Surviving the Waters

We all have our hobbies and our passion. Something we do that makes life
worthwhile, something we do with compassion. Whether it be music, dancing, or
singing, Makeup, dogs, food, or even writing. We spent hours to perfect a certain
skill, we will keep doing it even when we’re ill. We don't have to be good at it, as
long as it’s something that we love. There is always room for improvement since
not all of us have talent sent from above.
For me, I have always been putting my passion into sports, particularly
swimming. Since I was little, I have always loved to swim. Waiting for the school
bell to ring, I can’t take my mind off the water that will welcome me. The water is
the perfect place for me to relax after a tiring day of school. I attended swimming
lessons and had a full streak of attendance. Although I may not have an athletic
figure, I am good with the techniques. Therefore, my coach applied me to many
swimming competitions, even outside of Surabaya and I won a few. Because of
this, I tend to be boastful when it comes to swimming.
One Monday afternoon, on a summer holiday in the year 2014, my family
and I went to Sumba for a vacation. In this island in Nusa Tenggara TimurEast
Indonesia, we stayed in a hotel where behind it laid a beautiful beach and its vast
blue sea. As I stepped into my hotel room, my nose is filled with the briny aroma
of the sea. I can also hear the waves crashing from outside; this has always been
music to my ears.Each time I went to a beach, I thought I would never want to
leave this place because I could never be bored to hear these natural rhythms of
nature everyday.
I excitedly changed into my swimsuit but my mother didn't grant me a
permit to explore the waters. She said that the wind would get stronger and the
sea can be dangerous at this time. It is not the same as the swimming pool where
I am used to be in. Although I promised not to go too far into the sea, she didn't
want me to take the risk.She left me to handle some issues to the hotel lobby,
therefore I stayed on the shore, which she allowed, wanting to be as close to the
waters as possible. As if it is calling me, the water rushed hitting my feet as I
walked along the wet golden sand of the beach. The island of Sumba is not highly
populated and not many tourist come to here. This moment, I felt like I had the
beach all to myself.
I looked over to direction of where the lobby is, my mother still busy
talking with the receptionist. I could just swim a few meters from the shore and
comeback and I can swim really fast anyway, I thought. I’ve won competitions
before I am not a small child that needs to always be undermy mother's watchful
eye, I am a swimmer. I walked slowly into the water until the water is waist high
and I started to swim further. The water felt so fresh on my skin, it is cold but
pleasant. I kept on swimming, forgetting about everything else but swimming.
I pushed myself up to the surface, my feet no longer touching any sand
below. I was quite far from the shore already. As I was about to return,I heard my
mom call my name, her voice more worried rather than angry.I felt the wave
push me down deep into the water. I wasn't worried of just a little wave but after
only thirty seconds I was sinking again.My legs tired and struggling to bring
myself back up to the surface. I started to panic as I sink faster, my heart pounds
as if it is trying to break out of my chest. I can no longer hold my breath and by
instinct, I inhaled the cold water. It burns but its peaceful. Everything slows
down, my thoughts, heartbeat slowly giving in to the water.I remember two
hands pulling me towards the shore
I have realized that mother do knows best. She would give the best choice
for their kids to stay in the safe circle. I should have never gonein to the water,
should have stayed on the shore, and should have listened to my mother. Now
the trust she used to put in will never comeback, it has now been broken. My
hobby, my source of happiness, has brought me to the place that I a now and the
best life lesson I could ever receive.