I
I left home because I was sad. Is that enough reason to leave one's life behind? Sad? No, It's more than that. I just couldn't face the reality, so I ran. I ran away from the town I despised the most.
Would you believe if I tell you that a song influenced me in this escapade I did? Yes. I was listening to this song by The Lumineers called Sleep on the floor. "Cause if we don't leave this town, we might never make it out", says the lyrics in the song. That scared the shit out of me. What if it's true? What would I become in the future if I don't leave now? Would I be stuck in this small, suffocating town until my dying age?
"Welcome to Serenity!", cried the staff of some beach resort I checked in to. She welcomed three of the newcomers including me.
The place is cozy, this is the ambiance I've been searching for my whole life. I wanted to go live someplace near the beach or by the beach. I just really think that the idea of living in this kind of place is brilliant. Peaceful. I'm looking forward to waking up to the sound of the waves and the cold breeze of the sea.
After I got the keys to my room, I immediately looked for them. 13. That's the number of my room.
Inside was a queen-sized bed facing towards a glass window showing the breathtaking view of the sea.
After unpacking my things, I quickly fell into a deep slumber. Traveling is very tiring. It consumes almost your energy even when you were just actually sitting the whole time.
I woke up at midnight. If not for my growling tummy, I would've probably woken up in the morning instead. I freshened up a little bit and consequently went out of my room to look for some food to eat.
If I was home, my mother would've shouted at me saying that I should not skip meals and must eat on time.
"Good evening, Ma'am! Would you like some drinks?" Said the bartender of a beach bar I walked into.
"Uhh, no. Do you have a menu for dinner?" I asked instead.
"Yes, ma'am! We have Silog on the menu. Feel free to check them out, here." She answered while handing me the menu.
"I'll have Tosilog. And a coffee. Black."
Tosilog is one of my favorite dishes, it's a combination of fried rice, fried egg, and fried processed pork.
"Right away, ma'am." She said while giving me a wide smile.
I know it's weird ordering coffee in a bar. Especially at the beach in the middle of the night. There's no other explanation. I'm just weird. That's all.
People are dancing to a song. There's a live band, probably local since I don't recognize them. Not that I know all the bands in the world.
I need to look for a job at once. I still have enough money but I know it won't last. I'll give myself two weeks' break and then I'll start looking for a place and a job.
"Here's your order, ma'am. Enjoy your meal!" Said the waiter distracting me from my thoughts.
"Thank you," I replied.
"Coffee? In the middle of the night?" asked a stranger who just suddenly talked to me assuming I am a good person.
I rolled my eyes and he laughed.
"I'm Niles." the stranger continued. He must like talking.
"I'm eating," I replied, sarcastically. Hoping he would feel that I don't want to talk to him.
"Hello, eating," he said while smiling.
"I'm not interested in you, stay away from me before I holler rape."
"Ooh feisty, I like that. Relax, I'm just looking for someone to talk to, and then I saw you, weirdly. Having a coffee instead of alcohol. Different."
"Well, I'm not like most people, so stay away from me. You're kinda annoying, you know."
"You don't even know me yet."
"That's why."
"What's your name?" He asked again.
"Khione". Gave him my name so that he would stop bothering me already.
"Cute name."
I rolled my eyes again. This weird guy is annoying me.
"Don't worry, I'm not trying to flirt with you in any way. I'm just really looking for a friend in this unfamiliar place." He said.
"Don't you have any?"
"I have... I did. I just don't like them anymore."
"Why?"
"I just don't feel like they deserve me in their lives."
"Wow. You think you're that important?"
"And what is so wrong about it? It's self-worth woman. Here, if you are surrounded by people who completely drain your energy and all, would you still choose to stay or like have them in your life instead of cutting them off of you and finding true people who would never destroy your peace, your life at most?" He asked.
"Fine, you have a point there. But didn't it occur to you that maybe you're the one who does not deserve them?" I countered.
"No, because I believe in myself and I love me more than anyone else in this vast universe."
"A narcissist."
"Narcissist? Me? No. Like I've said before, it's self-worth. Don't you love your peace?"
I didn't answer. I couldn't. I feel like a hypocrite for acting this way. I was too much of a judgemental. But at least not all the time. Kidding, I judge people all the time, though only in my head.
Finally, I'm full.
What's the deal with this guy? Didn't he get the message that I don't want him around me anymore? Hmmm. I can't think of any way to drive him away from me.
Oh well, I'll leave first. I got up and then paid for my dinner. I want to leave this place at once and be away from this guy.
"Where are you going?"
"Away from you," I replied.
He just laughed. What's with this guy? Oh well, I should leave now.
I started walking away from the bar. Damn. The beach is beautiful even at night. I ended up walking by the shore. I took my slippers off and walked barefoot. The feeling of the sand on my foot as I stepped on them is so relaxing. How I wish this moment to never end.
Solace. It's what I feel right now. I am at peace even though I am alone. My head is clear, and I am not bothered by anything.
After almost an hour of walking, I've reached the rocky side of the beach. I climbed up and I got shocked to see someone. Guess who?
"Are you stalking me?"
"Excuse me? I didn't know you were here!"
"Haha! It's okay, I don't mind."
"I do. Ugh! I better leave."
I almost slipped. Fuck these rocks. It's a good thing a hand caught my arm to prevent me from falling. It was Niles.
"Hey, careful."
"Thanks." I then left. Awkward.
After that awkward moment with a stranger, I decided to just go back to my room. I'll go to sleep instead.
I woke up a few hours later. The sun is shining brightly. Hmm. What should I do today? I can't just stay here inside my room and spend my day sleeping or doing nothing. I better go out and look for some exciting thing to do.
I went to a small cafe and ordered my breakfast. I chose a spot where I can see the beach. People are surfing and swimming. I've always wanted to learn how to surf, maybe this is the right time.
After I had my breakfast, I immediately went out to look for someone. The waiter at the cafe said there's this person that gives lessons and training to those who want to learn how to surf.
"Going for a swim?" Asked someone and when I turned around, it was Niles.
"When are you gonna leave me alone?"
"Hmm, never. Kidding aside, I just saw you walking, I wasn't stalking you, just to be clear." He even raised both of his hands as a sign to tell me he was saying the truth.
At some point, I think I need to make friends to manage this new life I'm trying to build. Fine, Niles could be a good person. I'll just punch him in the face if he isn't.
"I want to learn how to surf, and I'm looking for someone to teach me. Wanna join?" I asked.
"Sure! Surfing was actually on my mind for a while now, I just didn't know who to ask and to look for."
"Someone recommended me a trainer. She said he teaches tourists how to surf."
"Oh, you have a friend other than me."
"No, I don't. I just asked the waiter at the cafe. And just to be clear, you and I are not friends."
"Not yet." I just rolled my eyes.
Finally, we've reached the place the waiter was talking about.
"Hi, hello. Do you want to learn how to surf? You've come to the right place." said a stranger who seemed to be hyped that they have potential customers for the day.
"Uhm, yes. How do we get a trainer?" Niles asked.
"You can fill this paper out for formality and wait here, your trainer will be here any second to discuss a few things with you. Are you both gonna sign up or just one of you?"
"Oh, the two of us," I replied.
"Okay, here are the pens, you can sit here." He guided us to a small shade and handed us the paper and pens.
"Khizer Antionnette Ramirez, what a great name," Niles said.
"I know." he laughed loudly.
"Me, my full name's Neo Lysander Gomez."
"I didn't ask. But where did you get your nickname?"
"I just made it up, a new name. My friends and family used to call me Neo."
"So, what changed?"
"I don't know. New name, new me."
"Weird."
After I filled up the paper, I just sat there quietly. I am so excited about this new thing I'm about to do.
"Hi! Welcome to The Surf Camp! I will be your trainer for the coming sessions. I'm Raf by the way."
"I'm Niles and this is my friend Khione." I glared at him.
"So, let's start?" Raf asked. I think he's the same age as me. It just dawned on me that I didn't know if Niles and I have the same age. Whatever. I need to focus on this training so I could easily learn how to surf.
Raf explained to us a few things before starting the proper training. He introduced to us the types of surfboards, the level, and all. I lost track of the information. Niles on the other hand seemed to be very invested in Raf's discussion.
We spent the whole morning trying to balance the board on the water. I thought it was easy but when I got to do it, it was so fucking hard. I keep on falling. I can't seem to find my balance.
"That's good Niles, balance your body. Khione you can do it, just focus. Know your body and find your balance." The asshole seemed to be enjoying his milestone. I looked at Niles who's smiling, probably enjoying the fact that he can balance the board while I can't.
After a few more hours, finally, I got to balance the board. Raf said we will proceed to train on how to stand up on the board tomorrow. Gosh, this will be a long road.
I contemplated whether I should bid my goodbyes or I'll just leave them be. I chose the latter. I am just so drained right now. I left Niles and Raf. I think they've become friends now. Anyways, why should I care? I'm not like them who can easily make friends.
I took a bath right after I reached my room. This day is so tiring. I don't think I've had my lunch but I don't care. Sleep is more important to me right now. I need to relax my body.
