by H. A. Nicola
Now I invite you to take in a deep intake of breath for the count of five, really filling up your lungs and diaphragm as much as possible. Then I want you to hold the breath in for a count of five, and then I want you to release all of the breath until you feel light and empty. Okay? So, breathe in."
The class followed dutifully as Charlotte took in a deep intake of breath and counted for five seconds.
“Now hold the breath for a count of five…” The class fell silent as they retained the life-giving force that was now bottled up in their open, receptive bodies.
“And now I want you to just release… Let it all go…”
Here it was. The moment that Cayenne had been steeling herself for, going through the motions of the week on autopilot, just to get to this moment.
The moment that she could finally let it all go in a safe discreet realm. It wasn’t just about him; there were others, from childhood, fragments from previous relationships, but he was the symbol for all of it for the purposes of this moment. For letting it all go.
“Just be a witness to your thoughts and watch them sail by you,” Charlotte urged—her voice like a silky balm.
It was as though Cayenne were reading his torturous email afresh for the last time, watching the words float by overhead as she sat poised on her mat with her hands together in a solemn prayer. She read the words as they drifted away; and on every exhale, watched as the sentences slipped helplessly further into the distance, relinquishing their hold over her.
“Breathe in.”
"Hey, sorry for the late notice, but I’ve had a resignation in my team; and I’m now needed to spend a few weeks in Bruxelles of all places, at one of the other branches at short notice.
I am flying out later today. I will be away for a few months at least whilst we try and address the issues that are arising…"
“Nice guys, now hold the breath in for five…”
"So sorry. It really couldn’t be avoided.
I promise I’ll arrange PANORAMIC (my phone capitalises automatically now) on my return.
Please don’t be angry.
See you soon, my Queen."
“…and now I invite you to release… let it all go…”
The End???