A whisper beneath the waves

Waves Of Change

The following day, Ayu found himself in the same spot on the beach, despite his earlier intentions of avoiding the place. It wasn't that he had planned to return—he simply couldn't stay away.

The conversation with Shayel had lingered in his mind like an unresolved melody. He couldn't stop thinking about how easy it had been to talk to him, how the hours had passed without him even realizing it.

As the sun began its slow descent, casting its golden glow over the water, Ayu pulled his sandals off and dipped his feet into the cool sand. He had come here to clear his head, but somehow, his mind seemed to be more cluttered than ever. He let out a deep sigh, watching the waves crash rhythmically on the shore.
Suddenly, his peace was interrupted by a voice he would've recognized anywhere.

"Back again, huh?"

Ayu's heart skipped a beat as he looked up to see Shayel standing there, looking even more at ease than the day before. He wore the same slightly rumpled shirt, his camera hanging from his neck, and a playful grin on his face. As if on cue, a gust of wind blew through his hair, making him look like he had just stepped out of a magazine cover about beachside adventures.

Ayu tried to ignore the strange flutter in his stomach.

"What, you're stalking me now?"

Shayel raised an eyebrow.

"I prefer to call it 'coincidental timing,' "

he said, his grin widening.

"I was taking pictures on the other side of the beach, and guess who I saw? The same guy from yesterday, staring dramatically at the waves."

Ayu rolled his eyes, trying to hide his smile.

"I wasn't staring dramatically. I was just... thinking."

He gestured vaguely toward the horizon.

"This is a good thinking spot."

"Oh, so it's like a designated thinking zone now?"

Shayel asked, taking a few steps closer and standing beside him.

"What are you thinking about? World peace? The meaning of life?"

Ayu chuckled, shaking his head.

"More like... how to escape my family's dinner table without getting into a conversation about 'finding a nice girl.' "

Shayel snorted.

"Ah, yes. The dreaded 'finding a nice girl' talk. Every man's worst nightmare. What does it feel like, being interrogated about your future at the dinner table?"

"Like trying to dodge a speeding train,"

Ayu replied dryly.

"It's relentless. They don't understand that I'm just... trying to figure things out, you know?"

Shayel nodded, his expression softening.

"I get it. I'm the youngest in my family, so the pressure's been on me since I was ten. 'When are you going to settle down? When are you going to be responsible?' "

He mockingly raised his voice, mimicking his parents.

"I'm over here like, 'Can't a guy just eat dinner without discussing his entire future?' "

Ayu laughed.

"Exactly. And it's always the same. 'Your brother's married, your cousin has kids... What's your plan, huh?' "