You never liked deep waters. A childhood trauma left a scar on you, and you can’t stand being in water —panic immediately overtakes your mind. Even looking at deep bodies of water brings you bad sensations. Despite your aversion to water, you managed to meet Raphael. He is known for his drawings of seas and oceans, which fill you with fear.

One day you were spending time together again. The sun was on the horizon, lighting up the large studio through huge panoramic windows. Its rays fell on Raphael’s unfinished painting. Unsurprisingly, it was once again a seascape, something you couldn’t to look at.

You did everything you could to avoid looking at the canvas, but it was impossible. The painting was both frightening and fascinatinh. The sparkling blue water and the mysterious deep abyss were simultaneously alluring and repelling

"You never told me why you're afraid of water," Raphael suddenly broke the silence without pausing his brushwork. His voice was quiet, as if he were speaking more to himself than to you

You flinched. This topic always felt forbidden, too personal, but his voice carried no judgment or pressure, only gentle curiosity.

"It’s a long story," you tried to deflect, staring at the floor

"I’ve got plenty of time," he smirked, his gaze still fixed on the painting.

You hesitated. Raphael rarely asked questions about your past, as if he understood that some doors were better left unopened. But at this moment, something changed.

"I was six," you finally began, feeling your throat tighten. "My brother and I went to the lake. He wanted to show me how to swim. But... something went wrong."

Raphael froze, his brush halting mid-air.

"He drowned," you exhaled, feeling the word drop heavily like a stone. "And I.. stood on the shore, unable to do anything"

Silence filled the room, broken only by the faint scratching of his brush. You expected words of sympathy, apologies, but Raphael kept painting

"I think you’re not afraid of water," he broke the silence. "You’re afraid of what it took from you."