Chapter 14: The Longing.

Olivia spent her time after Liam left feeling a constant and unmanageable desire that remained embedded in her life. Every corner of the house became silent while the days stretched endlessly long as if all the places around her conducted his absent presence through audible memories. During his absence, a hole existed inside her heart which created an everlasting pain she could not alleviate.

Through painting art, she attempted to find solace while moving her brush in a regular motion across the canvas. The painting surface transformed with various color patterns passing through energetic bright sections and slower subdued emotional areas. Through painting, she poured out what her heart wished to say and all that her mind kept hidden or unknown. Painting provided temporary relief but afterward, the dried colors exposed her true feelings about Liam who returned to her thoughts as the sea would return its tides.

The connection between them lived through their daily phone conversations which she valued above all else in her evenings. She devoted herself to listening to his voice while holding onto all his conversations which included their shared moments of laughter along with his commitments about their shared future. Out of all her moments of connection with Liam, each daily call has the same result of bringing back an old familiar hollowness that crushes down upon her after the phone call ends.

Every passing month brought new tests to her patience and required her to be resilient. Olivia spent many of her days leaning against the shore while the ocean wind enveloped her as she observed waves hitting the rocky terrain. At sunset, she had developed a private practice of looking at the sky for contemplation while sending her aspirations to the cosmos.

During that day which turned the sky into a blaze of gold pink and lavender shades, Olivia said a quiet prayer as she kept her eyes shut. Her voice disappeared into the wind while she made an earnest petition for strength. I need your help to wait for our reunion through this period of separation.

Because of her intuition, she understood that the yearning period would eventually conclude. The distance between Liam and his love would make their bond stronger after his return. Throughout the night she maintained hope because it acted as her guiding light through darkness.

Throughout each sunset, Olivia told herself that love creates a bridge across any distance while hearts destined for one another would naturally reunite.