A Memorandum

Storia 4: Waterfall

I don't know what could possibly be worse than this. But like I said, my life suddenly felt like it had gotten out of control since I had spent a lot of time with Sarah. Almost all of my friends started to keep their distance, and talked about me often when I was behind them, which made me have to avoid them every day. While addressing my togetherness with Sarah secretly, and of course, while maintaining her feelings. I still like running out of town. And it will still be the most favorite entertainment among us. Even though I can't do it with my friends anymore. I still hate this place. And always hoping to get out of there. Until now, I can only imagine it.

Sometimes I wish for a sudden disaster to happen for that place. I think it would be better if the meteor did it. Because there are no volcanoes or earthquakes or so on. In fact, I can almost imagine how it happened until the place was smashed into pieces. He also filled in the news in the local newspaper. I mean, that way we have no reason to stay, right? But I don't think any God would ever grant my prayers for that one. Just like our custom of praying Otto died quickly. After all, Welmina will forever be a secluded place. Which even if the world was already highly developed, its territory would always be far behind. Yet there remains an exotic side to the place that for some reason can be enjoyed a bit. Especially for those who are too tired to live in the city with all the hustle and bustle.

So I've heard from my friends, about another scene behind the village. It may be about half a day's walk. It also goes into the national forest. Previously, the local government had also paid special attention to the place, given the large amount of wildlife that must be protected. But lately, the treatment seems to be more of a refraction. Although the location can be used as a tourist spot that is quite interesting. Sarah had told me that she wanted to go to that place, and she had told me many times when she stopped by in front of the house. I knew he never wanted me to go there with him. But I think that's what I can get from his words.

So that's where we went in the middle of the month.

Actually, the idea did not come from us. But from my friends who first proposed it. Even though this time they did not openly want to invite me. This was the first time I felt like I was no longer a part of them. Which made the plan seem sudden. But the problem is that I don't have a vehicle or one that could possibly be borrowed. Before Sarah became the savior. And when he handed me his vehicle, I guess everyone couldn't help but think about it anymore. Luckily, perhaps to prevent something worse from happening, he decided to take a ride with Randy. Which immediately makes Randy more excited.

Almost everyone is with their partner. Frans with Cici. Erik and Melia. Eddie chose his time with Susie. So I'm the only one alone. We passed through narrow paths, steep ravines on a number of sides. And I must admit, the trip there was very tiring. But all our fatigue soon paid off after getting there.

Far from human hands, green trees stood as far as the eye could see. Some of them may be hundreds of years old. Not even two people could hold her until their hands met. The radiating sunlight could also only be restrained on it. Which makes our place a little darker.

The air there is still cold. It was even more refreshing than the morning air in Welmina. There was only the sound of birds constantly being heard. And a bunch of ape voices. Until then, only water was heard. From my position, I could see the clear white water, which flowed through a huge rock gap. From there, we continued our steps for a few more meters. Before we did what we were looking for, we found.

And the view really looks amazing.

"That's it," Erik exclaimed, as he turned his head towards us. He is the frontmost position. He was the first to see her first.

It was a waterfall, towering with a height of nearly fifty meters or so, and consisted of three tiers. As if nature and time suddenly conspire for this place, making it have a beauty that spoils the eye.

I immediately felt the air mixed with water points all over my body. Even from certain angles, you can see rainbows at very low altitudes. The sunlight that comes makes the beauty well arranged. My friends, they don't even take long to throw themselves in there. I rubbed the water all over my face, soaking it all over my hair, until my freshness slowly returned. From my position, I can keep an eye on my friends from afar. I could even hear their conversations faintly, their smiles and laughter, or their shouts in the distance. Before my attention suddenly began to turn away.

Actually, the incident also did not go so awkward as I had previously imagined, but because Sarah who had always passed in front of me, inevitably my attention was on her. Just like me, he also separated himself from the others. This time I was busy taking pictures there. I could see his face smiling peacefully, while his legs continued to move from one place to another, then capturing a number of more photographs. But what I realized too late was that she suddenly glanced around her, before catching me who was unconsciously staring at her. I don't want to automatically take my eyes off me. But Sarah knows what I'm doing. He smiled gently at me, then moved his feet towards me. For a moment, I didn't even know how to behave. Before he started the conversation.

"You don't shower? The water's fresh." Instantly said.

"No,"

"Why?"

"... I don't want to."

He looked the other way for a while before sitting on my right. Even I was wondering what would happen.

"Oh..," he said, without seriously answering. "You can't swim?" Then ask again. I was even a little surprised when he said that.

"No, of course I can."

"Is that so...? You mean if the water is shallow, right?" This time he laughed again.

"i'm serious... I don't want to. Then you're on your own? Why not take a shower?"

"I'm a girl. So we need more privacy."

Then I muttered. "You mean in the wild like this?" My heart and I laughed. "I think I can give you some privacy if you want." I mean it in a joking tone. I think Sarah also understands what I mean.

"Just kid! You can't believe it. You look bad!" Reply however.

"And you smell yourself too!" Of course I still meant to joke. Even I still showed my disquiet with my laughter. But I guess Sarah did respond to me differently. As he questioned the direction of my words. He even tried to breathe his own scent.

"Just boy. It smells good to know!" Ketus. And I just responded again with my laugh.

I think I've told you that Sarah can always be a good friend when we talk. Where he can always liven up the conversation between us. But after that, the silence suddenly returned just like before. We sat quietly for a few minutes. With the view pointing in the same direction. This time the silence contained more peace.

"You don't mind if we go for a walk?" My heart, even I was completely unaware if I had just invited her.

"Where?" Now, I can hear the spirit of his words.

"Eitherway. Go look around!"

He smiled for a moment before answering me. "All right," again.

I know Sarah's fully aware that this will only involve the two of us. I guess he's looking forward to something interesting too. Something called... um... adventuring is possible? This is even the first time we've ever sneaked quietly together. But I don't want to think about it for a moment. And just want to enjoy my time. So I don't think there's any harm if I miss it with Sarah.

*********

"You sure you know the way?" He asked as we stopped for a while. "I mean the way back?"

"I think so?"

"I think you said? That means you don't remember!" This time, a million questions were on his face.

But I tried to laugh. "It's okay, after all, as long as we're near the river are we still safe?" Then I said, and forced myself to establish myself.

I hope he doesn't know how I feel.

"Now you're acting smart!"

"Yes, I'm smart!" My heart, and I laugh again.

I led him down another small hill there. But unlike before, the wild grasses there began to look less frequent. And it was just filled with thick trees. Even the sunlight would not be able to pierce through his branches beneath him. But fifty meters away from that place, the atmosphere immediately changed.

I could immediately feel a momentary sunburn coming out from the forest around us. The two places were only separated by light and dark lines due to the situation around him. Even the grass there stood taller than an adult. We set foot again following the path before us. Which now leads us towards the river bank. Before the place I was heading to began to be seen in plain sight. And the view looks just as amazing.

"Well, this is the place we saw from above, right?" This time Sarah returned. While my memory goes back to the scenery we saw on the hill. As we went through the path before finding the waterfall we were looking for. I don't think my efforts have been in vain.

A large collection of rocks lay wide in that place. Its breadth is almost the same as half a football field. While the river water continues to erode it since it first flowed over it.

"You like it, don't you?" I said, and Sarah nodded.

"It's a pity that others don't come here." And then he laughed again.

We had to wet our feet a little more to get to the biggest rocks in the place. Because the place is in the middle of the river. And I let Sarah take some more pictures there. Some of them even involve the two of us. I know I still feel bad when he tries to take my pictures, but I try to enjoy it. We sat down next to each other again, then stayed still for a few minutes, letting nature watch over us for a moment. Even the atmosphere felt much more soothing now.

"Oh yeah Ryan.., so why do you always avoid dealing with other friends? I mean, lately?" I was a little stunned as he asked that, and immediately knew the direction he was saying. I guess the way I looked at her showed my expression clearly. Even I didn't expect it to stir his curiosity.

Then I muttered. "Eitherway. But you know what, they say ... are we close?" My mouth, and I shrugged my shoulders.

Hearing my answer, Sarah laughed. He took another picture of me before answering. It made me turn the other way. I'd rather not look at the camera when he does that. And don't ask me why.

"We are close. We're just friends anyway. And you don't have to get carried away with their words either, do you? I think that's what's worsening her condition."

I know what he said was right. But at about the same time, for some reason, I suddenly felt like something was missing when he told me that. Although I didn't notice it quickly when it happened. For a moment, we did nothing more. Before it dawned on me if I was the one who should have asked her something again.

"Do you like photography?" I fill the time.

"It's just a hobby."

"You're not interested in learning it? I mean there's a lot of courses, right?"

This time he laughed again, lightly. "For what?" Sahut later. "And I'm just channeling my fun. Just making it a memory."

"Yes..., I mean look around at the exhibition too right? Maybe it can inspire you?"

"Eitherway. And you, yourself, don't seem to like being on camera."

I stared in the other direction for a moment. I guess the answer is obvious for reasons of confidence or something. But I don't see that as a good answer.

"Umm. I guess I just don't like styling."

"Yes.., you just have to look at the camera, right? And smile too!" The voice, which makes me smile too.

We were there long enough. At least an hour more in my opinion. And the fact that you can both be with him there is not too disappointing. I knew Sarah was thinking about the world around us in her silence. Imagine the beauty of all this. I could even see that as if it could bring him peace.

But I also do not want to disturb his mind when those moments of peace take place. But time suddenly made me realize we had to go back. In the western sky, the black clouds slowly thickened. And it's true that it won't rain now, but the afternoon wind will slowly bring the clouds over your head. This time I'm still the one leading Sarah in front. With a faster pace and a little different than the previous one. While under the waterfall, my friends had been waiting with annoyed looks etched on their faces.