It was getting colder in the night, but the girl kept on listening, as the star began another tale.
The Fourth Story - Lotus In The Sea (Part 1)
The Wise Men of the village often gather the children around him, huddled together by the fire and tells them wonderful stories of warriors and beautiful goddess, of lessons and myth that they could learn from. One of the stories the little children liked, was about the Lotus in The Sea. Legend has it, when the moon was in the right shape and position, and it's soft light beam shines down from the heaven unto the sea below, one would be able to find a white lotus, revealed by the moonlight, floating among the white waves. This white lotus was rumored to be magical, so magical it could work wonders...
Jon grabbed a tighter hold of his backpack. He swung it over his shoulder and after taking a deep breath, entered the South Beach Management Office. He approached the counter and the office girl took one glance at him through her spectacles before continuing her work on her desk. "How may I help you?" she said with a solemn tone. "Did someone died this morning? What an attitude," he said to himself, in his mind, "I'm Jonathan Choi, the new lifeguard who was transferred here from the North beach as a replacement, I was supposed to meet the manager or something," I said. She continued her work without establishing any form of eye contact with me. She was silent for a few seconds, "Maybe she's like a computer, a slow one, she needs time to process data..." Jon thought. "Replacement huh? Mr Woo Jung Dal will be waiting for you in Room 3, so please proceed there with your documents ready," "Thanks," he smiled, hoping for a smile in return. To his 'dismay and shock', there was none.
"I hope Mr Woo behaves in a much more positive manner," he mumbled to himself as he unzipped his backpack and took out the documents. He knocked at the door and entered the room. And Mr Woo, the manager of the Administration of Safety and Lifeguards was sitting in a chair. He was smiling, and Jon felt at ease. Mr Woo asked him to have a seat and they went through the interview session quite fast. Mr Woo was friendly and very outspoken and they both left the room and headed out to the beach for orientation.
"This would be the lifeguards' restroom and office, and that would be the restricted area, no fishing, boating or any kind of water activities, especially swimming there," he explained pointing at a secluded area behind a huge rock. "The other lifeguards will explain everything else, and this is Miss Jacqueline, the head lifeguard here, Jac, this is Jon, the new guy who got transferred here," and a matured lady came up to Jon and shook hands. "Nice to meet you, I hope you do great as a replacement, won't want the quality of the lifeguards here in the South Beach to drop, don't we?" and she winked at Mr Woo. "You're right, Jac," and he turned to Jon, "give it all you've got, make friends so they won't see you as just 'the replacement' and impress the seniors here, alright?" Jon grinned. "I've got to handle some work in the office, handle the new boy for me, will you, Jac?" "Aye, aye captain," and Mr Woo left. "Let's go and meet the others," and Jon followed Jacqueline to continue his orientation.
Jon got home that night. It was a tiring day. Apart from the moody reception girl, the other lifeguards and staffs were really friendly. He felt that he could fit in just right in time. He stood by his apartment window, facing the sea. It was calming, the sea waves rolling in and out, the sound that the water makes when they hit the rocks and the shore. The moon was shining brightly, almost full moon, but not fully rounded. Was he imagining it? Someone seemed to be swimming in the middle of the ocean. That's really dangerous, and not recommended. But the figure was an excellent swimmer, with just a few strokes, she swam yards, "she's good," he said to himself. Assured that a lifeguard must be in duty at that time, lessening his worries for the swimming figure, Jon fell on his bed and slept soundly.
Jon woke up early, it's the next day. He was assigned night duty that day. He carried his backpack and wore short trousers and a T-shirt before heading out for a stroll in the city. It was a sunny day, he went around, checking around stores and restaurants for something interesting to see. He came across a shop selling sports and swimming equipments. Jon entered the shop and a ring from the bell welcomed him. He checked out the surfing boards. A very nice collection, good board, perfect design, build tough. He was impressed. He checked for the designer's name. But there was none. "Like it?" Jon turned back and there stood a girl, about the same age as he is. Tanned skin, gorgeous body and sharp eyes. "Ye..yeah..." he stuttered, "Darn it, what's wrong with my tongue?" he asked himself. She scowled and walked away, leaving Jon standing there stunt.
The rain poured and the heavy tapping on the glass windows made by the raindrops woke him up from his dreamlike state. Jon rushed to the door. He was too late, the rain's too heavy, and he didn't brought any umbrella. He would have to call the taxi or something. The girl was standing outside of the shop's entrance too. She seemed annoyed by the rain, she glared at Jon for staring at her before using a plastic file she was holding to cover herself from the rain and ran across the street into a car parked there. She started the engine and left. Jon checked his wallet, "great, not enough for a taxi", so he ran from shop to shop, seeking refuge under their canopy, avoiding the heavy rain.
The rain subsided and Jon reached the beach. He took over the duty from the afternoon session lifeguard. It was his turn now. He sat on the chair under the big umbrella. There was only a handful of people left on the beach and they all left when night covered the sky like a big blanket. Jon relaxed and laid back on the chair, closing his eyes. But his ears were open and alert. The sea was like an orchestra, there was a symphony going on its own. The waves began a melody and the 'splash' was like the rhythm of a song. But something disrupted the beautiful song. Someone jumped into the water, diving straight into the surface of the glassy sea. Jon stood up and took a closer look at the sea. With just a few strokes, the person swam a great distance away. Jon took off his shirt and jumped into the cold water.
The moon was shining brightly. Jon was closing in the person, a girl. The girl turned and looked at him. It was that girl from the shop. She scowled, again. "What are you doing here?" she asked, "I'm the lifeguard, night duty, and I believe I'm the one supposed to ask that question," I replied and she said, "So you're the new guy, the replacement, so whatever," and continued swimming around, she seemed to be searching for something. "Can I help you or something?" Jon asked. She ignored him. "I'm good at looking for stuff too..." She turned and looked at me, "just leave me alone," "the sea is a very dangerous place to be at night, my lady," and for one moment, Jon thought that she might act in a more kindly attitude after his good intention and care. Instead, she glared at him, "You, don't teach me how I do things, especially when it comes to the sea," she checked her watch, "great, it's all your fault," and she swam to the shore and ran off into the night. Jon went up to the shore, wore his shirt back and sat back on the chair. "Funny girl," and he smiled.
Jon was given night duty for every night, except the Saturdays. And every single night, the girl would go and swim in the sea. She was always circling around the same spot, searching for something. And being the gentlemen he always was, he would go and accompany her in her swim. But the girl never answered his questions. She was always ignoring Jon. But Jon was persistent and for the 100th time he asked her, "What are you looking for?", "Gosh! I'm looking for a stupid lotus flower, happy?" she replied, out of annoyance. "Lotus?" "It's time again, I have to go," and she swam back. Jon was confused, he's no scientist but he was smart enough to know that lotus never grows in the sea. He went home and on the next morning, he asked around the lifeguards whether any of them knew about the lotus growing in the sea but nobody seemed to have heard anything about that.
It was night again, and Jon met the girl in the sea, "I'll help you find the lotus, what colour is it?" This time she looked at me and smiled, "You believe that there's a lotus, floating in the middle of the sea? You're crazy," Jon smiled back and said, "At least I'm not the only one crazy around here," "Thanks, it's white, by the way," the girl said. "What is it for?" Jon asked again. "You won't believe me anyway, I appreciate this, I'm sorry for being so cold," "It's okay, it's normal for me," and she giggled. They spent nights like that together, but with each meeting, the girl seemed to lose her strength and stamina more, day by day. It showed from her swimming. Jon became concerned and asked, "You're not as good as when I first saw you, are you alright?" "I'm okay, and they continued swimming, searching for the lotus. 'What's your name? I never got to know it," said Jon.
"Call me Kate," was the reply.
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