Love me like you do

-Come on Paula! It's time for you to have some fun, besides, I'm mad at you because you've let me surf alone for a long time. you have to make it up to me... - you are such a drama queen!- I say, letting out a little laugh. It's true, it's been over 2 months since my feet have touched the beach and I really need the liberating feeling of riding a wave. -Come on, please- Rebeca urges -Ok, fine, I'll come by in 20 minutes and you better be ready by then, you know I don't like waiting. - Yes, yes, yes, I'm almost ready, I'll wait for you at the gate! I love you girl! -I love you too. See you in twenty- I hang up right away. I love Rebeca very much, but sometimes she makes me want to...she's so persistent. I quickly put on my favorite swimsuit, while I decide which board to bring to the beach, shortboard or longboard? I'll take one short and 2 longs. My favorite boards this season. I load a couple of waxes in the boardbag, and some beach towels. I check to see if the sunscreen is still in place and carry a cooler with a couple of water bottles and some fruit. -That’s it, ready to go - I get in the Hummer and I’m on my way to meet my dear friend. -Pau! - She yells out with joy as I park in front of her house. -Did you bring wax? I ran out of- she gives me a shy smile. - Of course I did, for some reason I knew you wouldn't have. - I smile indulgently - Happy birthday babe! - babe is a saying, because in fact she’s turning 33yo today - Thanks Pau, and you know me well- and she is smiling from ear to ear -Yes, I know you like the palm of my hand- I press a button to open the back of the truck so she can put her board in. -And Charly? I thought he would come with us.- she asks as he puts her board and backpack in the trunk. -He'll catch up with us later, I needed him to do some errands for me. She gets in the truck and we head towards the beach. -Don't you miss this? Go surfing without worries? - she asks with nostalgia in her voice, as the sound of the music comes to life. -Not really, I don't have much time to wonder. You know that now I'm a very busy person. - I say and I give her a wry smile. - Yes, I know- and she pouts and sticks out her tongue. - We are a little too old to pout and stick out tongues.-I look at her totally serious. - When did you become like this? So cold ... girl, I love you very much and you know it ... and that's why I tell you things directly to your face, you’ve changed. - Yes, I know that I’m not the same as before, on one hand I’m relieved of that, now I do know who my true friends are. - Pau...Where did you leave the funny Pau? Do you remember a few years ago, when we were totally broke but totally happy? Now you have everything you want, but the truth is, I don’t think you’re happy. You changed a lot after...- leaves the comment hanging. We both know who she’s talking about. -I'm happy, don't worry about me - I smile, but I don't really believe my own words myself. - My favorite song! - she shouts, pulling me out of my thoughts. Turning the volume up to maximum. After some small talk, singing along to the songs, and feeling free again, we hit the beach. In the distance we see waves breaking in a perfect tube, matching today’s day in all its glory -I thought it was going to be bigger- Rebeca says with a hint of disappointment in her voice. - what’s that tone? -I reply -Because my board is not going to pull me. And really, I need to surf. Catch a good wave and let me go.- she says. And suddenly I see an air of sadness on her face. -I have 2 longboards in the truck, in case something like this happened. What's up Rebe? Something is wrong, I can see it in your face, what did that i***t do to you? She looks at me, now with alarmed eyes. Oh yeah, right in the nail one more time. I know that Eugenio did something to her and I have to find out what. I know she won’t tell me but somehow I need to know. -Nothing, everything is fine. Are we going to stay here talking or are we going to ride some waves? - she says turning around and opening the back of the hummer. The sand is hot, but it feels so good under my feet. I look at the point break trying to recognize some of the surfers who are there, putting my left hand over my eyes, trying to cast a shadow. Not seeing anyone I know, I start to wax the board. I love this board so much, it is light blue with yellow patterns, made exclusively for me by Roxy. It is practically new, I’ve had it for 6 months now, but I’ve only used it a couple of times. I make circles with the wax on the board, trying to cover all the possible spaces, so that there is no free space of this precious element. -The last one going in is a rotten egg - Rebe calls as she runs past me. I look at her with joy. She’s still the same carefree girl. I keep the small piece of wax in my bathing suit pocket. I grab the leash on my ankle, take the board, and start walking towards the water. Enjoying every step. Like it was the first time. When my feet finally touch the water, I feel at peace. A peace that I had not felt in a long time. I had forgotten that the pleasures of life are in nature. The water, the mountains, the jungle, the snow. I had forgotten how good it felt to be here, in the water waiting for a wave. With the water at the level of my knees, I place the board on the water and wet it little by little, once again presenting the board to the sea, showing the respect it deserves. I walk a little further in and get on the board and start paddling, heading for the point. After fighting the tide and the crashing waves, I hit the right spot to catch waves. I see around me the surfers who are there. I see familiar faces, known from so many times we've crossed paths, but no one I really know. I see Rebe swimming towards me. -We are the eldest here- because we are the ones who have surfed the longest. - No wonder I didn't see anyone I knew. - I do know a couple of them, do you want me to introduce them to you? - she asks wishfully. - I didn’t come to socialize, I came to surf- I tell her while splashing water towards her. I set in position to take the wave. I paddle and ride it ... woah! this is so relaxing. Returning from that first wave, I find myself surrounded by the stares of everyone present. I guess it's because of the hang ten I just did. -I’m guessing the stares are for the hang ten - I state to Rebe smiling. -Paula that was great! And yes, that's why, I think you just got yourself some admires- and she makes those strange giggles that only she knows how to do -Come, I'm going to introduce you to some friends- she adds. - Are you coming to socialize or surf? - I scold her jokingly- I'm going to enjoy the day, with the serenity of the long.- I smile and I swim away to catch the next wave. After catching a few waves, or maybe a couple of hours later, and seeing Rebe enjoying surfing with me, I feel good, without worries. This is what I love about surfing, the calmness that gives you after enjoying nature. -I'm going out- Rebe shouts in the distance, making a gesture with her hand, pointing to the shore. I give her the "ok" sign with my hand, and with gestures I say, one more and I go out too. I have to do this more often.- What if I buy a house on the beach? That way I shouldn't drive long to get here. - I dismiss the thought right away, shaking my head to myself. I think having money is affecting me. -Here comes the good one- I say aloud, the wave that has been rising in the distance is perfect. I position myself, I paddle, and here I am, on this perfect wave. I calmly observe that a tube is being formed ahead of me and I bend down to be able to fit perfectly. I get out of the tube, get up and do a turn towards the shore and the wave gently carries me to the end. - Good wave there- articulates one of the guys who are with Rebe, while she hands me a towel to dry myself. - Thank you- looking at him calculatingly and smiling hypocritically. -Pau, this is Emilio, Eugenio’s friend - Rebe introduces me, pointing to the guy on her left. A tall guy, 1.85m maybe, white complexion brown hair, his skin is beautifully tanned, perfectly marked abs, I have to admit that he is not bad at all, and he wears green boardshorts with brown spots that let that delicious V peeking out leading to a happy place. - and he is Edgar, Emilio's friend- now pointing to the guy on the right, who wears the same style of boardshorts as the previous one, but in a different color, he is also tall, blond hair burned by the sun that falls slightly on his blue eyes, and he's totally tanned. -Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Paula - I say while shaking hands with each one. - Rebeca says that you’ve been surfing for a little over 15 years, is it true? - Emilio asks, trying to make conversation, I guess. - Yes, sort of, in fact, a little more than that, how long have you been surfing? - I ask, looking at the both of them, alternately. -Phew! About 13 years, not as long as you - Edgar answers, smiling. Coquettishly? Agh, another one of those. - oh good - I reply curtly, I don't want to spend more time with these two.- I turn towards the hillside that overlooks the street, I see Charly standing up raising his hand towards me. I raise my hand indicating that I have seen him and we’re ready to go - Rebeca we have to go, Charly is here. - I announce. -Sounds good to me, just let me say my goodbyes- -Catch me there, will you? - - of course - she gives me that little smile that only Rebe can give Saying a quick goodbye to the guys, I start to walk towards the truck. I couldn't bear to spend another minute with them. -Good afternoon, Miss Ambroa, how was your surf session today? - Charly asks as he stretches his hands reaching for the longboard. - Good, small waves today. Everything okay with the package I asked for? -All good, miss, the package is at home, ready for delivery.- he answers obediently. - Very well. Thanks.- I put my things in the truck, I give the keys to Charly. I love driving, but today I'm so tired that I don't know if I'm going to endure 5 minutes of driving without falling asleep. I take a bottle of water from the cooler, and enjoy sip by sip of the water. Ahh, I really needed this. I am about to eat a banana when I hear the voice of my beloved surfing partner. - Hi Charly- Rebe greets him - Good afternoon, Miss Lopez. - Here you are. -Where did you want me to be? - I ask with a frown. - You know what I mean, you ran away from there. - I told you, I'm not in the mood to socialize. -Well, I'm sorry friend- she puts her left arm on my shoulder.- you're going to have to change that mood because I want you ready for tonight's party- she adds and ends with a great shout that reflects joy. Right. The party. Normally I would come up with some excuse, but this time I can't get rid of it - okay, I'll unleash my charms today- I smile at her, winking and handing her a vater bottle. -Finally! Perfect! - and she hugs me jumping.- I invited the guys, I'm sure they’ll go, so Pau, you have to make amends for what just happened. - To make amends? I'm really not interested - I grumble. -But it seems that they are, I think they liked you ... both of them.-she adds - who knows, maybe you can have some action tonight - she said winking at me and elbowing one of my sides. - I noticed, that's why I'm telling you, I'm not interested. But okay, I'll make the effort to be nicer tonight at your party, but don't ask me more than that, do you understand? - I finished saying with a big smile. -Ok, no problem, at least you're going to have fun for a while. -Well, let's go, I have many things to do before going to your party. We take Rebe to her house and she says goodbye shouting: -I'll see you at ten Ambroa, don't even think about no showing up!