Igo

I always spend my weekends here in this island. What I usually do? I take pictures, lots of them. No matter how many times I've been here, the experience varies. I don't normally take vacation leave not unless it's very urgent. Workaholic? Yes, I'm a bit of that. But I guess there will come a time when you feel so tired of everything and find the urge to escape. I might spend all my vacation leave and if I'll extend, I might go on AWOL (Absence without leave). I just want to be far away from the bustling sound of the city From the noise of... Sigh... Never mind. I'm just here to unwind and get a breather.

It was late in the afternoon when I arrived here in the island. "Igo!" I was greeted by my cousin Enrico, Eco for short. I went down from the boat to give my cousin a bro hug.

"How did you know that I'm coming?" I cannot recall that I gave them a heads up that I'll be arriving at this time.

"I was just walking when I saw your messy hair" he teased. "You came in very late now huh" he took a look at my backpack. "You have too much baggage huh?" he added.

"Ah" I fixed my bag. "I'm staying here for a little longer. You know I need to do some soul searching." I said sheepishly.

You can feel the serenity in this place. You can feel the crashing sound of the sea as its waves hit the sand. You can hear the birds chirp. You can hear the crisp sound of the dry leaves as it fell down from the branches together with the wind. You can hear the laughter and teasing from the playing children.

As we go near Aunt Celia's house, I noticed a lady sitting in the sand. She was wearing something white while her long and straight hair danced along with the wind. I wanted to grab my camera but it was inside my bag. I searched for my pockets and found my smart phone. I stopped and used it to take a photo of her. I placed here on the side of the frame and I waited till her hair flew sideways. I smiled as I look at the photo I took.

Eco noticed that I stopped following him so he ran back to me and took a peek at my smart phone. "Oh, that's Carly" he diverted his look from my phone towards the girl. "She's undergoing through some experiences. I don't know the whole story yet. Mom doesn't know it too. She's always like that. I feel sad for her." he took me by the hand and added, "Let's go so you can take a rest."

As I entered the house, I greeted my Aunt Celia and then proceeded to my room. I placed my bags beside the cabinet and decided to arrange it later. I laid on my bed and went fast asleep as I stared at the ceiling.

I was suddenly woken up by the sound coming from the kitchen. They are already preparing for dinner. I looked at my phone and it's already six in the morning. I was able to have a long nap. I turn my gaze towards the curtain that was blown by the wind. I sat and then reached for it. I looked at the window and saw that it's already getting dark. I blinked several times to wake myself up. Then I remembered the lady named Carly. I can see from here her usual spot and she was no longer there. I guess she already went home. I returned the curtain to its original position and went out from my room to join them for dinner.

***

I'm already on my third day on the island. Normally on my second day I'm on my way back to the city. I roamed around the island and took pictures. I hid on the shaded part of the big tree beside the beach. I'll return during noon time and take an afternoon nap. I'll get up at around four in the afternoon and there I'll find the lady name Carly sitting on her usual spot. Every day she wore different kinds of shawl but on a darker shade. When the sun is still up, she will use it to cover herself and when the sun is down she'll place it on her shoulders.

When woke up I noticed that there is a strong wind outside. It seems like a typhoon is coming. After a few seconds it started to rain.

"Igo, please close the windows" Aunt Celia ordered. I closed the windows on the living room first then their rooms and last is mine. As I set aside the curtain to close my window I found Carly still sitting there despite the heavy rains.

I hurried outside and grabbed the umbrella within my reach then went out. I can ever hear Aunt Celia shouting, "Igo! Where are you going? It's raining hard!" But I disregarded her because at that time I was worried about Carly getting soaked in the rain.

The rains were indeed heavy cause I'm feeling myself getting soaked after a few steps. I opened the umbrella I was holding and ran towards Carly. As I reached her I used the umbrella to cover her while bending my body towards her so she would be covered enough.

When she felt that she was no longer getting soaked from the rain, she looked up to me and smiled. She must have been mistaken me for someone because she was whispering another name. I can't understand anything due to the heavy rains.

"Miss?" I called her attention. "The rain is getting harder and harder" I didn't know what to say.

After I talked, her smile began to fade and looked down.

"Sorry" she said. She slowly stood up and walked slowly towards her house as if the wet sands are dragging her down. I stood straight and watched her.

She stopped then looked back at me and thanked me. She turned away and walked again towards her house.

I was left dumbfounded in the middle of the rain while staring at her closed gate while thinking on

"What can I do to help her?"

3-31-2018