Destinytion #1:
Paisu Pok, The Hidden Majestic Lake: Where The Ancienty Heals Your Anxiety
She stared closely at the simple brown frame with a wonderful picture in it on her desk. A picture of a girl smiling widely to the camera with a beautiful lake at her back, which forced her brain to reminisce her memory of that place.
"I miss them," she said slowly.
She can’t sleep. She wondered what made her like that. Is it because of the hard-cold floor of the airport or the atmosphere around her which was getting cooler and cooler, no one know, and she didn’t know either. Maybe she was excited because she would visit a place that was completely new for her. Or maybe because of the feelings of worry about her existence that will either be accepted or not in that place. Yeah, it could be. Or is it because she missed her boyfriend? Ah, that’s impossible. She was not related to anyone at that time, although there was a loyal name who always popped at the top of her WhatsApp chat.
To get to that place, she had to get on a plane 2 times, then the journey continued by using the ship, fortunately she took a speedboat that only took 2 hours long, who knows what would happen if she had to board by a ferry that took 7 hours long, she could die of boredom probably. And it’s not done yet, she still had to take maybe 3 hours of land road trip before she arrived at her destination. A village that will be her place to stay for quite a long time, maybe for almost 50 days.
Along with her 29 other friends, they conducted a community development project in that village. A small seaside village which had a wonderful scenery. Even until now, that village still has a special place in her heart. She still considers that village as one of her places to "come home". Yes, that village is so valuable to her, that village taught her a lot of things, they called that village, Lukpanenteng.
In that village she found her escape, a place that could vaporize all of the burdens on her shoulders. Although it’s only for a while, but it’s way more than enough for her to be able to inhale with a rather relieved breath, as if the chain that curbed her chest was dissolved in that place. That place was a lake, and that lake was so amazing. Majestic. Not even any single of the biblical words can describe how beautiful that lake was. They called it, Paisu Pok.
The locals said that paisu means water and pok means black or dark. Yes indeed though, just before becoming a great beautiful lake like this time, that lake was very dark covered in huge trees that grow around it. In addition, that lake was became a place for the disposal of coconut husk by the villagers. But thanks to the persistence of some young village people there, finally this lake has seen its beauty. Even now that lake is the leading tourism destination in that village.
There were several small wooden huts were built around the lake. There were 2 boats that can be used to get around the lake at that time. And also the locals built 2 little docks to anchor the boat, or just as a place to sit and relax.
At the bottom of the lake were seen many branches, twigs, and tree trunks that had been there for a pretty long time. Those things made that lake look so ancient. The water was crystal clear, as clear as glass. The air around the lake was always cool, no matter how hot the weather was. The sound of the chirping birds broke the silence of the lake beautifully. Right from the first moment she set her foot on the edge of the lake, she fell in love. Since then, she oftenly went to that lake alone. Since that time, that lake also accompanied her to think, contemplate her lamenting life, and she even cried there.
She still remembered that day. That day was still too early for them to start their work-program that they had planned. She had woken up and decided to go to the lake, just to enjoy the morning breeze there. There was no one there. In her solitude she pondered. She sat in one of the wooden huts there. Before long, she heard the sound of soles clashing with the dried leaves that had fallen on the ground. She wandered her eyes, finding out who was the cause of the sound.
Her gaze fell on a boy walking towards her. She knew that kid. A boat rower on that lake. His name is Rafael, the boy was in grade 2 of junior high school at the time. He is quite close to her. He joined her in the log cabin. They gave a light pleasantries, and for the rest, the things that heard only the sound of their breathing, and maybe their heartbeat. Even though not a single word was said between them, there was no slightest awkward feeling there. They enjoyed each others company.
"What do you want to be, Rafael?" she asked, breaking the silence.
"What do I want to be?" he asked back after a slight pause, she exhaled deeply while nodding her head. Someone once told her that it was really frustrating if your question was answered with also a question.
"Yes, what do you want to be when you grow up?" she repeated. Honestly, she hates repeating questions. However, this little boy can always bring a tenderness in her.
"Don't know. I haven't thought about what I want to be," he answered, way too casually.
She nodded. She agreed with the boy. No need to rush to determine that. Yet when she was in grade 2 of her junior high school, that question would present a distinctive pounding in her heart. She always wanted to be someone who had a big impact for others. A UNICEF program planner, a country ambassador, and even a president, who used to be her answer for that such of question. She remembered how confident she was with that answer, sure and certain, with no doubt.
How pathetic, because when she grows up, she only wants to be someone who is able to live a simple life without hatred and regret. As simple as that.
"Here, I feel so comfortable, calm, and peaceful. I definitely miss this place when I get home later" she said.
There was no answer from the boy, because what she was saying was not a question, and she didn’t need any response to that. She had enough of things to disturb her brain. Starting from the work-program that she had to do for their community development project, her family problem which is not really over anytime soon, her college problems, and any other problems that seemed to be marching in her brain, forced to be resolved immediately.
She is always overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety, fear, and worry for all these times. The path that she took, and the decision that she made, always succeed in making her doubt. Is this really the best? Is this really what it should be? The doubt always arises. The uncertainty always comes. By the time, fear and worry make her weaker and weaker, while the anxiety inside her keeps getting stronger.
However, being there at that beautiful lake slightly disguised her feelings. All of those uncertain feelings fade away slowly. It's really soothing.
They stayed for quite long, then boy finally had to leave because there was something he needed to be taken care of. She was alone again. It was not a real problem, she was already used to it herself. She likes to be alone actually, but she hates feeling alone. And there, she didn’t feel lonely. As if she could talk with the lake water to talk about something interesting. The coolness of the air there seemed to hug her fragile shape that had been pretending to be tough for all this time.
She saw her reflection in the lake water, the weak side she had never shown to others was clearly visible there. And there, she laid down the burden that she had endured, hoping that the charm of the lake would heal it. Sounds crazy, but that’s the truth. And those made her believe in one thing. The one thing that she had in mind always.
Nature has its own way to always be able to make you calm.
She looked at that picture for a pretty long time. Both the corners of her lips lifted, creating a beautiful arch that adorned her face. Remembering the memories in that place always managed to make her smile. The burden might not disappear, but that lake was able to teach her how to make peace with life. How to deal with life, wisely. It was as if the God had created the lake to make her aware that even though she was completely alone in her fear and doubt, or when her anxiety came to attack her anytime, the nature would calm her, the nature would not leave her, and the earth will always love her.
She rubbed the edge of that picture softly, she smiled and said quietly, even it sounded like she was almost whispering.
"I will be back, soon"
