Under the Sea

With one final deep breath from the air, she pressed the button and slowly sank down. Water enveloped her shoulder, her neck, her face and finally her hair.

Down and down she went.

She felt her lungs compressed and then sharp pain seized her ear drums.

“Keep breathing! Keep breathing!” A voice in her head cried out repeatedly. She jerked around and pressed her nose, blowing air out with all her might. The tension on her eardrums instantly loosened.

She quickly gasped in air through her mouthpiece. Oxygen filled her lungs and she felt relieved. She then exhaled. Bubbles formed and surrounded her face. She turned around 360 degrees, viewing through the lens.

Blue.

Exotic blue.

Beautiful exotic blue.

Yes, she was breathing inside this beautiful exotic blue water. She looked up, sunrays sliced through the water creating a mesmerizing lighting effect. A big school of yellow barracudas swirled around the moving sunlight as if they were dancing waltz.

She wanted to smile but her lips were wrapped tightly around the mouthpiece. She saw someone in front waving and pointing at a direction. She positioned her body horizontally and started kicking towards their instructor and her group eagerly.

Marine life is full of variety and interesting indeed.

There were tiny cute clown fishes poking their heads in and out of the anemone.

There were angel fishes swimming ever so gracefully.

There were trigger fishes meandering around the sand, protecting their territory.

She heard a faint metal clanking sound ahead. It was a signal from their instructor that she’d spotted something unusual. She swam faster towards them. Then she saw it, a big blue spotted stingray lurking behind some corals, almost as big as her chest. The blue spots looked like neon lights on its dull grey body.

The group continued the journey.

Once in a while, the instructor turned around to make sure they are following closely behind and also checked their air gauges to make sure oxygen supply is sufficient.

Along the way, she saw more and more colourful fishes, pretty corals, appealing sea creatures that previously she could only see on the television screen. It was so gorgeous, so surreal.

Suddenly the metal clanking sound from their instructor grew louder and more persistent. She quickly scanned the surroundings and was shocked to see an enormous turquoise fish swimming towards her. She was terrified and thrilled at the same time. The fish swam nearer and nearer, she could see the baring front teeth, the bump on its head and its big eyes.

She did not remember blinking at the sight. While she was having thoughts of escaping, the big fish turned its direction. Then she saw more, five more, ten more, fifteen…they were everywhere, left and right, front and back as if surrounding them.

She could see her buddies looking at the fishes in awe. Even though they could only communicate through hand signals, their body language already showed sign of uncontained enthusiasm and joy. We watched passively as the fishes swam by while chomping on corals.

They stayed for more than 5 min before they were willing to move on. As the oxygen pressure was going low, they swam back towards the starting point.

Reluctantly she emerged from the surface of the water, inflating her jacket and took away her mouthpiece. All of them yelled in delight due to the contented journey.

As for her, deep down she knew she’d found her lost spirit. The calmness and comfort she felt underwater was inexplicable. It was so pure as if it could heal a broken heart, as if it could clean a sinful soul. It seemed like a fantasy yet it was reality. At that moment she believed she was where she belongs.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the touch of the wind as they cruised back to the island. She knew her mind and her heart were both at ease.

She loves the sun.

She loves the sand.

She loves the sea.

She loves her newfound interest. Diving…