I was instructed to go to Waimea Bay where there's a huge rock to go Cliff jumping. Waimea Bay is on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. The sun was blazing its heat prickling unto my skin. I haven't been under the sun like this for so long. 

There were people but not crowded the shoreline was so long that the people walking look so minimal. I followed this group of people who were on their way to climbing the huge rock. I left all my things inside the car, only getting out in my bikini so that I won't forget anything or whatsoever. I climbed the rocks as they did. It was a 10-meter jump. I thought it'd be higher but I'm okay with this. People were looking at the jumper and already had a line-up planned. I absorb the view from the rock, the beauty of Hawaii, the summer breeze that felt right. 

I heard a throat clear up beside me. I felt disturbed and only to realize the stranger who stole my taxi is here, again. 

"Are you somehow following me?" He rolled his eyes.

"No. Like I said the other day, I don't even know who you are." I hissed back analyzing the edge of the cliff and how I should jump. "How many times should I avoid you? Are you a stalker? Worst case scenario, a serial-killer?"

"Can you just admit that you're stalking me just because I stole your taxi yesterday?" 

"You said it wasn't mine anyway. I don't give a damn about the taxi. I arrived here first. So like I said... You're either a serial killer or the real stalker between the two of us." I walked nearer to the line the men were forming to who'll go next. 

"This is the 2nd time around. Want to bet we'll meet tomorrow?"

"No, thanks. I don't talk to strangers."

"I'm not a stranger anymore. You've seen me the 2nd time around."

"Yeah, and It ain't appealing at all. Now it's my turn to jump, bye."  I wave him off, turning away from him. 

The ocean breeze conquered my nostrils. Salt and the sun all consuming me. I positioned myself at the edge, as I rub both my hands and place it on my face to relax. I inhaled, took a step back to jump.  

I screamed my heart out as I was falling the cliff and fell unto the deep cold waters of Waimea Bay. 

And this is what Hans meant. 

No hesitations in jumping into the sea we call life. 

Scream if you must, but also live. 

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It was refreshing as my skin touched the cold blue water. The violent wind continued to brush my face as I stay afloat. I stare at the hues of the sky. The sky that was ever hardly changing. It might be blue the entire time yet it still had its own beauty. Beauty from beyond and within. 

The sun continued blaring its scorching heat, slowly inching my skin into a different tan. Tourists were babbling all their enjoyments in this beach. They were a group of families, friends, and even lovers. Lovers. 

I'll forever be grateful for Hansel. No doubt. I know, up there in beyond those skies, he's proud of me. What I've become and what I've done. 

This was really my break. Moving on. Prepping myself in getting a new life—without him. We tried to defy all odds. Time was in our favor. And I've accepted things never just go as planned. It's okay. 

I closed my eyes and got underneath the water. Saltiness has invaded the bittersweet rosy lips. 

Should I jump again? 

My inner goddess agreed, 'Yes, you should,'

It was challenging to argue with your inner demons. Most especially, erasing those bad thoughts or negativities. My eyes squinted at the sun as I surfaced again. As I inhale, I steadied my breathing. The smell of nature and fresh. Stale yet Sulphury. My palms begin to wrinkle. But it didn't matter. Not at this moment that I'm living.

I paddle towards the shoreline to climb back at the huge rock. 

"Pssst,"

Maniacs. Even until here in Hawaii? Do people still catcall?

"Hey, you!"

My muscles tensed as my bare body, exposed to the world. What I wore didn't matter. If they feel insulted with my two-piece bikini, it is not my problem. People should just keep their heads off everything. It's 2020 yet the world still hasn't accepted the fact that girls can wear whatever they want and even if they call it 'provocative', it's them who should be in check. Patriarchy at its finest. And it's getting worse with the Karens, boomers, and etc., around. 

"Miss!"

I stopped on my tracks and turned around, "Would you please stop doing that, Mister? If you're checking out on chicks, I'm the right person. Thank you!" 

My mouth hung agape and in a second, I pursed my lips. He didn't speak any word yet everything he wanted to say was said was already plastered on his face. He smirked. It was stranger danger again. I rolled my eyes at him. 

"What do you want?"

"Oh, I just wanted to say 'Hi'," His tone playful yet filled with so much confidence, "I saw you were getting out of the water and you're headed in the same direction as I am. Do you want to jump together?"

"Did I ask for a companion? No. And too bad, I'm heading home."

"You're from here?"

"I'm not sharing information with a stranger, buddy!" I hissed at him, crossing my arms. 

"Hey, uh-" His eyes were roaming around my body.

I pointed at my face, "Hey! My eyes are right here. You want to jump together and now you're all staring at me like I'm some food?"

"You have an American accent. Which also answers, you're not from here. I'm just analyzing if you had great Biology and we'd have the right Chemistry," He wiggled his eyebrows. Just like how he did it the other day. 

I closed my eyes to stop myself, "Uh! Seriously? Did you think that pick-up like would work?"

"I thought so,"

"It didn't. Pick-up lines are too old...doesn't work anymore. Girls would find you a weirdo if you do that to the rest of them right there." I pointed to the girls who were sunbathing. 

"Well, at least I tried."

"Yeah, try to do better next time."

"I thought you never approved of pick-up lines? So you're saying I could do another one?"

"I don't care what you do. Do want you to want to do."

"Yeah, but the person who I'm hitting on doesn't allow me to. So it means, no."

"Oh, please."

"Come on! That's all I'm asking! A jump back at the cliff. And that's it,"

I bit the insides of my cheek and nodded. Great! What have I put myself into?

Without letting any second pass, he took my hand leading the way back to the huge rock. There were loads of people who were waiting on top. 

"Go climb first. I don't want you to size me up."

"Okay, no problem."

The ocean breeze embraced us as we climbed up. It was not a dangerous climb. There was a ladder that leads us up. He offered his hand as I took the last step up. I glared at him. Instead, he just offered it again.  I shook my head and grabbed it. His hands were calloused. His fingertips were tender unto my skin as we intertwined our hands. 

I faced him, "So do you mind that we'll wait minutes for this?" 

"It's not a problem."

I furrowed my eyebrows at him. He just nodded at me and dragged me to the front of the line. My eyes bulged. This guy is stupid if he jumps without asking permission. 

Before I could react, he announced, "Hey everyone! We just got married. If you could please give us the chance to jump first. It would be one of the best days of our lives." 

"Wh-" 

"Follow my lead and shut up,"

"You've got to be kidding me."

A cacophony of all yells and teases filled the air.  Oh my god. A series of 'Congratulations!' were thrown at us. I put on a fake smile and endured this act. They motioned for us to insert and go jump first. 

"You're insane,"

"No, I'm brilliant."

"You're an asshole,"

"Keep your voice down or else-"

"Or wh-"

He smirked and hugged me. In a swift movement, we plunged down unto the darkness of the sea. Our weight didn't matter as it felt the wind was beneath us. The waves of tomorrow caught us.