More Than A Scar.

3. A Milestone

3.

He looked at me in a warm and friendly way that instantly made me at ease. He had dirty blonde hair, the kind that easygoing surfers have but shorter. His eyes were blue with green specs and tired dark circles underneath. His body was totally tanned like he slept in the sun.

He wore a plain white dress shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbow, brown shorts and black sandals. It was like every part of his bo body had a story behind it. Because of this, I already felt like I could relate with him.

Now, I know it seems like he was my epic love, but he was easily twice my age. I don't know how I knew, but I did.

"Yeah, that's me. I'm Malaiya", I replied. A huge smile suddenly spread across his face like a little child with candy. He took a few steps forward and extended his hand, "Nice to meet you, Malaiya. I'm Cole Larden, but you can call me Cole".

I nodded as I shook his hand. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze and turned to Hayley who had her most seductive face on. "And you are?", he asked.

"Hayley Dawson. Pleasure to meet you", she said and shook his hand. I don't think she noticed the big ring on his finger with the blue rock, but I decided to be quiet. "I'm Mal's colleague and one of her closest friends. I'm the one who signed her up".

He quickly smiled and turned his attention back to me. I could already imagine his wife was ten times more beautiful than Hayley and I combined and I realized that I would have to meet her. I felt uneasy about it.

"I've arranged a simple relaxing afternoon for us if you're ready", he said looking at Hayley with the corner of his eye. I smiled and turned to Hayley who was obviously irritated. Before I could say anything she turned on her heel.

"See you!", she called out to me before slamming her car door shut. Of course, Hayley wasn't used to being shut down and it rarely happened. I could almost understand why she was frustrated.

"Did I do something?", he asked in a comical and sarcastic way. I just laughed.

"Don't mind her", I said apologetically. "She isn't very subtle".

He nodded in understanding and placed his hands in his pocket. "Come on", he said cocking his head in the direction of the entrance. "My place is just behind the falls".

"So this place has its own waterfall?", I asked in a mock question form. I was more astonished than impressed. He smiled at me like he had just figured part of me out.

"Uh, not really. The falls are natural. They've been here for years so this entire beach was actually built around it", he explained as he walked. He looked at me again.

"What's on your mind?"

"Um. I guess I'm just not sure how this is supposed to go".

He was avoiding certain topics like the brief history which Hayley wrote about me. That was what we were supposed to be talking about. He was supposed to be my mentor or counsellor, or maybe just my friend. Before he could reply me, a little minibus stopped in front of us. The driver, wearing khaki shorts and a black polo shirt, cheerfully offered us a ride.

Cole nodded and helped me into the minibus, then he sat down next to me. It took only two minutes for the minibus to tour us through the beautiful forest filled with colourful flowers and exquisite birds, that led to the most amazing waterfall I had ever seen before. The mountain was as tall as half the empire state building. A gush of clear water fell from the peak of the mountain all the way to a large rock that split into four falls and met at the base in a cool river.

I realised I was gawking and shut my mouth. There was an entire village of beach houses after the falls right before the actual beach. It was much quieter than a public beach. There were no noisy volleyball players or picnics. It was just solemnity and happiness.