The Guest House

Chapter II

Amaya stubbed the joint under her thick boot and exhaled gently, watching the heady cloud of smoke dissipate into the drizzle-soaked air. The valley spread before her, a canvas of greens and greys, veiled by a mist that made everything look otherworldly. Raindrops danced on the leaves, bushes, and rocks, creating a tenuous symphony. The gentle breeze swayed the valley in a lazy dance of solitude. Even her incredulous self, Amaya, had to acknowledge it was beautiful.

Her legs and feet ached from the trek, reminding her this reclusive adventure was the spawn of her friends' pretentiousness. She would've instead enjoyed smoking a spliff in her cozy blanket, watching Netflix, or hitting a club and dancing to loud music. This introspection and peace away from the city was a facade of her social media generation. She didn't buy it.

Amaya rested her backpack on a damp rock and stretched her back. The drizzle had drenched her hair in thick locks, so she squeezed at them in a futile attempt to dry them. As she sorted out her hair, her eyes fell upon the bright white flash from the other side of the valley, leaving her in utter shock.

"Did you see that?" Amaya spun around, pointing toward the flash, only to find her three friends engrossed in their phones.

"Yeah..." Lim replied, his head still buried in his phone.

"Oi! You idiots!" Amaya's voice echoed in the valley.

Her friends finally looked up from their phones, puzzled.

"Why are you shouting, Amaya? We're here," Miya waved her arms, phone still in her hand.

"Are you guys done posting about your wanderlust? Can we move now? It's starting to get pretty dark,"

"Yes, yes, let's go," Zax said, picking up his bag and putting his phone away.
Amaya shouldered her backpack and ascended with a frown. With a collective shrug, the rest of the group gathered their belongings and resumed their trek. After a few dozen paces, she stopped and cast another look in the direction of the flash.

What could it be? A powerplant exploding? Fireworks?

"I am sorry, Amaya," Zax said, huffing. "I know you didn't want to come, but Miya shouldn't have talked to you like that. We lost track of time in our phones and-"

"That's not the reason-" Amaya sighed. "It's okay, Zax. You don't have to apologize for anyone. It was my decision to come at the end of the day,"

Amaya surreptitiously glanced at Lim. His rain-soaked hair flawlessly bounced about his face. She glanced down and saw him lending a hand to Miya to help her climb the steep path.

My decision, and mine alone.

"Let's keep going?" Zax interrupted her thoughts. "My friend said the view from the guest house is splendid!"

Amaya turned to Zax and smiled. "Yes, let's go,"

When she finally reached the guest house, her boots were covered in mud slush. The mountainous cold was setting in, making her wet head numb. She stopped before the guest house to catch her breath. The trek was long, and the promise of a warm bed finally overcame any remnant feeling of regret. She stared at the property; it was nothing special-just any ordinary two-floor mountain cabin. Amaya wasn't impressed.

"Isn't it magnificent?" Zax said, catching his breath.

Amaya turned and shrugged. "Sure,"

"You'll change your mind when you see the view during the day," Zax grinned.

As the air grew colder and the first hints of night began to settle in, Miya and Lim finally joined them. Miya had twisted her ankle on the way up, so Lim had her arm on his shoulder to help her with the climb. Amaya glanced at them, saw how Lim's hands lingered, and quickly turned away.