Last night, we were completely exhausted because of the journey, but everything was fine now thanks to the soft, cloud-like beds in our rooms. I woke up early because I was too excited to see the ocean. I had always dreamed of diving into the sea, doing scuba diving, and finding a clownfish and a blue tang, just like in the movies. I'm not exactly an expert at diving, though... but I do have years of experience in drowning.
After taking a long, refreshing bath, I marched straight to my parents' room to wake them up so we wouldn't miss the complimentary breakfast. It was free on weekends... and come on, who doesn't love free food? I definitely do. If someone offered me free air, I'd probably ask for a second serving.
While everyone else was getting ready, I headed straight to the hotel's park. It was huge... like seriously huge. There were so many crazy rides that a kid could become hyper just by looking at them. Since I'm naturally attracted to bad decisions, I decided to start with the monkey bars... because, obviously, monkey see, monkey do.
I grabbed the first bar with confidence... and then gravity reminded me who was really in charge. I landed straight on my butt before even reaching the second bar.
"Huhhh... okay, that was just a warm-up," I muttered while pretending nobody saw that. Unfortunately, everybody saw that.
"Fine... let's try something else."
The trampoline looked much friendlier. I climbed onto it and decided I was about to perform the greatest backflip mankind had ever witnessed... despite never attempting one before in my entire life. A few little kids gathered around me with sparkling eyes, probably expecting an Olympic gymnast.
I didn't want to disappoint them.
I jumped as high as I could, convinced that staying in the air longer would somehow give my brain enough time to learn a backflip. Spoiler alert... it didn't.
Instead of landing like a superhero, I landed face-first like a dropped pancake.
The entire park burst into laughter. Even a pigeon looked disappointed in me.
While I was busy embarrassing my ancestors, everyone else had already gone for breakfast. I quickly ran after them because I wasn't about to sacrifice free sandwiches for my dignity.
"Okay, kids," Mom whispered, "behave like an elite family because I don't want the other guests thinking a group of wild Homo sapiens has invaded their peaceful breakfast."
"You don't have to worry about me," Adeeb replied confidently, "but I'm not so sure about these two."
"That's an allegation, you alligator!" I replied, crossing my arms dramatically.
"Wow," Farha sighed while holding her forehead. "I can't believe an elegant girl like me has to be called their sister."
"Just be yourselves, kids," Dad whispered. "I'll handle your mother."
Mom slowly turned her head and narrowed her eyes.
"Who exactly did you say you'll handle?"
Dad instantly switched into survival mode.
"I said... I'll handle your purse and accessories while you peacefully enjoy your breakfast."
Mom stared at him for a few seconds before continuing to eat.
Dad had survived another day.
After eating our breakfast like a family of hungry baboons that had just discovered civilization, we headed to the beach. Dad started setting up the umbrella and picnic mat while we kids rushed toward the water.
"This ocean is calling me!" I shouted dramatically like the captain of a pirate ship.
"Then allow me the honor of throwing you into it myself," Adeeb replied.
"Why is ocean water salty?" Farha asked, crossing her arms.
"Maybe because fishes pee in it!" I answered proudly, as if I had just earned a PhD in Marine Biology.
"They also poop in it," Adeeb added, completing my scientific research.
Farha froze.
"...Then should we really go swimming?"
Before either of us could answer, she sprinted into the water anyway.
I grabbed my swimming tube and chased after her while Adeeb swam much farther into the ocean like he had secretly evolved into a dolphin. Farha and I stayed near the shore because we were both terrified of deep water. At least near the edge, we could still feel our feet touching the sand... or at least convince ourselves we could.
"Adeeb! Don't swim too far!" I shouted. "I don't want a shark adding you to its breakfast buffet!"
"Don't worry," he shouted back. "Even sharks have standards."
Suddenly, Farha pointed excitedly toward the beach.
"Hey! Look! A crab!"
"Whoa! Let's go catch it!" I yelled as I rushed toward it.
Seeing us run away from the water, Adeeb became curious and followed us.
"It's so bing!" Farha said with sparkling eyes.
"It's big, not bing, you ediot," Adeeb corrected.
"You mean idiot?" I laughed.
"...Whatever."
The poor crab looked at the three of us like it regretted waking up that morning.
"Should we catch it," I asked, "or let it go?"
"No," Adeeb replied. "Even if we catch it, what exactly are we going to do with it? Ask it for its autograph?"
"That's... actually kind of sad," Farha said with watery eyes.
The crab wisely used that emotional moment to escape sideways at full speed.
"Hey! I have an idea!" I suddenly shouted. "Let's build sandcastles!"
"Yeah! Let's go!" Farha cheered.
Soon all three of us were building our masterpieces.
I wanted my castle to look like it had survived ten wars and was still ready for another one.
Farha was building a beautiful castle for mermaids.
Adeeb's castle...
...looked exactly like an office building.
I stared at it for a few seconds.
"What... is that?" I asked with a cracked smile.
"It's my office building," Adeeb replied proudly, raising his fist into the air. "This is where I work as a Soldier of Graphics."
"...Even on vacation?"
"The deadlines never take holidays."
We all stood silently for a moment to respect his imaginary workload.
"And what about you, Farha?" I asked as I walked toward her.
"I'm building this for mermaids," she replied with complete seriousness. "Once it's finished, I'll place it in the water so they can move in."
She smiled proudly, as if she had just solved the global housing crisis for underwater creatures.