https://youtu.be/85BSvp9ZtAI

The sun was covered by the grey clouds overhead making it look pale. The forests looked mysterious in the dullness and the birds weren't as loud the next day. Diego's booming voice came from the other side of the campsite shouting to wake everyone up. His voice startled her and made the pills spill out of the bottle. She hastily picked them up and dropped them back into their container.

Then, she stepped out and was met by the looming clouds overhead. When Andreas saw her, he walked up to her, all smiles.

"Good morning, Elena," He said casually. "How are you?"

Elena realized she had forgotten to put her sunglasses on. She smiled back at him, avoiding eye contact.

"I'm good," She said.

Elena slowly looked at him to see whether he would react when he saw her face. Andreas, instead, didn't react at all. This was the first time he had laid his eyes on hers. They were hazel in colour and looked golden in the pale sunlight. He liked the way her eyes crinkled when she squinted or smiled. But, there was something off about them. They looked sad like there was a pain hidden deep underneath. Elena knew he saw something because his eyes lingered on hers a moment too long. She quickly looked away and pretended to adjust her backpack on her shoulder. A moment of silence passed between them. Andreas's thoughtful face looked up at the cloudy sky.

"It seems like it's going to rain soon."

Elena nodded. 

It seemed as if he were trying to make conversation with her as he remained a moment longer thinking of what to say. Elena was no good at sustaining a conversation either. Most people found it exhausting to be around her, let alone talk to her. 

He smiled and nodded, walking away towards the other hikers.

She didn't understand why he talked to her. To most, she was unapproachable and a constant reminder of misery. Even she had accepted that about herself. But, for some odd reason, Andreas did find her approachable. She knew it was his job to communicate with the tourists, but he tended to talk to her the most. 

He gestured for her to join the rest of the crowd as they continued the tour. Elena strangely felt at ease around Andreas. Something about his sincere voice and friendly body language made her feel calm.

They walked side by side in silence, enjoying the sound of nature around them. 

Andreas cut the silence by asking her a dreaded question. "Why do you keep your sunglasses on?"

"I have...Sensitive eyes," Elena quickly lied as she walked on.

Andreas nodded as he glanced over at her. 

Could he see she was lying? Before Elena could say something else, it started drizzling and Elena felt the fresh, island rain pouring down on her windbreaker.

"Watch your step," He said to her. "The rocks can get a bit slippery."

The rain got heavier and Elena tossed the hood of her jacket over her head. She heard Anna's giggles amid the sound of the raindrops. Anna raised her hands up in the air to collect the water in her tiny palms. Elena looked at Andreas. His hair and face were drenched.

"Aren't you going to put your hood on?" Elena asked, frowning.

The rain was getting even heavier.

"No," He grinned.

He looked up at the sky and said, "Rain is the closest we get to God."

Elena looked at the way he closed his green eyes and appreciated the raindrops falling onto his face.

"Try it," He smiled at her.

Elena hesitated. 

"C'mon," He persuaded her and grinned.

She took her hood off and copied him, looking up to the sky and feeling the water splash onto her. She stuck her arms out to catch the warm water in her cupped hands. 

Elena began to laugh. It was real laughter she hadn't experienced in a while. The warm rain and the smell of the island rain were deeply comforting. Andreas began to laugh with her. 

"Come on," Andreas said, wiping the rain off his face. "We should catch up with the rest."

It was just rain, but now Andreas had put it into perspective: the feeling of God's love. What an amazing way to see things. Again, she envied him - even more, this time.

They caught up with the rest of the crowd and continued towards the waterfall. The rain had stopped by the time they got there. 

Elena was intoxicated by the scent of the Caribbean air. The salty freshness was almost addicting to her and reminded her of something she couldn't exactly identify.

"We have a surprise here for all of you," Diego said at their next checkpoint. "Currently, we're on top of a volcano, and these volcanic vents are hot. I want everyone to form a single file line and follow Andreas."

Andreas walked to the front where wisps of smoke rose from the volcanic top. Elena and the others stared at the vent in awe. A strange, smoky smell arose from the vents and diffused through the forest. It was something she had never seen and smelled before. She could feel the hot fumes against her skin as they traveled across.

As they went across the mountain, everyone gasped as they could see across the water back to Cartagena.

The sky had cleared quickly so the colourful buildings back in the city could be faintly seen. The water was a blue gradient that eventually turned sea-green further ahead. But, the water was calm. The waves were steady and rhythmic. The breeze blew through Elena's brown hair as she stood at the edge and peered down at the beach below them. She looked out at the water and imagined flowing with it, calm and steady.

It was moments like this that she lived for. It was kind of like feeling inebriated, but without the guilt of it afterward. 

I wish you could see this, dad, Elena thought.

She closed her eyes and imagined him by her side. The voices of the tourists faded and it was only her, the sound of waves, and the vast landscape in front.

Andreas looked around at the hikers enjoying the view and paused when he saw Elena by the water. 

He had never seen a tourist so mesmerized by the island before for Elena was completely still as if she were entranced. It was inspiring to him and made him curious. Her eyes held a mystery that he wanted to resolve.