Faith

The walk through the forest feels eerie and soothing simultaneously. It's been ages since I spent time in nature, the birds chirping, leaves rustling, insects humming, and waves crashing in distance, it is strangely calming my nerves. However, the thoughts of dangers that could be lurking in the forest make my heart beat erratically at the smallest new noise.

The guy from the ladies washroom, Joy, isn't so bad either. He seemed genuinely hurt when he said he is no monster who hurts women around. Maybe it's too soon to form a solid opinion about him.

I mean, yes, he seems like a cocky, sarcastic, casanova, but I think I can live with that, for now. Not like I have much choice though. And, thankfully, he doesn't seem to know a thing about karate, else he would have guessed that being a green belt wouldn't actually guarantee his broken hands after all.

I find his eyes lingering on me a few times, and my drenched, clinging dress seems to favor him. I have gotten used to people checking me out though, so, as long as he doesn't cross a line, we can coexist.

I don't know what I would have done if I were here alone though, his presence is a blessing in that sense. As much as I hate taking people's help, I couldn't have managed here on my own. I would have been on the verge of a mental breakdown, if nothing else.

Joy seems practical and logical in a sense. He brings a different, fresh perspective to the table and two minds can definitely solve a problem sooner than one.

Only if he wasn't so cocky.

But, I guess nobody's perfect.

Anyway, right now, we are returning from our short trip to the outskirts of the forest. We gathered a few dried twigs and branches, sufficient to last us for tonight. We found a few shrubs of berries and some wild variety of watermelons. Since birds and ants were already feeding on a few fruits, we concluded they weren't poisonous for consumption.

We sat there and ate a stomach full,  crushing some watermelons to turn into juice and drink it, since we found no water yet. We also picked up sufficient fruits for the night, as venturing into the forest after sunset would be dangerous. My idea, obviously. He doesn't seem much concerned about planning the next steps for even today evening, forget tomorrow.

Me, on the other hand, I can plan the whole next month if I want, but that is not possible in an unknown territory like this. And, this feeling of unpreparedness is driving me crazy.

Back home, I had everything sorted in life, planned to great details.

Home to college, college to office, office to home, my life followed the same routine every working day.

Yes, office. I work part time at a start up, as an associate programmer. It helps me stay financially independent, my tution fee is already covered by scholarship and a small loan, so this job helps me support myself.

So my weekdays were always busy with this routine. On weekends, I preferred the company of a suspense or thriller novel and of course, my blanket to cozy up in the bed and let my imagination run wild on the journey to uncover secrets of the unknown.

Occasionally, I also planned getaways with my friends to catch a break from the routine life and unwind.

My girls know how I like my space most days, but whenever we catch up, it doesn't feel like we spent a single day apart. They know I am always a text away when they need me, I don't like phone calls much. And I despise small talk, don't like making acquaintances, or keeping large circles. Quality over quantity.

Thinking about them, makes me miss them all over again.

Joy suddenly breaks my chain of thoughts, "So, food is sorted for now. We'll have to find a shelter soon as well. The sky looks clear now, but we can't really trust the weather after yesterday."

I nod at him, "You're right, Joy. I think we should check out the hill side near the beach. We just need a place to cover our heads if it rains, if not more."

Joy looks towards the direction I mentioned and says, "Yes that place will be the best. If someone comes looking for us, we'll be able to watch them from there too."

I turn towards the vast ocean as my eyes look for a sign of escape, "Yes, I hope someone finds us soon."

Joy puts down the wood near the foot of the hill, while I keep the food beside it. My eyes hover towards the hill trying to find a hole in the solid rocks that can become our temporary home, when he calls out my name.

"Faith..."

I turn towards him and nod, signalling him to go on.

He seems conflicted, as if he is unable to decide whether he should or shouldn't say what he has on his mind.

Joy finally continues, "Actually Faith, I was thinking, we should get out of these wet clothes. We're wearing them from last night and if we get ill, we won't be able to treat ourselves due to lack of medicines."

I gulp, as I keep my eyes fixated on the hill, pretending to be busy finding a hole to call a home.

I know he is right and I have already thought about getting out of this drenched, sandy dress for a hundred times now, but I couldn't think of any way to do it without him looking at me naked or me embarassing myself in some other way.

I may be an independent, confident person otherwise, but vulnerability is not my forte, be it emotional or physical. And being naked in front of a stranger, is a concept so vulnerable, so foreign, so revolting to my brain that it refuses to process it.

Joy must have read the horrified expression on my face as I considered the possibilities, because he immediately adds, "As much as I'd love to let my eyes adore your sexy body, I won't do it without your permission, Faith. So, you can relax, you know. We can figure something out."

I almost relax for a second, but then he continues with a smirk forming on his face, "Or... you give me the permission you know, then things will get a whole lot more interesting."

And his inappropriate, cocky remarks return again.

He can switch between his smart, practical, almost thoughtful side and cocky, casanova side in probably less than a second. Is he bipolar or something?

I raise a brow at him silently, then sigh, and shake my head to communicate my disappointment at his snarky comments.

He grins at me in understanding and then, looks at the hill too, probably trying to think of something. Then, he comes up with an idea sooner than I expected.

"Okay how about this, I will remove my clothes first, wash them in the ocean water and leave them there on those rocks nearby to dry. Because I just can't wear these wet clothes any longer."

He points at some large rocks near the beach, and then continues to explain.

"Then I'll come here and sit in my boxers and wait, while you can take a bath in privacy, wash your clothes and leave them to dry there as well. Hopefully, they will get dried in 2-3 hours."

Here comes the awkward part where I don't have any boxers or shorts, and my undergarments practically reveal what they are supposed to hide, says my brain.

But he continues, "You can stay that side, and you can use your scarf to partially cover yourself, while I'll still have my boxers on and stay over here. I'll bath later and wash them after your clothes dry and you are dressed comfortably."

To say, I am genuinely surprised by his idea, is an understatement.

Not only has he found a way out, he is actually willing to wait in his wet boxers for 2-3 hours, so that I can bath comfortably without embarassing myself.

I was actually not expecting so much chivalry from a casanova like him. I expected him to somehow take advantage of the situation, but he managed to surprise me yet again.

I get so lost in my thoughts, I forget to appreciate his excellent idea, due to which, he quickly adds: "Faith, you can trust me, I will face the other side the whole time, I promise I won't look."

His words melt my heart like ice cream on a hot day. The one tiny strand of doubt that remained in my head tears away. I smile at him, as my hand reaches for his hand automatically, and I give it a small squeeze.

"I know Joy, I think I can trust you. You haven't given me any reason not to, at least not yet."

He smiles back, not his cocky, casanova smile. A different, genuine smile that reaches his deep, honey brown eyes. He tries to get up and start executing his plan, but I stop him as a new idea pops in my head.

"I think you should take a bath first Joy. You don't need to wait for so long. And wash all your clothes."

He looks confused, so I explain my idea in detail, before he comes up with any naughty interpretations. I have no intentions of watching him naked whatsoever, so he better not get that idea.

"Here, take my scarf and wear it around your waist when you come out. Then, come sit behind this big rock and give the scarf back to me. I'll take a bath after that and stay near those rocks with my scarf on, like you suggested. Hopefully, after 2-3 uncomfortable hours, we both will have dry clothes to wear."

I pause, and then quickly add, "I hope you won't mind sitting here without your clothes on though. I promise I won't look as well. If you aren't comfortable, we can go with your.."

Joy waves me off, as he looks both amused and surprised by my idea. He is a strange, strange guy. Why the hell is he amused now? I hope he doesn't misunderstand my intentions.

Joy smiles his smirky smile and says, "Why would I mind beautiful, as long as you're comfortable, I am okay both ways."

He takes my scarf from my hand and walks away.