Sometimes, life is funny.
Actually, let me rephrase that. Life is constantly trying to be funny, when in fact, it has the worst humor ever. Where's the joke? Help me look for it. There really is nothing to laugh about.
But then again, maybe, it's just me. Maybe I am the problem. Maybe I am the one who hasn't got any sense of humor at all.
That's why I decided to leave... or rather, run away. I just couldn't take it anymore. I feel like I am drowning, and the more I try to stay on the surface, the more I am being dragged deeper and deeper. So instead of losing my breath from trying to reach the peak of a mountain, here I am, counting the length of time I could hold my breath underwater. What a way to start my day.
After 15 seconds of self-torture, I decided to go back to the shore. I am not fond of sand sticking on my skin and clothes especially when I am soaked, but what choice do I have? Sand is literally everywhere. I just grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my body as I took a spot under a tree. I leaned my back on it, taking in the silence. It was still dark.
When I got here yesterday, the person who assisted me to my cabin shared that one of her favorite things about this place is the sunrise by the beach. I am not a big fan of sunsets or sunrises and everything else about the sky, although I do find lightnings fascinating from afar. But I was already here, so might as well enjoy it.
I was playing scenarios in my head when I noticed someone sit on the sand, a few meters away from me. The sun hasn't risen yet, so I wasn't sure whether or not he noticed that there was actually someone sitting not too far from him. He seemed to be occupied by whatever he was tinkering with, so I decided to stay silent while glancing to his direction from time to time. I soon realized that he was scanning through the photos in his camera.
My view of his camera screen was not super clear, so I unknowingly started to stare, curious about his shots. I am not very certain, but I think they were mostly landscapes. I wasn't sure how long I was staring, when suddenly, the camera shifted, giving me a better look. That made me turn my attention the his face, and to my surprise, our eyes met.
I internally panicked but still managed to give him a small smile and a soft, "Good morning." I had to act cool because looking embarrassed is far more embarrassing. I returned my gaze towards the horizon.
"Good morning," I heard him say.
I looked at him and he was smiling. I am not cut for small talks, so I just nodded and smiled back. The cold wind blew harder, so I tightened the towel around me as I hugged my knees. I should have changed into dry clothes, but that would mean more clothes would catch these annoying sand. No, thanks.
"Are you waiting for the sunrise?" he asked after a moment.
"Yup. How about you?" I asked back.
"Me, too. I like collecting photos of the sky," he responded while lifting his camera a little bit.
"Oh. Uhhh... Sorry for staring at your screen earlier, in case you found it weird or creepy."
"Nah, it's alright. Wanna have a closer look?
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, sure. Just don't judge me for the bad shots. I'm not a professional."
"Deal."
He moved a little closer to hand me his camera, and I stretched my arm to reach for it, still keeping a distance between us. I scrolled through his gallery, and there were a bunch of photos of the sky, taken during the different time of the day. I paused on one particular picture and studied it for a while. It was a sunset photo, which seemed like it was taken from a mountain. The sky was a mixture of orange and pink and purple hues, with silhouettes of tree branches and leaves peeking at one side.
When I reached the last photo, I handed him back his camera.
"So, what do you think?"
"They're all nice. Maybe you are indeed good at taking pictures, or maybe the sky is really just naturally beautiful in any angle or lense."
"I don't know if you just complimented me or -"
"It was a compliment."
"Oh, thank you." I heard him chuckle.
The sun continued to hide, refusing to give light to the sky. Just like me, slowly being consumed by the dark. I tried to recall my brighter days, but they now seem too far away. I couldn't even remember the last time I laughed or smiled genuinely. Why do others make it look so easy? How are some able to play with the angry waves, when people like me feel like we'll be eaten by the shallow still waters?
I continued to wonder with my eyes closed, as I tried to pretend that the sound of the waves coming back and forth give me comfort. It could be my lullaby, too, right?
Seconds or minutes have passed when I heard his voice again.
"Do you always wait for the sunrise?" he asked.
I opened my eyes, but instead of looking at him, I watched how my toes disappeared in the sand.
"Not really. I just watch it when I can," I answered. He stayed silent for a while, so I figured I should ask him back.
"You?"
"Yeah, I do. And sunsets, too. But it's not because of some poetic, romantic reasons. I just like them for their colors and cloud formation. I have taken countless photos of the sky, but each of them has their unique colors and hue. The clouds never look the same twice either."
"Do they make you happy? The colors?" I glanced at him. It was no longer completely dark, so I saw how he seemed to be pondering on my question.
"I think so. Or maybe the idea that I got to capture them is what makes me happy." I gave his answer a thought.
"Have you ever wondered why people tend to romanticize sunrises and sunsets, as if these time of the day give them life?"
He didn't answer, so I continued.
"Well, I agree that they are pretty and such, but what if behind that beauty, the sun actually feels like shit because people only appreciate it when it is beautiful and gentle? But when it is scorching hot, people wish it to get lost."
A dull light slowly washed away the darkness. Pints of blue, yellow and pink started to spread across the sky. It was particularly the brightest behind a big ball of cloud. I looked at him, and he, too, was staring at the scenery before us.
"What's your name?" he asked, filling in the silence.
"Summer," I replied. "But that's not my real name."
"Oh. Okay? Uhhh... I'm -"
"You should give me a fake name, too."
"Like what?"
"I don't know. Something you like?"
"Ummm... Camera?"
"You want me to call you, Camera?"
"Wait, no. Let me think of something else."
While he was contemplating on his perfect fake name, I looked around and noticed that there were a few more people out in the shore now. There was a couple walking hand-in-hand at a far distance, and another group of three was sitting on a bench. Smoke was coming out from the mugs on their hands. I wonder if they were having coffee, chocolate drink, tea or milk. Now, I want my iced coffee.
More seconds passed when a big wave came, causing a loud splash on the...
"Rock!" I suddenly exclaimed, a bit louder than I intended to.
"What?" he asked with confusion painted all over his face.
"Rock! That's your fake name."
"Rock? Why?"
"No reason." I pointed at the nearest rock formation. "I just saw the wave splashing on the rocks over there and thought that Rock would be cool name."
He chuckled again before saying, "Okay, then. I'm Rock," he paused. "But that's not my real name."
As the bright sun finally took its place up above us, I smiled. I think, quite genuinely this time.
Writer's note:
I am super happy to share this short story with you! It has been soooo loooong since I last wrote a story. I can't believe I actually did it again! Thank you so much for reading! Please share your thoughts about the story with me! ❤
Artwork was digitally painted by me.
Stay sane and safe!
Let's spread happiness.
❤
