Down System

Chapter 42

KEEVAN ANDRE

"Keevan, you should swim now."

It was a season of summer in Shekihah. I was with my family at the beach, spending time since it was all our off from school and work.

I refused to go because I was still feeling the fresh air under the coconut tree; Mom insisted, but that didn't change my mind to just stay where I was.

It had been months now since we left Hades. We had to depart because Mom and Dad's business was in Shekihah; they told me things would be better when we live here, and so, they made it possible.

If I were only to decide, I would not leave Hades. I loved that place since it was where I was born. Aside from that, all of my friends were there; Aleera was also there— the girl whom I'd always wanted to tease.

It was just crazy to think about, but I missed joking about Aleera. I would like to talk to her and meet her again, but that would not happen anymore, since Mom and Dad told me we would be staying here in Shekihah for a lifetime.

From swaying under the coconut tree, I went to the cottage and approached my mother, who was alone there and preparing the food.

"Mom," I mouthed, "are we really going to visit Hades no longer?"

She paused from what she was doing and barely moved her sight at me. "We already talked about it, right, Keevan?"

"Yeah, but I don't think so I'm gonna concur with your decision."

"Why?" Mom folded her brow. "You wanna come to Hades again?"

I nodded. "Actually, I wanna live there again. I don't want here anymore. I just want to go back to where I feel belonged."

Since I stayed in Shekihah, my life had changed, even my behavior. My daily encounter when I was in Hades was good and memorable, unlike here— boring and wasted. I didn't have so many friends here because people here were too hard to understand. The majority of my schoolmates were not speaking English; neither I was fluent in their language.

The cultures in Shekihah were something difficult to relate to. I didn't feel connected with society. The activities in this land were weird, crazy, that I did not want to do them.

The environment also sucked. I had no problem with the landscape because it was pleasing to the eye, just with the people and their behavior. Aside from they were not that easy to catch, they were also unhappy. I didn't know why their faces were always scathed. Shekihahs boys were not cool and the girls were not beautiful. How would I love them the way I did with Hades?

Also, Shekihah was a poor country. Most of the people had no work; I just didn't get why my parents chose to build their business here; they did not share that much with me about the happenings in their work.

"You have friends here, right?" Mom raised her brow as she put down the plate she was holding, then crossed her arms. "It's been months, Keevan, you hear that? It's been months since we stayed here and I don't believe you with that. I know who you are."

"They are not my friends, Mom, they are just acquaintances. And if you think I am also friendly here like I used to do when we were in Hades, well, you're wrong, Mom."

"Tell me, what stops you from doing the things you used to do and from showing your real color?"

"The entire Shekihah, Mom," I answered. "I don't like all the people here, the places, the cultures, and this damn beach."

"Keevan!" my mother shouted at me. "Shut your mouth or I will beat you."

"I'm just saying the truth, Mom. Is it now prohibited to speak out my opinion on things? We are still in a democratic country, aren't we? Then, that means, I still have the freedom of speech."

"Just cut it out," Mom said, affirmed.

"At least you've heard my viewpoint, Mom. Now, you can think clearly about what to do with me."

Mom walked towards me and smiled. "Thanks, my son. Now, I know what to do with you." She pinched my ear and whirled it around.

"A-ah!" I groaned. "Mom, stop it!"

"I won't stop until you learned your lesson."

"Okay, I give up!" I said for her to stop hurting me in that crazy way; when she let go of my ear, I held it and still moaned of pain. "I still wanna leave!" I told her and ran away in haste.

Mom shouted and tried stopping me how many times, but she wasn't able, since I was running swiftly.

When I was already worn out, I stopped and stayed in an empty cottage. I was laughing so hard because Mom did not catch me. But after some time, I did not notice the tears falling through my cheeks.

Why was it too hard for them to understand me? Why would they refuse to give me the favor?

I was wailing over the wish I knew would not be granted. But even though how much I would exert an effort to stop my parents from the thing that only they liked, I would not change their minds. So, I just wiped my tears and halted crying.

After minutes of sitting in the cottage, I stood and continued walking. I lied when I described this beach as stupid, I just wanted to convince Mom to get out of this place. In fact, this beach was a place of calm and peace.

I knew I was broke, but hearing the waves mended my heart. My mind was full of thoughts, but seeing the breathtaking view washed all the trash inside my mind. My body was heavy, but stepping on the soft, white sand lessened my burden and brought me a feeling of lightness.

Still enjoying the beach, I planned to dive into the water. Now, I was ready to swim since I had already escaped from my problem— even for just some time. I was about to go when someone from nowhere shouted and said,

"Keevan!"