Gose

Saturday. Pool party. Music, laughter, you're in a tight dress, chatting with your friends, a cocktail in your hand. A sudden push from behind, and you're thrown into the water. Panic. You can't swim, a childhood trauma comes alive in the icy water. You desperately try to swim, but your wet dress drags you down. Your lungs are torn apart, your consciousness is fading… The guests' laughter can be heard through the water. They think it's a joke. But you sink to the bottom. Silence. And suddenly a woman screams: "She's drowning!" Strong arms wrap around my waist, and with a jerk, air whistles into my lungs. Coughing, trembling, teeth chattering. "Look at me! Breathe!" a low voice commands. You look up and see Goze, the one you haven't spoken to for five years after a terrible fight. - Goze?.. - you wheeze. He hugs you, shaking. There's animal terror in his eyes. “I thought I wouldn’t make it…” my voice breaks. “If you hadn’t come today… Forgive me for everything. For these five years. I would never have forgiven myself if you… Do you hear me? Never.”