Cold Embrace

It was one hot summer day. Good thing we spent it on my grandfather’s isle in Guimaras. So there I was, playing and looking for starfishes with my cousins.  It was about lunchtime when my father called me. He wanted me to go with him on a banca ride. I agreed since I was but a small boy and eager to go out into the sea.  He did most of the rowing but I tried to tried to row as well.  After about 30 minutes of rowing he stopped. He said it was the best spot for fishing and he took out his fishing rod.  I looked around and found that we were very far from where we came. I could guess we were about 15 kilometers from my grandfather’s isle.  So while my father waited for his fish I started munching on the snacks I brought with. I could still remember that strawberry filled cupcake as it melted on my tongue,

Done with it I reached for my bag of potato chips. Unfortunately, it was on the top of my bag and accidentally hit it and down it went into the water.   Being an innocent one that I was before I tried reaching for it. But luck wasn’t with me that day.  The next thing I knew was that I was in the water. I tried swimming up but it felt like I was heading more deeper into the water.

I was panicking.  Losing hope I just stopped and let go of my last breathe. It was kind of nice seeing my own bubbles as they start floating towards a bright light. I closed my eyes for a moment. I could only feel that cold wet deep feeling as it engulfs my body. I imagined my family back in the isle. My cousins who were still busy looking for those starfishes.  My father who might have not noticed me fell off the banca. In that moment I only felt peace. The serenity of the water calmed me. The fear was gone as I accepted my fate.  I decided to open my eyes for one last look into the world. The bright light was still there. It was moving, almost like dancing. Next to the light was a big figure coming towards me.  “This must be it”, I said to myself.  Then I passed out.