Dear Diary,
I woke up to the sounds of laughter and splashing water. Blinking away sleep, I looked up to see two children playing in the pool near the waterfall. Their joyous laughter echoed through the glade, a stark contrast to the heavy silence that had enveloped my life these past few days. For a moment, I just watched them, memories of my own childhood flooding back—memories of playing with my brothers and Lito in the river by our village.
The pain of loss welled up inside me, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. The children noticed my sobs and stopped their play, looking at me with wide, curious eyes. Even Enki, my faithful water buffalo, seemed to sense my sorrow and came closer, nuzzling me gently.
The two kids, a boy and a girl, tentatively approached me. "Are you okay?" the boy asked, his voice small and concerned. He couldn't have been more than eight years old, with tousled brown hair and bright green eyes.
"I'm... I'm fine," I managed to say between sobs. "Just remembering some sad things."
The girl, who looked slightly older, sat down beside me. "It's okay to be sad. My mom says crying helps make the hurt go away."
Her innocent wisdom struck a chord, and I couldn't help but smile through my tears. "Thank you," I said, wiping my eyes. "I'm sorry for scaring you."
Enki gave a soft snort, and the children giggled. "Your buffalo is really cool," the boy said, reaching out to pet Enki's side. Enki accepted the attention, closing his eyes contentedly.
"His name is Enki," I told them. "He's been my companion through all of this."
The girl clapped her hands together. "Enki! That's a nice name. I'm Lina, and this is my brother Tomas."
"I'm Lia," I introduced myself, feeling a strange but welcome sense of connection with these children.
After a few more moments of shared silence, Lina and Tomas coaxed me into joining them in their play. We splashed in the water, laughing and chasing each other. For a brief time, the weight of my grief lifted, replaced by the simple joy of being in the moment. It reminded me of better times, of the love and laughter I once knew.
As we played, I decided to show them my new power, hoping it might bring a bit of magic into our morning. "Do you want to see something cool?" I asked, extending my hands.
The children watched in anticipation as I concentrated, trying to summon the water magic. My palms grew damp, and small droplets of water began to form. It wasn't much, just a faint trickle, but the children's eyes widened in amazement.
"Wow! How did you do that?" Tomas exclaimed, reaching out to touch the water.
"I'm still learning," I said, smiling at their enthusiasm. "It's not easy, but I'll get better."
"You already are!" Lina said encouragingly. "It's like magic!"
Their excitement gave me a boost of confidence, even though I knew I had a long way to go. As we dried off by the edge of the pool, Lina and Tomas invited me to eat with their family. They said they lived in a village not far from here and that their parents would be happy to meet me.
I accepted their invitation, grateful for their kindness. We gathered our things, and with Enki leading the way, we followed the children through a winding path in the jungle. The journey was short, and soon we emerged into a small, bustling village nestled in a clearing.
The village was a warm, welcoming place, with thatched-roof huts and lush gardens. People moved about with purpose, tending to their daily tasks, yet everyone we passed greeted us with smiles and waves. It was a stark contrast to the desolation I had left behind, and for the first time in days, I felt a flicker of hope.
Lina and Tomas led me to their home, a cozy hut near the center of the village. Their parents, a kind-looking couple with warm smiles, greeted me warmly. "Welcome," their mother said, extending her hand. "I'm Marisol, and this is my husband, Raul."
"Thank you for your hospitality," I said, shaking their hands. "I'm Lia."
Marisol and Raul invited me to join them for a meal, and I was overwhelmed by their generosity. We sat down to a hearty meal of roasted fish, fresh vegetables, and fragrant rice. The food was delicious, but more than that, it was the sense of family and community that touched me deeply.
As we ate, I shared a bit about my journey, leaving out the more painful details. Marisol and Raul listened with genuine interest, offering words of encouragement and support. After the meal, they showed me to a small, comfortable room where I could rest.
It was the first time in days that I slept in a real bed, and the simple comfort brought tears to my eyes once more. As I lay there, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the kindness of strangers, for the joy and laughter of children, and for the strength to keep moving forward.
Tomorrow, I would continue my journey with Enki, but tonight, I found solace in the warmth of this village, in the promise of healing, and in the hope of better days to come.
Until tomorrow, Diary.
Lia