Existence

“Here your key is. ” the receptionist said, smiling to Luka and handed the key. “Third floor, room 302” he added.

“Thank you “ Luka said and got the key, put it in his pocket then lifted his bag and put it on his back. He started to walk towards the stairs. Since he felt very tired of travelling, he climbed the stairs slowly. When he came up to the third floor, he looked at the room number written on the key and kept walking. He stood at the door, drew a deep breath and released slowly. He opened the door and took a step inside. He looked up and saw a man staring at him.

“Oh! I am so sorry” Luka said. He didn’t expect to see anyone so he got suprised. “Sorry again. ” he said and got out of the room immediately. He checked the room number on the door again and the key in the room door. Nothing seemed wrong. He was confused and then the door is opened. 

“Hello” the man said. “You must be my room mate “ he added.

“Am I?” Luka asked.

“Seems that way! Because you could open the door with your key and there is an extra bed in the room” the man explained, pointing to the bed.

“I didn’t know it’s a room for two “ Luka said.

“Would it be a problem?”

Luka thought for a second and smiled. “No, it’s so cheap anyway”

“Good to know. My name is Alex”

“Luka”

“Come on in Luka”

Luka entered the room, walked up to the bed, left his bag on the ground and sat on the bed

“You look exhausted” Alex said

“It was such a long trip”

“ I bet it was. Considering this island is in the middle of nowhere.” Alex said, smiling.

“Yeah. It is far away from anywhere.” Luka smiled back

“Right. But it is such a paradise here”

“How long have you been here?”

“one week. How long are you planning to stay here?”

“I’m not sure”

“Just like me! I never plan”

“Actually I used to plan very much before but not anymore.”

“Cool”

“Yeah”

After a short pause Luka said “nice to meet you but I need to get some rest”

“Yeah me too. It is time to have a siesta in the island”

“Oh ok. I didn’t know it”

“There are many thing for you to discover in the island”

“I guess so”

“Look. I can show you around after you wake up if you want”

Luka seemed hesitant at first and then he made his mind. “ Yes I really want it. Thank you”

“Ok then. See you later. Have a nice sleep.”

“Ok. You too”

Luka opened his eyes slowly. He slept for almost four hours and felt well rested. He got out of the bed and looked around but couldn’t see Alex . He wanted to go out and discover the island so he took a fast shower and put his clothes on. As soon as he is ready to go out, Alex got in the room.

“You finally woke up”

“Yes i did. But I thought you were gone “ Luka said.

“No, I always keep my word. So are you ready for our tour?”

“Can we start off with eating dinner. I’m so hungry”

“Sure, you can try street food along the beach. They are so delicious”

“Yeah. Lets try”

When Luka and Alex got out of the hotel, the sun was about to go down. They walked towards the beach through the trees. When they arrived at the beach, Luka stood for a while and watched the view. Endless turquoise sea, the beach with golden sand and green forest behind them.

“Fascinating, isn’t it?” Alex asked confidently

“Yes, absolutely”

“After they enjoyed the view for a while, they went to the portable food booth. They bought two of traditional foods of the island and sat on the beach side by side. Luka took a bite and started to chew while Alex was looking at him carefully.

“How do you like it” Alex asked curiosly

“Yesss, so good”

“I told you”

They enjoyed their meal without talking for a short while and then Alex turned to Luka.

“So what’s your story? What are you doing here all alone? “ Alex asked.

Luka kept on chewing and swallowed then wiped his mouth on the back of his hand.

“Umm I don’t know how to explain”

“Give it a try”

“Actually I’m searching for my happiness”

“in here?”

“Not specifically here. I mean everywhere”

 “Are you sad?”

“No I’m not. Not being happy doesn’t mean that you are sad”

“What do you feel then?”

“I can’t feel happy but I really want to feel happy”

“So you’ve been travelling the world to feel happy?”

“A kind of”

“Have you ever thought if there’s easier way than this?”

“Yeah I did actually. I though the people around me were stopping me from being happy so I got away from them”

“Did It work?”

“Not really”

Alex smiled and noded his head

“Then I thought I can’t be happy bacause of my job. so I quited”

“Did It help”

“No, unfortunately”

“Then what?”

“Then I thought I could be happy elsewhere. Since then I have been travelling all over the world

“So are you happy now?”

Luka smiled bitterly and answered.

“No”

When they were done with chatting, it was already dark. Everyone had left the beach. They walked out of the beach as well. Alex started to show Luka around. He gave information about all the touristic places he knew. They also talked about their life back in their countries.

It was almost midnight. There were few people left around. Alex and Luka was walking down the street by the sea.

“Do you want to swim?” Alex asked.

“Right now?” Luka said, not taking it serious.

“Have you swum in the sea at night?    

“No I haven’t”  

“Come on then!”

Alex walked into the beach again and Luka followed him and then they both lost in the dark

“Alex, I don’t know if it’s a good idea. Plus our shorts will be wet.

“They won’t be wet if we take them off “ Alex said and started to take off all of his clothes. Luka looked at Alex in surprise.

“Don’t worry. No one can see you” Alex said and ran to the sea naked. Luka didn’t know what to do at first and then he got naked and ran to the sea

“Here you are” Alex said.

“Sea is very warm and I really like it” Luka said

“Yeah I love swimming in the dark. It feels great”

“And also eerrie”

“Why?”

“I dont know. May be it is because I’m naked and it’s so dark around.”

“What does it have to do with being naked?”

“It feels like something come to me and bite my dick off”

Alex started to laugh and Luka laughed too.

“Why would it bite your dick off and not your little finger? Why are you worried only about your dick?”

Luka paused for a moment and then he answered.

“I have to admit that your comparison hurt me” Luka said, laughing . “ Secondly, My dick is more important to me than my little finger”

“Fair enough” Alex said, laughing along with Luka. 

Alex and Luka swam back to beach and put their clothes on. Luka squeezed the water out of his hair. Alex laid back on the warm sand and then Luka laid back next to him

“So what’s your story, Alex?” Luka asked, watching the stars.

“I’m just happy. Whereever I am, whatever I’m doing, whoever I’m with, I’m always happy”

Luka turned his head to Alex and asked so curiously.

“How do you do that Alex?”

“Happiness is within us, Luka” Alex said, staring at Luka

“Is it?”

“Yes. A wise man answered it a thousand years ago“

Alex looked up the sky and started to recite.

“Without me, these roses, these cypresses do not exist

no red lips, no fragrant wines

no mornings, evenings, joys or worries

The world exists as long as I think

It doesn’t if I don’t exist"