Tulips

35. All smiles.

Freen.

We reached the beach and they all spotted it right away.

"Banana boat!" Becky and Nam said.

Becky started to run. She pulled me along with her, making me run as well. I was laughing for she looked like an excited kid.

We wore our life vest and climbed the banana boat. At the first run we all managed to stay on the banana boat. But on the second run, which was faster than before, we all fell.

It was Becky and Nam who squealed the most along the ride. We went for another round and fell again. We were all floating on the water while laughing at the same time. 

The speed boat took us into a platform in the middle of the sea. We were excited to see different water activity equipment there.

We chose the flying fish next. Heng and Nam tried it first. Me and Becky was laughing so hard for Nam's shout was so loud. When it was me and Becky's turn, Becky looked like she wants to back out. I told her it's okay I'll go alone. She said no, she'll try it. It was nerve wracking for it literally flew in the air as the speed boat drove fast. It's like we were hanging for our dear life.

After that we tried the octopus twister. The speed boat drove slowly and the ride spins slowly too. Oh no this will spin fast once we sped up. And it did, as soon as the speed boat picked up speed it spun faster. We were all squealing while Heng was also shouting. We couldn't hold unto it any longer. One by one we fell. Nam was the first, me next, then Becky and Heng was last.

When the speed boat picked us we were all laughing hysterically. All 3 of us witnessed how awkward Heng fell while shouting.

We went back to shore, though a bit dizzy, we were all smiling. We then collapsed at the sand as soon we reached the shore.

"We have one last activity..." I said but stopped as they all groaned. I laughed at them.

I'm tired too but this last one is the finale.

"You don't want? Okay, I'll paraglide solo then."

"Paraglide?" Heng and Nam asked.

I went to my phone and showed them a pic of it. The couple refused.

"We'll just go back to the hotel to wash up, changed and rest. Call us for dinner." Heng said.

"I will. It's your turn to treat us." I said.

Heng froze probably thinking what to say. He then shook his head.

"Sure. Dinner is on me then." He said before they left.

"You better or you're dead!" I shouted as they've already started walking.

"No worries, I will! Your punches will be my death!" He shouted back then waved at us.

Becky was now lying by the beach chair. I went to her and lay on the beach chair beside her.

"How about you? You game?" I asked Becky who's silent beside me.

"Of course. I won't let you go up there alone." She said. I looked at her and her eyes were closed. I smiled and closed my eyes too.

I was getting sleepy so I sat. I looked at her. She must be already asleep. I smiled seeing how pretty she is even when asleep.

"Is there something on my face?" She said startling me.

"Oh... I... I thought you're asleep. But yeah, there's something..."

She sat up and began wiping her face.

"Is it still there?"

"Yeah."

"What is it?"

"Beauty." I said it dead serious.

She was looking at me as if torn between trying to look serious but also fighting a laugh. Her expression made me laugh. She joined me seconds after.

The staff ushered us to the speed boat. We sailed for a few minutes towards the sea. The staff then led us to the front, made us sit and strapped us into the parachute.

I looked at Becky who was silent.

"Nervous?"

"Very."

"Me too. But i know it'll be worth it." I said. The reviews were all great.

She gave me a nervous smile. The speed boat gained speed and the parachute slowly went up. We're now lifted up slowly. When the parachute swayed Becky squealed and hold unto me.

"Waaahh! Freen!"

"Relax that's just the wind." I said squeezing her hand. I held unto her hand even intertwined my fingers to hers.

Another gust of wind rocked our parachute making Becky close her eyes.

I then realize how high we were when I looked down. I suddenly felt nervous, but I quickly forgot about it as I look ahead. I could see the whole island, the horizon, the clouds and specially the sun that's slowly setting. It was so damn beautiful.

"Becky. Open your eyes. You need to see this." I said gently giving her hand a shake.

I see her eyes slowly opening and then went wide as she now see the view. I could feel she's calming down as her hands is no longer tensed.

The sky began to get it's orange glow from the sun set. Everything became even more prettier.

"You're right. It's worth it. I'm happy to be here with you." She said looking at me smiling widely.

I smiled back and said: "I am happy too that you came with me."

We stayed there for 20 minutes. We were a bit sad as we descent but we were all smiles when we got back to the speed boat.

We went back to the hotel. I knocked 3 times on Heng's door as we pass by.

We wash up and changed clothes. When we got out of the room, Heng and Nam were at the sofa, hugging with their eyes closed. They're really tired and sleepy. I was about to wake them but Becky beat me to it.

"Nam... Heng... Let's go and have dinner so you two could rest." Becky said.

The way she said it was so gentle, you'd feel the genuine care in her voice.

The two lazily stood and walked out of the room. We went to a Chinese restaurant. While waiting for the food, I reached into my bag and put medicine on the rotating tray on the center of the table. I spin it so they could reach for it.

"Take this medicine for body aches after you've eaten."

"Awww that's so sweet of you. We badly need this. Am I aging or was it really tiring?"

We all said 'tiring' at the same time that made us laugh. The food arrived and we ate right away. In the middle of dinner we began to chat about what happened today. When we finished eating, we all took the medicine then went back to the hotel.

When we arrived at the hotel, I walked with Heng to thank him for dinner.

"No problem." He then put an arm on my shoulder. "You know you're one of my best friends right? But I admit I hated the idea of you coming with us."

"I know. It's your couple time..."

"Not just that. You've been boring lately. You're an extrovert that quickly changed into an introvert which is weird. I know why you're like this but it's not fair to yourself. But I'm happy that you came. I'm happy Becky came too, cause you won't be this happy and lively if she's not here. I know that you know, and it's so obvious, how much you both like each other. Give it a chance, give yourself a chance to be happy."

Me and Heng seldom talk like this. I'm not used to it that I want to laugh at first. But hearing everything he said, I know he has a point.

Heng then called Nam and they proceeded to the elevator. I waited for Becky and when she reached me, out of nowhere, I blurted out: "Can you join me for a walk?"