The Beginning Of The End

The early morning was cool and calm. The beach was quiet, the coconut trees scattered across the retreat were still, almost like they were sleeping, and the water was like a slab of slightly rippled glass, reflecting the splendor of the sunrise. The tranquility was what Matt always woke up for, to experience the world as it were before the chaos of the day began. He stood by the patio of Lighthouse Bungalow with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He must have heard that name before but for the life of him, he could only recall one moment at this point, when that name meant something to him. It was the time when Jasmine and he decided to name the baby should it be girl. The bittersweet memory flashed before him.

She never wanted that baby. She made it clear to him. That is why he was in Langkawi. That is why he left for twenty years. He never understood or maybe could not bring himself to understand why she never wanted a part of us to live on. She opted to fix an already broken marriage than start a new life with him and it shattered him to pieces. When she told him that she was going to abort the pregnancy, he was devastated and when she finally told him that the marriage was worth saving it just took all the life out of him. So he left and that was some twenty odd years ago.

"Hi", he heard her say and for a while he thought it was Jasmine. Isla startled him out of his wondering dream. He turned to face her and there she was standing by the doorway. She sounded so much like her, Matt thought to himself.

"Hey there, what you doing up so early?"

"I couldn't sleep and I saw you from my window", she was pointing up to the second floor window as she smiled.

"Ganesan told me that you this often so I thought I'd come and see what all the fuss is about", her smile almost sarcastic but it was beautiful nonetheless.

"What, standing on the patio in the early morning?" Matt asked, slightly confused.

"No, staring at the beach. He told me you do it often. In fact he said you do it everyday around sunset but he didn't say you do it in the mornings too", her look was more concerned than worried.

"I should stitch that bastards mouth shut when I see him next", she knew he was joking despite the serious look on his face. She giggled slightly.

"So he's right then?" she asked as she moved closer to him. He kept silent watching the crack of dawn. Isla sat by the steps and stared into the early morning sunrise too.

"He says it’s matters of the heart", she continued, still absorbing the beauty of the still morning.

"You ask way too many questions, kiddo", Matt suggested.

"Let me ask a few then I might answer yours", he looked at her and smiled.

"Shoot", she snapped, not looking at him.

"Why are you here by yourself?"

"Because I'm checking it out for my mum. She went through therapy for cancer about six months ago and I just thought that it would be good for her to chill in a quiet and peaceful place. She deserves the break from reality I guess. So here I am checking it out."

"So far, so good?"

"It's perfect actually. She'll like it very much."

"So when does she get here?"

"I'll ring her later to tell her the good news then she should be here tomorrow morning, if all goes well", she said.

"Is she ok? Your mum, is she fit to go for a holiday?" Matt asked.

"Yeah, she is. She's still her cheerful self. She's strong like that."

The sun was now above the horizon and the bright orange and yellow morning sunlight lit up the dark blue sky. The clouds were heavy and wind was just breezing in slightly.

"Listen, I better get cracking with breakfast", Matt said quickly.

"Hey, It's your turn to answer some questions mister?!!" Isla said, almost shouting. She still had that smile on her face.

"I will, I promise, just not now. Give me your mother's details and I'll get that loud-mouthed Ganesan to pick her up from the airport", Matt said as he walked back into the retreat.

"What's her name?" Matt shouted from inside.

"Jasmine Raslan", Isla said and Matt just stopped in his tracks and turned to face her.

"Is your dad coming too?" He asked. He just had to know.

"I never knew my father." His heart was racing.