Waves of Uncertainties

Chapter 2

Bottles of beers scattered around the shiny wooden floor inside a bedroom, a man gets up in a sitting position. He touches his aching temple. "Shit! Hangover sucks."

He almost stumble as he stands up. Nonetheless, he walks outside, taking the way to the lounging area of this yacht. He was met by the morning light. He yawns and stretches his arms. He inhales the salty scent of the sea. "Better." He pursed a smile.

The yacht is steady on a calm water. It's not that far from an island that he owns and it's not that near either.

He left the city to destress. Tons of works were overwhelming for him. He's burned out. This is one of his escapes. He is a jetsetter. Travelling to discover the wonders of the world is his favorite hobby, but staying in a place alone would be the most suitable thing for him these days. This island is the perfect place that he should be at the moment.

Peace of mind. Serenity. Beautiful sceneries. Rest.

As the wind blows his hair under a clear blue sky, he can see a tiny boat floating not from afar, approximately sixty five meters from where he is standing. His brows crease.

Where is the person maneuvering that small toy? Maybe he's spearfishing under the deep water.

He shrugs his shoulder to keep the thoughts away. It's none of his business. What he's thinking is that, it's rare for small boats or fishermen to get into that area since it's known that the island is private.

Eaten by curiosity, he takes a morning dip. Also, to diminish the pain in his head. He swims closer to that boat. As he emerges his head from the water, a woman suddenly gets up and sits. Her back is facing the yacht. He can't see her face. Her built is tiny. From his view, she's quite skinny in that white dress. Her skin is of like a cream shade under the light of the sun. Her hair is long and wavy.

What is this woman doing here? I just hope that this is not hangover taking over me and letting me see things. I don't believe in supernatural things. It's another silent communication within himself.

He hides himself at the side of the boat.

"Eon Jin, you're still alive. I hope you died in your sleep." The woman spoke with disappointment.

Eon Jin? Who is she calling? His forehead creases with a voiceless question.

"What would I do? Would I rather suffer here under the heat of the sun with no food and water until I die or to make it easier and shorter, would I jump in this deep water? I don't know how to swim. How long will it take to reach the ending? Five minutes? Three minutes?" The woman is giving herself options on how to die.

Oh! Eon Jin. That's her name. He is eavesdropping in full attention.

And...

What the fuck! She wants to die. Who would give herself options on how to die? Jesus Christ, this woman is crazy.

Silence and silence. A moment later, he hears her crying.

"I love you, eonnie. Whatever your reasons are, I will always keep my understanding. All your life, you gave way for me. All your life, you took care of me. You took the roles of our parents. Eonnie, I want you to love him freely. I want you to give way for yourself this time." Her voice is shaking. There were moments that she stopped in between to sob.

He peeks a little. He can see her side profile. His eyes immediately captured the beauty of the woman that is above his sight. Beautiful is an understatement. Her nose is perfect in this angle and she has a small heart shaped face.

What the hell is a beautiful woman doing here -- crying, talking to herself and wanting to die? He continues to silently formulate curiousities in his mind.

"I love him, Eonnie. I love you too. I love you both. I don't want to hinder your love for each other." She sniffs. "But, Eonnie? Why now? Why did it reach this far? Our marriage is set. Why did I discover this just now?" This time her cries are endless. He can clearly hear how broken this woman is.

The woman stands up, evidence is the unsteady movement of the boat.

"Forgive me. I'm too broken to continue my life." She sobs one more time.

Right after the sound of her sobbing, he hears the splash of the water.

Shit! Damn it! She jumped.

Instincts told him to save her. He swims fast towards the woman. He submerges himself under the water to look for her. When he found her, he encircles his arm around her waist as he strokes his other arm so that they can emerge from the water.

As they come out to the surface of the water, the woman coughs and fights to resist from him. Nonetheless, he strengthens his hold on her.

The woman cries. "Leave me alone." Her voice is hoarse from crying. She pushes him more.

He didn't speak. He's just there holding her tightly. Jaw clenched with dangerous stares.

"Get your hands off me. How dare you intervene with other's business. Get off me." She hoarsely shouts.

The next move she does shocks him completely. She slaps him real heard. It stings.

He clenches his jaw and faces her. "Did you just slap me?" He speaks to her for the first time with a baritone voice.

Right there and then, she calmed down.

"I wanna die. Why did you suddenly appear to save me? Who are you? You should have left me floating there, lifeless and free of pain." She bitterly spats at him.

He clenhes his jaw. "Woman... If you wanna die, see to it that it's not before my very eyes. It will cost my conscience. The next time you wanna face death, make sure that no one will see you." He frankly tells her.

She covers her face. "Please put me back inside that boat. Leave me alone. I don't want to burden you with that conscience of yours." Her voice is full of pleas.

But...

Instead of listening to the woman, he encircles his arm around her waist, ensuring that it's tighter this time. Without hesitating, he swims towards his yacht.

He doesn't know why he felt the sudden urge to protect this stranger in his arms. Her beautiful eyes... They show vulnerability... Beautiful should be mirrored with happiness and not entangled with sadness. A sudden feeling stirs inside of him, for sure it's not pity. It's deeper than that.

Thankfully, she didn't fight him anymore. When they reach the yacht's ladder, he holds both sides of her waist to guide her up. He succeeded in settling her safely.

When his feet touched the floor, he quickly grabs a towel to cover her with it.

The woman sits and crouches. She's like cradling herself. And... His sense of hearing didn't miss the low weeping sounds from her.

Standing there and not knowing what to do since he hates drama, he obliges to crouch beside the woman. He doesn't know how to comfort an emotional person, but he felt like he needs to do some gestures to console her.

He awkwardly lifts his arm to supposedly pat her back. He draws it back since he felt awkward about it.

Still, the urge to comfort her overpowers. He pats her back gently. Her cries become more audible when he did that.

He continues to pat her back. "Life is beautiful. I don't know why you would like to end yours..." He speaks gently.

..."I don't know your story but, know that fortune and misfortune are like twisted rope, so they come by turns. Everything will be fine soon." He assures her in a soothing statement.