Coincidences

Act V

The warm water soothed my skin as I dip myself into the bathtub. The surface, disturbed, fragmented the reflection of the tiled walls. I let myself sink in the water, the warm, warm water.

It's nice to settle down for a bath after stressful days. It tricks the mind into an oasis of thoughts and immerses you into a whole new galaxy of sensations. It's also proven by scientists, said the teacher today.

I wonder how it would be like to swim in the ocean. It would be my first time. I know how to swim. I learned how to at the same day I drowned. I'm not showing sarcasm; I'm totally serious.

I exhaled underwater; air bubbles, buoyant, pop as they reached the surface. I looked at my watch. It's 6:49, post meridian.

I asked myself what was going on. Things are complicated when only two live in the same house. It's because of that same reason that I am able to multitask, despite what people say.

One time, I used that ability to do three tests  I wasn't able to do before, because I was sick. I finished them all in exactly one hour and got the same score on all three of them: 96.

I forgot to mention about my family. As I said, we are only two in our family. That's me and Dad. My mom passed away from a car accident. That is... one of the reasons why we moved here.

As for my dad, he has a weak heart, so he doesn't physically work, 'cause that could tire him out. Still he is always on his desk, doing paperwork, working to death. It's risky for health, and after what happened...

I also have a weak heart. It's just a tad stronger than Dad's though, so I think I'm okay. As long as I maintain a good cardio.

I rubbed myself with the brush, applied shampoo onto my hair, and switched from the faucet to the shower. I removed the clog from the drain and climb out the tub.

I dried myself, freshened up, put on some clothes and stepped out the bathroom.

I go to the porch and contemplated the scenery. The ocean yelled with its waves, begging me to come closer. Hypnotized, I crossed the street and arrived at a flight of stairs that led to the sandy shore. Boulders bordered nature from civilization, and proudly announced that it was the gate to both worlds. I descended to the beach, and cotton sand welcomed me.

Winds blew fiercely, like it fought against the friendly elements set upon me. I still haven't dried my hair completely, so I might catch a cold. I didn't care. The ocean did call me for a reason.

She was there.

She was sitting there, on the sand. She looks like those drama series, k-dramas or whatever. She gazed at the sunset, in silence.

I sat next to her. I took me a load of courage just to do that. She didn't flinch.

We continued to gaze at the staggering beauty of the sun. Now a semicircle, the sphere of light faded slowly behind clouds.
The waves of dark blanketed over each other.

I broke the silence, "Nice view, huh?"

Surprised, she answered, "Yeah."

We stared at the disappearing sun. The clouds, also drifting away.

"Are you depressed?" I asked, out of the blue.

"Huh?"

"You avoid social interaction, walk away abruptly from that incident before, you only finish your food when I'm not around."

She shone with a bright red. Offended, she said, "Look, if it's about the jacket, I—"

"No, it's not about the jacket," I interrupted. "Tell me. What's the matter?"

"Nothing's the matter."

"You're lying."

"It's none of your business." She stood up, obviously annoyed.

I grabbed her. "It's not your mother's fault," said I, with my rude manners. "Your mother's a nice lady. She is always there for you, no matter how she is."

She shared dangerous eye contact. She was confused.

"What do you mean?" she murmured.

"I mean, I have a strict father," I lied. "But behind all that, I know he loves me from the bottom of his heart."

"Well, lucky you."

"Same for you and your mom," I started screaming now. "She loves you. All you need is her."

She reacted to that last phrase. I don't know if it was for better or for worse.

"All I have is her."

I managed to relax a little, until she followed with,

"He's gone, after all."

I, who didn't understand anything, let go of her, and she took off her home.

"Who's gone?"

_____________________

She locked the door behind her and dived into her bed. She grasped the nearest pillow and hug it tightly between her legs. She sobbed a mellow tune, yearning to see him again.

_____________________

I must have gotten it wrong. Maybe it wasn't her mother that cause disruption within her.

She said something about a "he". Who is that "he"? A friend, a classmate, her boyfriend? I don't know. All I do know is that she is undergoing a great amount of depression, because a guy I don't know is gone.

I'm a bit suspicious, too. Not single coincidence has occurred yet. I stumble upon my bed. Face flat on the pillows, I thought to myself, I am meddling with someone's life. It is none of my business.

I sighed in disapointment. I fall asleep.