THE PROMISE OF ETERNITY

It was the beginning of summer vacation, Elias who just turned eighteen not more than a month ago, was just as excited as any other eighteen-year-old, he knew what this meant for him, and he wasted no time in getting his ID, in his mind it was goanna be summer of fun, a summer he might have his first drink, if not more his first kiss, but deep within his heart he knew getting his first kiss was goanna be difficult, because he wasn't just a normal kid, he was special, everyone knew this, some even teased him about it now and again but this didn't bother him, he was used to it, despite such, he still had hope, "Elias, we are ready to go, hurry!", his mom screamed from downstairs. "Am coming, alright", Elias responds, with a constant thumb between words as he races down the stairs. Every summer Elias and his family would go to grandma's villa at love crest bay although this wasn't its real name, many people called it love crest because they always find love there. But in Elias mind this was beginning to be overrated, as he had been there so much and yet still, he had not even found a friend. While walking to the car an excitement rushed across Elias's face, as he knew love crest was the only place where he could embrace being special, he could finally drop all pretenses and jus be free, or so he taught. This excitement was short lived as they got closer to love crest. As they got to the town, Elias noticed not only one but a lot of people from school in and about town, it seemed that the entire school wanted to find love as well. This shattered the bubble of happiness in Elias's mind, "it's goanna be ok." Elias repeated in his head but the more he tried to console himself the more nervous he got. He gave a long sigh as he watched his warm breath slowly cover a spot on the window like a fog, as he traced simple letters, he noticed a tall figure ran past, but his eyes were to out of focus to catch a proper glimpse, less than three minutes later they got to the villa, as everyone got settled in he picked up his bag and set off for the beach, he dodged as much school mates as he can, and darted across the boardwalk aiming for sand. When he finally arrived, the tide was low that evening. As golden light stretched across the sand it was like silk, draping everything it touched in a warm mesmerizing hue. The breeze was soft, the kind that whispered against your skin and carried the scent of sea salt and hibiscus. Elias had never seen the sea quite like this before, so soft, endless and almost sacred. He came to the beach that day to escape the noise of his mother's constant warnings, his older brother's endless bickering, and the quiet ache of feeling out of place, even at home. The beach was where he came to breathe. To draw. To feel normal. He heads over to a flat rock near the shore, out of range of the chatter and laughter of persons and sat facing the tired face of the sun and pulled a worn sketchbook from his backpack. His pencil danced quickly and gracefully, sketching the curve of a distant sailboat, the way the clouds glowed from beneath, he was so entranced in his work he didn't even notice a figure in the distance walking closer until a shadow fell across his page. "You draw clouds better than I can take a picture of them." Elias looked up. The guy was tall, lean, with brown skin that caught the light like bronze. He almost looked just like the figure he saw when he was in the car, but he didn't dare aske. His Curles danced so slow with the rhythm of the wind, and a knotted cord necklace hung around his neck, damp from the sea. He had a vibe, quiet but strong. Like the ocean itself. "Thanks," Elias said, blinking up. "Do you sneak up on everyone like that?" The guy smiled and replied. "Only the ones drawing beautiful things." Eli blushed slightly. "I didn't know anyone was watching." "I wasn't, well, not until I saw you. Then I couldn't really look away." Elias giggled, nervous yet amused. "Okay, you have a way with words. What's your name?" "Malik," he said, stretching forth a hand. "Elias, but you can call me Eli." They shook hands, and something electrifying passed between them, not just warmth, but comforting. Like somehow, they'd met in a dream before and were just now remembering each other, or maybe that the name sound so familiar as if Elias had heard this said name at school before, he shrugged the thought from his mind without and second doubt. "You from around here?" Malik asked, breaking the silence as he stooped down to sit beside him, closing the distance, uninvited but welcomed. "Kind of. My mom's family has a villa up the hill. We stay here during the summer." Malik nodded. "Same. My aunt lives over by the cliffs. I help her out with the boats sometimes." A deafening silence builds as they watched the water swayed across the sand for a while. Seagulls soared overhead making a gentle mew, and children laughed in the nearby distance. Elias peeked at Malik from the corner of his eye. There was a calmness to him, like he belonged here. Like the world didn't require much of him. "Do you always draw at sunsets?" Malik asked eventually. "I guess. Something about the light, makes everything softer. Less, complicated." Malik twists his head. "You think things are complicated?" Elias hesitated. "Aren't they?" Malik looked out at the horizon. "Yeah. But not right now." Elias smiled softly. For a long time, they didn't talk. They just watched. And just that was enough. The sun nodded lower. Elias began to pack his sketchbook, but slowly, like he didn't want to leave the moment. Neither did Malik. "Do you come here every day?" Elias asked as he stood. "Most days." "Maybe I'll see you again tomorrow." Malik looked up, shielding his eyes from the last light. "I'd like that." And that was it. No major promises. No fireworks. Just a shared moment, quiet and easy. The kind that settles into your bones and doesn't leave. Later that night, Elias lie in bed, tracing Malik's name with his finger on the bedsheet, whispering it into the dark like a secret. meanwhile Malik sat at the edge of the dock, watching the stars ripple in the water, wondering what Elias's giggle would sound like if he were to hear it again. Neither of them knew it then, but that one evening would become the first thread in the story that will blossom into a promise, not an ordinary one but one that would last for eternity, it was the beginning of something real, something sacred. As morning break, Elias wasted no time in bed he hurriedly did his chores just so that he can go to the beach to catch a glimpse of his new friend Malik, "maybe it's love crest after all," he whispered to himself. He went to bathroom and adjusted his hair, then he set out for the beach feeling optimistic like a ship on the sea hoping to discover land. Elias sat at the same place he was yesterday hoping to see Malik again but as the hours rolled by, he began to get hungry, as much as he didn't want to move in fear he'll miss Malik he got up and headed for the cafe just above the beach, in his mind he will sit by the window and keep a lookout for Malik, when he opened the door he was flabbergasted, as he could not believe what he saw, "oh hay Eli," Malik stood while calling Elias.