Chapter 18 - The Sunrise

Bumpy roads woke me up. When I open my eyes, I saw Ross sitting on the driver seat beside me with eyes gazing straight and narrowed, he seems annoyed.

“Ross?”

“Yes, I am here” he replied shortly. I turned my head to the back, and saw Kendrick sleeping on Jimmy’s shoulder.

“That kid play games too much yesterday and he couldn’t hold his sleepy eyes” Ross explained.

“Oh”

Freya is awake, then grinning at me once I take a look to the backseat. I don’t know what is in her head right now but I know for sure she is going to say anything non –sense.

I gaze through the window, watching the far shimmering city from here.

I was so excited the day before today. I researched through the internet about it. Imagine the noises of nature like the whispers of a stream or the song of a bird receive a new meaning and essence for us. The view of trees, bushes, streams and wild flowers is going to be pleasing. Besides being useful for health, hiking is a great source of recreation.

I took out my phone from my coat, we are just an hour ahead than earlier. It’s not that far or that close. Maybe they are just driving fast.

03.55.

From the gate, some people with thick coat coming over to check on us, flashing their flashlight to count how many people are inside the Jeep. Then Ross began to take his wallet and pay.

Inside, there are groups of people lining up, preparing themselves. I don’t know why we have to arrive at 4, why not 3 or 2 . Maybe because it wasn’t that far to hike from here. They have set exact time, that’s why Ross asked me to join, cause it wasn’t that hard. The cliff isn’t too steep too, plus we walk in groups.

I stood still waiting for their instruction. Ross was about to stand beside me but Kendrick pushed him away. Without saying anything, Kendrick smile at him but Ross is glaring instead. I don’t know what is happening here but I feel kinda awkward with them acting this way.

We hike across the mountain, walks among a winding motor road, pass across the mountain for a mini adventure. The impression of unlimited independence makes one’s heart to leap with happiness. I saw a mouse peeking out of its hole, a squirrel in the dark, jumping about on the brances of the tree, and then I heard a lady screaming.. maybe she saw the mouse. At some moment, we heard an owl hooting. I have no anxiety about the cliff stuff here. Freya was kinda afraid of looking down the cliff but Jimmy holds her hand so she seems to calm down.

I looked back to Ross. He was just quietly staring us. At some point I accidentally slipped, Ross got my back, and Kendrick caught my arm.

“Be careful” Ross reminded, “Hey! Ya! Take care of this clumsy girl” he told Kendrick.

“I will” Kendrick puts a thumb up.

The woods seclude me from the rest of the world. I’m on my own with nobody else in sight, just nature, and only nature. I’m not alone though. The sounds of nature give me a welcoming feeling. I’m part of nature for the duration of the hike. There are no roads, buildings, or any type of infrastructure. There is only a dirt path, leading me through the wild and finally to my destination, the top of the mountain.

A calm flow of the streams gives a relaxing tone to my ears. They apply the music as I trek. The scents seem to mix together, giving a fresh air that makes it feel as if breathing is easier. It is when I get to the larger boulders that you know you are getting closer and closer to the top. Climbing up the rocks gives a bit of an exercise, but not an excruciating one.

At the top of the mountain the reward is spectacular. The views are incredible and I feel as if I’m on top of the world. I can see for miles and miles. It’s as if I’m everywhere at once. The view makes me feel as if I could stay there on the top forever, but I know I must continue down to the base of the mountain before nightfall. I descend I carry with me a feeling of satisfaction like no other.

It’s 5.30 on my phone. Up here we can see a beautiful night sky. The sky is dark decorated by the scattering stars and the ground glittered by the city lights.

Ross tilted his head staring at me, his lips lifted upward, “Do you like it?”

“I do” is the honest answer I had.

The best thing is waiting for the sun to rise.

Jimmy took his camera out from his backpack to capture the beautiful view. Then he asked somebody to hold his camera after he took a selfie with Freya alone.

“Hey! All of you! let’s take picture!” he said.

We all gathered in a position and when the stranger starts to count, we paused, giving the best expression we had.

1

2

3

And the picture is awesome.

After that we sat down on the ground, watching the beautiful orange view. The sunrise is one of the most beautiful sights of nature. There is no doubt that sunrise has a peculiar sensation over the human mind and therefore, its praises have been sung by many poets and artists. Sunrise is mostly associated with peace and serenity. It has been assumed that the mere pleasant sight of sunrise inculcates calmness in the mind of the spectator. I would like to share my precious experience of experiencing and watching the first sunrise of my life. This is my first and never going to be the last. I hope I could see another sunrise with them. I tilted my head looking at the happy Freya folding her legs in front of her chest as he chuckled delightly with Jimmy.

How about me? I don’t know somehow it became so awkward since I was sitting between Ross and Kendrick. But looking at Ross enjoying the view made me calm. He is like the angel of the sunrise. I gaze back to the view, watching him too long might be so suffocating to me but thanks to Ross for this amazing serene scene of sunrise.

Few minutes later the bluish sky started turning light and the yellow color started to show its presence gradually. Then the egg-yolk-like sun started to appear in the scene and illuminated everything around it with its light. Everything started to become visible and the birds’ chirps added beauty to the scene. The morning breeze is so calming.

I think I should add this scene to my mystery novel sometimes. I keep on writing terrible murder and mystery. Maybe I should try adding some romance. I once found a little girl commented to my blog, saying she is looking forward for my mystery -romance novel. Maybe I should start something new like this? I’m not a romance expert but since this two boys making my heart beats so fast, I became interested to try.

Ross clears his throat, saying “Do you want to join again next time?”

I sniggered “Maybe? But in one condition”

“Mwo (what)?” Ross narrowed his eyes, “Are you trying to blackmailing me?”

I scoffed, “I was just trying to say, get enough sleep before having a trip like this”

He sniffed a smile, “Why do you care?”

I raised an eyebrow, “Because you are my brother?”

“Yepp. Because I’m your.. brother” he added.

I gaze back to the view, looking at the beautiful sky. I really felt that it was a scene that worth leaving the comforts of my lifeless weekend. The early sunlight rally had a healing ability. I felt like I have been purified from all the worries and troubles of my life. Poets and artist are not wrong to hail the beauty of the sunrise.

We enjoy our time joyfully, talking, joking around like no tomorrow, plus instant cup -noodle as breakfast. It’s fun to be around them, I thought it would be awkward but I was wrong. I take a look at the time, 09:00 on my phone. Time flies too fast.

“Irene, we .. need to talk” Kendrick’s smooth voice comes from beside me. I cocked my head up staring at him.

We walked a few steps further and then sat on a bench which has a clear view of the sky.

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

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