Memories that brings back memories

Kenneth and Tanya stopped the car at the bar beach.

"I am sorry for making you see such a scene in my family" he said as he slipped some bear.

Tanya thought he was done and was about to say one more word, but he continued, "Actually, there's never been peace in my family. Just like when I was still in high school, we always quarrelled among each other"

Tanya sighed, she doesn't know why he was telling her all these. But she choose to listen him as they both sat by the beach.

"You know Tanya,I never hold any grudge with Ryan,I considered him my brother even though we're not from the same mother. But since we're Young, Ryan always wanted to get what I have. He has been competing with me since we're younger" He stopped.

Tanya looked at him and imagined how hurtful and painful it was to have such a brother. She never has a sibling, but Tanya could imagine how Kenneth must be trying to make him and his brother be on the same page.

She remembered him of course, Ryan Griffin. Always cold and aloof.

"So I'm sorry for getting you involved in my messy family life, you shouldn't worry about us tho" he said finally.

Tanya was silent and turned around to look at him, even though she was also sad and angry but she tried her best to understand that what happened at his house was not his fault having a stepmother is always very hard as she had a stepfather also and knows how wicked they could be.

"No no no no Ken, you don't have to apologise, it's normal for your family to have conflict. Nothing wrong they are your family I also have a family of my own too but my stepfather is also like your stepmother this is not what I expected though,but, still it's nothing you don't have to worry so much about it" She can't help but say.

Kenneth wasn't buying it, he continued his pleading, "I will not let you see what happened today again I swear it will never happen again. My family problem should be handled by me alone"

Tanya collected the beer bottle his hands and gulp almost all the contents in it in one go

Kenneth stared at her and smiled. He stood and went to get another beer from the store nearby.

"That reminds me, What about those scars on your arms? I noticed it's from a whip?" Kenneth asked upon his return and sat beside her.

"Oh that that's from stepfather when I was younger he beats me so much. Whenever mum asked him for my school fees or of I do anything wrong, he beats me severally" she explained trying to make it sound normal but in truth, she was very sad and hurt.

"I'm sorry" Kenneth muttered.

Tanya smiled beautifully, "C'mon Ken, it's not your fault, I have always wanted to run away from him too and I don't have that much good character either so he was justified for all he does why should you tell me sorry?"

Kenneth didn't know why, he took a gulp from the bottle in his hand and replied. "I don't know why, my childhood is just as bad as yours. I get everything I want, I don't get beaten, but at young age, I don't have the chance to experience what my age mates experience.... Tanya I never knew what childhood was like because I have to know alot of things beyond my age..."

He took another long sip. This time it was a very sad and emotional one.

Tanya felt tears trail down her face as she remembered her scattered childhood. She remembered her father who would care her im his arms while they'll both run around the compound smiling.

She remembered the day her father died, Tanya felt pained. Leaving his side, Tanya walked slowly towards the blue sea. Kenneth was there, looking at her every move, wondering what her thoughts were and why she was going towards the sea.

Before Kenneth could know it, Tanya was amidst the waves. Kenneth rushed to her and pulled her back.

Panic was written over over his face as he shouted, "What did you think you're doing Tanya? Why are you trying to get yourself killed?"

She struggled in his arms crying bitterly. "Let me end it here Kenneth! Seeing you and your family like this, remind me of myself. Kenneth I have faced alot... Frank gave me the hope to live again. He gave me love. But why did he cheat on me?" She sobbed still trying to wringe free from him.

Tanya fell back after much struggling and fell onto his chest and was lying In the cold seaside with her second hand, entangled with Kenneth Griffin's.

Her mind went blank for a moment before she remembered herself. This felt familiar as this situation she was, is similar to what happened to her in highschool.

She looked into his eyes while he was breathing heavily, "Hold on, hold on a little longer, you can't die now Tanya. You have to live if you have to die" He said.

Tanya stared at him. Those words came into her head slowly like someone drunk. "Hold on, hold on a little longer, you can't die now Tanya. You have live if your have to die" those words, she would never forget them.

"Have we met before?" She asked

Kenneth looked into her face and nodded, "Maybe"