked into her eyes, those eyes that seemed to hold the wisdom of generations. She was more than just a lover; she was his confidante, his pillar of strength.
Kito remembered the countless times she had comforted him like this—her soft voice soothing his worries, her gentle touch reminding him that he was never alone. She had a way of making everything feel less overwhelming, as though the world was just a little kinder when she was by his side.
“You’re right,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Mercy smiled again, a small, knowing smile that told him she understood the depths of his emotions without needing to ask. She leaned closer, resting her head on his shoulder, and for a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There was only them, in this quiet room, wrapped in the warmth of their shared love.
“I’ll always be here,” she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. “No matter what.”
Kito closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the comfort of her presence. He couldn’t imagine his life without Mercy. She had become the air he breathed, the steady rhythm in his heart. Every moment they spent together only deepened his love for her, a love that felt boundless and eternal.
There was a moment of silence, the kind that spoke volumes, and then Kito took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Mercy,” he began, his voice soft, “I don’t say this often enough, but I want you to know… I love you more than words can say. You are everything to me.”
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, and smiled. “And I love you, Kito. With all my heart.”
In that moment, Kito realized that Mercy wasn’t just a part of his life—she was his life. She was the quiet strength he relied on, the gentle love that filled his days with warmth and light. Losing her was a thought he couldn’t bear to entertain, and he knew, deep in his soul, that there was no one else in the world who could ever make him feel the way she did.
As the night grew darker outside, Kito held her close, his heart full of gratitude for this incredible woman. Mercy’s love was his greatest gift, her gentle touch his greatest comfort. And as long as she was by his side, Kito knew he could face anything the world threw at him.
Because love, as Mercy had shown him, was the most powerful force of all. And with her, he had everything he needed.
