Teo was unsure as all he saw were huge palm trees expanding up to the sky, and sand on his feet, yeah he took off his shoes and was walking shoeless, "What if it's the wrong path?," he let the man on the front know his thoughts.
Josh, turned towards him, tilting his head, "How optimist, but we can't lose that much in here, sun wouldn't burn us the same way it would if we still were following along the coastline."
Teo pouted, narrowing his eyes, "Oh right, that's my fault." scratching his neck which was itching him so bad around the neck.
No sooner than that they came out from the tree zone, finding what seemed a no paved road in the middle of nowhere which led to a little stall on the side where a middle- aged man flipped, what seemed like, fish.
Josh approached the elder man in humble garments, bowing respectfully, whilst Teo walked slowly behind him, "Excuse us for interrupting you, Sir. May you indicate to us what path would take us to the main port?" Measuring his words to not offend the elder.
Said man stared up, a gentle smile adorning his wrinkled face, "Just go straight that path and you'll find a paved road, walk along it towards the left for about 2 hours, then the highway will come in sight and you might be able to hail a cab or wait for the bus at the station." He instructed, mimicking his hands almost as guiding them how to get there.
Josh nodded, getting an idea about what the elder said, bowing again, "Thank you, Sir! That will be helpful."
He noticed how the sun was setting on their backs and a tired Teo rubbing his back and leg, most likely sored out.
So he turned back to the elder to ask for another favor, "May you excuse me for asking this of you, do you happen to know a place where we could stay in for the night? As you can see it's pretty late and my," looked back at Teo not knowing how to describe him, yet he spoke the first thing popped into his head, "my friend is exhausted"
This drew Teo's attention, glaring at Josh, not liking to be considered a weakling, a pout forming on his lips.
Pretending to be perfectly fine, "Aren't we going back to the city? You don't have to worry about me. I can endure hours"
The dark-haired looked at his frowny looking face, biting back a laugh, "2 hours of walk or so in the darkness with someone who refuses to wear his shoes coz they are wet and most likely having cramps at the moment"
The blonde gasped, crouching to put his shoes on, even though it felt weird as he wasn't wearing sockets. "See now? I can walk just fine"
The dark-haired pressed his lips together as a laugh almost escaped his lips, "Yeah, we could, but it's getting late. I'm sure you're starving, tired and want to sleep in a warm place, no in the middle of the road surrounded by God knows what" trying to reason with the sulking boy on the ground.
The younger crossed his arms, puckering his lips, unwilling to stand up, truth be told he just couldn't get back on his feet as his feet and legs were begging for a break, /I hate to agree with him. But I can't even get up. Although sleeping in a comfy bed wouldn't be a bad idea either. A lot better than sleeping on the ground./
Josh stared at the pensive young male, now a hand under his chin as if he were to make a crucial decision.
Teo spoke after some minutes, looking up, speaking with pouty lips, "Just because you might stumble on your feet and I'd be forced to carry you all the way on my back".
Josh nodded, "Might be the other around.." he mouthed, yet the younger frowned wanting to make out what he said.
The blonde sputtered, annoyed, "Be a man and say it to my face," his fire giving him a little strength to stand on his feet.
The ravenette spoke calmly seeing fire dancing in those bright blue eyes, "I mean if you're starving you could sit down here to get some"
Teo gritted his teeth as his feet could barely hold him up, so he grabbed a nearby wooden chair and smashed his rear on top of it to pretend he was fine, "You're paying for it, please, two of those fish and tomato salad and a big bowl of rice" he asked the elder grinning.
The elder bowed, a gentle wrinkly smile rising up, "On it, young man" turning his back on them, back to the grill, putting two medium sized fish on it, sizzling as drops of water fell over the hot coal.
The ravenette interjected when the elder got back to business, "Please, two of them if it's not too much of a trouble"
The elder shook his head, coating the fish with a kind of sauce, "Not at all, I enjoy giving a helping hand to those in need. Do you want some drinks?"
Josh stared at Teo who only stared back.
"Anything is fine with me, how about you, pal?" Josh asked straight up to the younger.
"Anything but coffee or sour stuff" he scrunched his nose at the thought of coffee near him.
"As you say gentlemen, please, wait a little" the elder answered adding two more fish as he flipped the ones half roasted.
Josh sat at the younger's side after setting his order, staring the boy, analyzing his face to see if he was lying, "I know you didn't want to stay, so I'm obliged to pay as the one forcing it upon yourself is me," the young one broke character punching his arm, not too hard, but to stop him from teasing him.
"Pretty much it, it's not gon' be cheap either. Hope you have enough cash" the boy sassed back.
Josh scratched his eyebrow as he just realized that, indeed, he only had cards on him, "I can always leave this watch as guarantee" he took off his luxury brand new watch beneath his button shirt sleeves.
Teo's mouth gauged open, staring at the costly piece of accessory now laying on the humble and improvised countertable.
"You can't be serious…" looking up at the chocolate-eyed male sitting next to him, not believing he was going to pay for a meal with it.
Josh on the other hand smiled, proud of himself seeing the boy's reaction, not like he was joking, he wouldn't mind to pay for a meal with it as long as it be worthy, and the smell emanating from the sizzling grill was only encouraging him, "I'm dead serious, it looks tasty. I wouldn't mind paying that much for it. Besides, we need a consistent meal if we wanna arrive till the next day." He wasn't wrong, lack of food might be the worst as all they had since morning was coconut.
The elder turned to face them as he started to fill one of the two dishes, "You don't need to pay with that, it's too expensive for a humble meal"
The ravenette looked at him taken aback, "You're lending us a service, it's the least I can do. I don't have cash on me so–"
The elder spoke again, "I know, yet it's way more than I can take as payment" filling up a cup of rice.
Josh wasn't going to back down as he would consider it disrespectful to not pay for the elders services, "Let's see it this way, you take it as guarantee. I promise I'll be back with the money to cover my expenses. How about it?"
Teo stared at the persuasive male on his right then back to the elder seeing their exchange.
"How many days?" The elder asked.
Josh straightened his back showing two fingers, "Two! I mean, after we find shelter tonight I'll go fetch some from a nearby ATM"
The grey-haired chuckled, "I can allow you two to stay at my place tonight, there aren't many houses around the area, the closest one is mine, the next one is a 30 minutes walk away."
Teo's jaw dropped, eyes going as wide as two fried eggs, "you're kidding me, right?"
The elder shook his head, setting the plates in front of him, "No, most people moved to the main port seeking for a more commercial area to sell their products" placing the cutlery on a small metallic plate for him to pick.
Josh spoke as he couldn't believe how such beautiful and calm area could've been ditched for a crowded one, if anything he would pick the peaceful one to take a breaker, "This area has a huge potential to attract business men"
Teo picked up his fork and knife to separate the fish from the bone, but to his surprise he found out it's been out already, he stared at the elder amused at how skilful he might be to do so without compromising the external appearance.
However the elder was back to flip the two fish left on the grill covering with the special sauce, "You could tell, but if I must be honest I wouldn't like it to turn like the port side, most of the natural trees had been replaced for ornamental ones, the place doesn't seem natural as it used to be. I wouldn't like it turning out like that"
Teo ate, considering the elder's words, nodding silently, to which Josh spoke understanding the man's point, "That's at risk, but what about if someone who would care about preserving nature along with bringing a source of income with a small inversion were to set a small business in here?"
The elder took the, now, grilled fish, setting it on a plate, decorating it with fresh tomato salad, his voice gentle when he spoke with a small smile, "That's an awesome idea, but who would be so bold to invest in this humble area?"
Josh grinned brightly, wiggling his eyebrows, trying to empathise who would be the candidate, "Yours truly~ I'd be more than pleased to. We could even build a small restaurant, a recreational area and small hunts with modern tools inside. Besides offering spa service for those who visit us. It'd be like a vacational place for business people who want to unwind, or for those who seek inspiration. Right for someone who seeks peace of mind" in short he was describing himself as he would love to spend his holidays in a quiet place.
The elder placed Josh's meal and his cutlery just like he did with Teo not long ago, "Oh, youngsters, your vision and optimism is admirable. The power and conviction in your words might make a stubborn old man like myself even agree to it."
The ravenette didn't give up, as it would be like his chance to thrive in the wild away from his parent's control to live for himself in a place he's always dreamt of by the sea, "Is that a yes?" Hope present in his subtle words.
The elder chuckled, "You might still need to talk with the neighbors, if we all agree then you might begin with it as soon as you get the approval"
Josh chugged down some water, washing out the fish from his mouth, whilst Teo was halfway done with his meal, listening carefully, "When could we gather them? I mean, can it be within the week? Maybe tomorrow or–"
Teo spoke as the ravenette seemed too into it, "He suggested it, that doesn't mean it's gonna be done right away, give him some time to sort this out. Besides, aren't you rushing with it?"
The elder shook his head to reassure the younger, "It's all good, thanks for worrying. We could organize a meeting by the end of the week,"
The elder's words gave Josh hopes to find his path in life, free from any ties and chains of oppression without having to hide who he truly was from his parents anymore, "Then this is settled, if you allow me, I could stay at your place until the meeting takes place or I might book in a the closest inn"
Teo couldn't believe his ears, he was glad they were going to port the next day but after the ravenette's declaration his future seemed uncertain, not knowing if asking now would be a good idea as he might not like the answer.