Noah- A Small Wish

The seemingly endless expanse of the summer break had finally yielded to the new semester, the familiar routine of classes reclaiming its place in our lives. 

Thinking of it only served to further dampen my spirits. "Why do things always end up like this!" I said, throwing empty punches in the air.

Disappointment, regret, sorrow... everything joined forces to pull on my heart just thinking of all the opportunities I missed of the holiday season. The last two weeks, because of a stubborn illness, I had to be on the bed, stealing away the chance to bask in the warmth of sunny days and carefree adventures. I was planning on doing so many things during these last two weeks. I should've gone out of the way and done them all when I still could've.

Only if I could have the summer break all over again... after all, summer break's may be over, but summer itself is still at its best.

Even though fall is right around the corner, the sweltering heat still had infiltrated the classroom walls. As I sat at my desk, beads of sweat forming on my forehead, I couldn't help but long for the freedom and adventures that the summer break had offered.

I glanced over at Iva, sitting behind me, her face flushed and her hand fanning herself, an attempt to find some relief from the stifling air.

I released a long, heartfelt sigh. "I can't believe that summer break's over already. Feels like it flew by."

Iva nodded. "You're right, Noah. I miss the cool breeze and lazy afternoons by the beach."

"On top of that, I was lying on my-" I began to add, only to be intercepted by Alan's abrupt entrance. He crashed onto my desk, his gasping breaths punctuating the air, mirroring what we were talking about just now.

"Yeah, I hear you guys. Summer break is like a distant dream now. I wish I could rewind time."

Alan's right. The memories of carefree days, laughter, and endless possibilities seemed to slip further away with each passing moment. Even when I want each passing moment to count, putting a price tag on every one of them, the weight of regret always accumulates, like a bottled-up storm waiting to be released.

"I know what you mean, Alan. I couldn't agree more..."

Iva's gaze shifted towards me. "I was really worried about you, Noah. At the end we had to enjoy the summer without you."

"Well, I was totally fine, as Noah wasn't there to balance down our holiday energy..."

"Don't say it like that, Alan. We could've enjoyed a lot more if Noah was with us."

Alan assented with a mock sigh. "Yeah, fine. Whatever..."

Silently gazing at the two of them made me remember the summers of when I hadn't met them. Different cities, separate towns – days that existed in a realm apart from this one. I wouldn't call it a bout of nostalgia, as those bygone days held no unique allure to yearn for. But it's the same feeling of regret, of emptiness and coldness. 

Back then, I never tried to understand the feelings of those around me. I thought I was fine, where everyone seemed to be inside a social circle, and I was standing on the outside... just looking at them. And now when I am slowly able to understand others, I'm having a hard time reaching out to them. Have I even changed any bit since then?

"Why are you looking so down?" Alan's eyes were glowing along with a grin exuding an air of ease. "We'll let you join us next summer, so don't worry."

After the final bell rang, signalling the end of another school day, like an everyday schedule the three of us sauntering homeward together. Well, there'd been a few tweaks to our customary routine, with Alan swerving off early.

"I've got a few errands to run, so I'll be taking off early today," He took a detour and faded along the concrete and busy crowds. 

Iva and I were left alone now, just the two of us walking in our own paces. I had a lot of plans for the summer break, an entire list of places I wanted to visit with her. I'd even wanted to take her on a date sometime too, just the two of us. It's just so embarrassing, I was down with a fever, and all my plans washed away with it. The pace I had set for myself dithered, leaving me unable to stride alongside her... I was so much embarrassed.

The wheels of my mind began to turn. "Iva, was there any place you wanted to visit in the break, but couldn't?"

Abruptly, Iva came to a standstill, her glazing eyes falling right on mine. "Will you go with me there?"

I stammered a bit, still gathering my thoughts. "Well, yeah. Is there a specific place—"

Her words tumbled out in a burst of enthusiasm. "The adventure aquarium! That's where I've been wanting to go. Let's plan a visit!"

The Adventure Aquarium is like a portal to another realm right in the heart of our town. Picture this: you step in, and suddenly you're surrounded by the most incredible underwater scenes. People say it's not just fish swimming around – we're talking massive shark tanks that make you feel like you're on some deep-sea expedition. And the colors... coral reefs bursting with life, all sorts of vibrant fish darting around.

But what really sounds exciting to me are the hands-on parts. They say you can actually touch some of the creatures – like rays gliding through the water. I wonder if they have penguins waddling around, doing their funny thing. Watching that would be really fun.

I hadn't seen Iva this much excited in quite some time now. The first time, and maybe also the last, was when I had asked her on a date for the first time. Just seeing her flustered up, while also gleaning excitedly set all my thoughts aside. It was like feeling the fragrance of spring breeze in the harsh summer. 

"Is it going to rain?" She inquired, looking up, "Clouds are gathering though..."

"I'd watched the forecast before leaving home. It isn't supposed to rain today."

"Then they'll clear away in no time. Let's get going, Noah!"

"Two tickets, please," I requested, noticing the sparkle in Iva's eyes glazing through over my shoulder.

The attendant handed over the tickets with a friendly smile. "Enjoy your visit!"

Clutching the tickets in my hand, I turned to Iva. "Seems like you're really excited about it..."

She responded with a quite infectious grin. "Well, yeah. They say visiting here is the same as an underwater adventure."

"Then let's just hope we don't drown underwater."

"Stop teasing..." She pouted, jabbing me on my back before pushing me right throw the front gate. As I took my first step inside, the source of her boundless excitement became immediately apparent. All the tales I'd heard, all the descriptions shared to me were swiftly validated. It was clear that the praise lavished upon this place was no exaggeration. Our transition into this captivating world felt like crossing a brink into an alternate reality. As if we had stepped into the pages of a fantastical story, the colours and captivating sights unfolded before our eyes. The air inside was alive with a gentle hum of excitement, as children's laughter and gasps of wonder echoed through the vast space.

The large tanks lined the walls, each one a portal into an underwater realm teeming with life. Rays of sunlight filtered through the water, casting an supernal glow upon the creatures within. Schools of vibrant fish darted gracefully, their scales shimmering like scattered jewels in the ambient light.

We found ourselves drawn to the centrepiece of the aquarium—a massive tank that seemed to hold an entire ocean within its glass confines. Inside,  sea turtles glided with unhurried elegance. Iva's eyes glowed along the glass tank, "Isn't that a spotted turtle? So small, and cute..."

I looked at the introduction plate. "Yeah, you're right." Trying to sound as enthusiastic as I could.

Her excitement wasn't dampened, as she continued, gesturing toward another turtle. "And there's a red-eared slider! Aren't they just adorable?"

"You really do know your stuff, don't you?"

"Well, I'd visit the aquarium in our hometown quite often with my dad. Though I had first visited there during a school..."

She didn't finish. "A school trip?"

"Well, um... yes, a school trip." Her muscles seemed a bit tense, along with her movements. "Let's go to the shark tunnel now."

Shark tunnels, yeah, they've got those things too. I followed Iva, as the pathway led us beneath the water. The lighting dimmed, simulating the depths of the ocean. The rhythmic sound of water gently flowing and the distant hum of machinery set the stage.

Suddenly, the tunnel opened up before us, revealing a panoramic view of a vast underwater world. The transparent walls stretched overhead and around us, giving the illusion of being submerged in the very heart of the ocean. And there, gliding effortlessly through the crystal-clear water, were the majestic sharks.

Their sleek bodies propelled them forward with grace and power. The sunlight, now filtered through the water, painted their silhouettes in mesmerizing shades of gray.

As we walked along the tunnel, the sharks glided alongside us, while one of them had its eyes lock with Iva's, swimming parallel to us. 

"Noah, that shark... It's following me, isn't it?"

"Don't worry, Iva. It's probably just curious. These sharks are used to having visitors around."

Iva's whole body was tensed, making small steps through the tunnel so that she wouldn't catch another shark's attention. "Weren't you so excited to get in here?"

"Yeah, but what if they break through the glass tank?" Her grip on my arm tightening as she quickened her pace.

I couldn't hold onto my laughter, letting out a small chuckle.

"Why are laughing... what's so funny?"

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean it like that." Yeah, it isn't about any of this. It was a small flicker of relief, maybe regret even, of all the things I could've done during the break. But that's not a problem. As long as I wish, I can keep spending such memorable times with her, not by waiting for the seasons to pass for another year.

As we stepped out of the aquarium, Iva's concerns before heading off to here became apparent to us. It began as a gentle drizzle, slowly evolving into a steady rain, painting the world around us in a watery veil. 

I sighed, tilting my head upwards, feeling the cool droplets kiss my outstretched palms. "Well, I guess the scorching heat is a thing of the past now."

A series of raindrops painted intricate patterns on my skin. I turned to Iva, when out of nowhere she got behind me and pushed me into the rain.

"Iva... what's the plan?"

She chuckled, joining in me in the grizzly orchestra. "Nothing. Let's just walk."

And so, we did just that. We walked side-by-side, embracing the rain as it danced upon our skin. Hand in hand, we walked back home, laughter mingling with the rhythm of the raindrops.

But the rain intensified, transforming into an unyielding downpour. Everything around us appeared to shrunk under the weight of the downpour, the once vibrant surroundings fading into a monochrome blur. 

The raindrops were cold upon my skins, yet amidst that, the only thing I could feel was the warmth of the hand reaching out to mine. The warmth resonated within me, wanting to deluge in it along with this serene environment.

But was it too much to even ask for? Was it too much of me to enjoy some time with the one dear to me? Is life really that cruel? 

It took us too long to notice, but by the time anything could've been done, the car flashed upon us in great fury. My eyes and thoughts froze in the second, only my hands acted, as I pushed Iva to the side. Maybe another second, and things could've turned out different. But time betrayed me.

The car gripped right past us before colliding by a nearby shop, shattering the serenity of the moment. Before the weight of darkness consumed me, my eyes captured a vivid image—the scarlet hue of my blood mingling with the rain, as it washed away along the fleeting remnants of consciousness.