19 Days Under The Sun

Discovering Strength in Stillness

Lila woke up to the soft hum of a ceiling fan above her, its rhythmic sound blending with the faint crash of waves in the distance. The late-morning sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. She stretched lazily, feeling a quiet contentment settle in her chest—a feeling she had been chasing since the moment they arrived on this trip.

Sitting up, she blinked the sleep from her eyes and glanced at her bedside table. Her journal was there, resting beside an empty cup of tea she had forgotten to take to the kitchen the night before. It was funny—she had been so focused on filling the pages of that journal, trying to make sense of her thoughts, that she hadn't realized how much she needed the silence in between. The calm that followed the creative release of working with clay had lingered in her bones, a gentle reminder that it was okay to slow down.

She padded softly into the kitchen, where Raine was already awake, her usual ball of energy even at this hour. Raine glanced up from her phone, where she was scrolling through photos of their pottery creations from the previous day.

"Morning, sunshine," Raine greeted, her voice light and playful. "You slept in! Guess that pottery class did you some good, huh?"

Lila smiled and poured herself a cup of coffee. "I think so. I feel more relaxed than I have in a long time." She sipped the warm liquid, savoring the rich flavor. "What's the plan for today?"

"Funny you should ask," Raine said, grinning as she slid her phone toward Lila. "I was thinking we could go check out that temple I heard about from one of the locals yesterday. It's up in the hills, a bit of a bike ride, but they say it's a place people go for peace and reflection. I thought it'd be right up your alley."

Lila raised an eyebrow. "A bike ride, huh? You know I'm not exactly the athletic type."

"Oh, come on," Raine teased. "It'll be fun! A little exercise, some beautiful scenery, and we'll end up at this serene, spiritual place. You can bring your journal and soak it all in. What do you say?"

Lila hesitated, but only for a moment. Something about the idea of visiting a quiet, sacred place spoke to her. She had spent so much time lately trying to find answers in the noise, in her constant movement from one task to the next. Maybe what she needed was more stillness—more of that quiet space where she could just breathe and be.

"Okay," Lila said, nodding. "Let's do it."

The bikes they rented were simple but sturdy, and after a brief stop at a small café for iced coffee and breakfast sandwiches, they set off toward the hills. The road wound through lush greenery, the occasional burst of color from tropical flowers adding vibrancy to the landscape. The air was warm but not oppressive, and the steady rhythm of pedaling soon became soothing.

Lila found herself enjoying the ride more than she had expected. The breeze lifted the loose strands of her hair, cooling the sweat that began to gather at her temples. Each push of the pedals brought them higher, closer to the temple that awaited them, and she felt a sense of anticipation building. There was something about the idea of reaching this peaceful place, nestled in the hills, that made the journey feel significant.

Raine, always ahead, glanced back and flashed Lila a grin. "You're doing great! I told you this would be fun!"

Lila smiled and shook her head. Raine had a way of making everything sound like an adventure, and even though she wasn't always eager to dive into physical activities, she had to admit that Raine's enthusiasm was infectious. She was grateful for her friend's boundless energy, especially on days like this when the road ahead felt both literal and metaphorical.

As they rode higher, the scenery began to change. The bustling village below was replaced by dense, quiet forests, the trees towering overhead like ancient sentinels. The air smelled fresher here, tinged with the scent of pine and earth, and Lila could hear the distant call of birds hidden in the canopy.