The sun rose and the light penetrated the curtain from the window. Ilaya's eyelashes flickered out and she opened her eyes. She got up from the bed and sat. She then looked around the room and felt lonely and lost.
'I wonder if I had anyone who knows me and could help me in my situation'
She stood and walked towards the window and opened it, she then stared at the city bathing in the morning light. There are many people walking around and going where they want to, need to. Purposeful and with a destination, unlike me who doesn't know where to go.
I'm surrounded by lots of people and in the middle of a city, but the feeling makes me much more aware how alone I am.
'Where will I go? And where is my destination?'
This sucks, this feeling is. Can I remember my forgotten memories? Is everything going to be alright if I remember what I've forgotten? Can I survive in my state? What should I do?
She stared outside and started to work her brain
"First, In order to remember anything about me, I need to travel and go to places that hopefully will make me remember at least a bit. Second, I need to find places that make me feel nostalgic or deja Vu, whether it be places or things. Third, I have a clue already. I need to go to that address, maybe that place will give me a little bit of insight as to who I am."
Having planned her goal, she planned to bathe again but before she took a step. Something flashes through her eyes. She looked at the source and it's the ring on her finger that reflects the sunlight. She didn't even notice it all this time, maybe because of the troubles and confusion of all that happened to her when she woke up
Ilaya walked to the table and sat in the chair, then removed the ring on her index finger and studied it.
The ring looks pretty, it's like a transparent crystal and there's glittering inside it. Like trapped stars of the night sky. I weigh it off and it's as light as a feather, when it's being hit by light, the starry glitter inside the ring starts sparkling with different colors. It's mesmerizing.
'Maybe this ring is a clue? But I never seen ring like this'
Just from a glance and it's clear that it's extremely valuable. I'm worried that it's going to get me into trouble if I flamboyantly wear it like this so it's going in my pocket for now. I need to buy a necklace to put it through. But for now, I need to buy some clothes and other things, then head to that address.
With her plan finalized, Ilaya then get busy washing her body and after that, she put her clothes back on again. She's starting to get annoyed by wearing only one set of clothes so she immediately set off to buy clothing. She even skipped her meal because she wants to eat some street foods because she's craving.
'I wonder what food I'll be having?'
She started walking outside, and see a lot of people walking around. She couldn't help but sigh,
I miss the atmosphere last night. Less people with cold breeze as I walked at the street illuminated with flashes of light. I don't really like being in the company of lots of people. I like being alone because it calms me down and it's not noisy.
'Well, that life I guess. You don't always get what you want'
As Ilaya walked, she saw a takoyaki store at the corner. She smelled the fragrance and her mouth immediately salivated. She gulped and headed there immediately and bought one. As she stand and eat while watching the lively city waking up. All sorts of people walking and even some foreigners taking pictures here and there.
'How nice... I wonder when will I have the time to tour like them?'
Maybe because of the gloomy and melancholic presence that she is giving off, which is contrast to the lively atmosphere around her. The takoyaki store owner started talking to her.
"Are you alright young lady? You look like you've been abandoned by the world. Your presence is like a lost kid"
She stared at the middle age guy who spoke to her. She didn't manage to reply immediately because that guy hit the sore spot. She then said to the old man
"Well, something like that. I don't even know where I am going now. So I'm not alright"
"Do you want an advice from me? I may not know a lot but I have experience so many things already. So maybe I'll be able to help you a little"
She glanced at the man for a bit, then looked at the busy people around me. Then she asked
"Since you said I'm like a kid who got lost, So, my question is, what will you do if you want to go home but you don't know where you're home is? Or if you even have a home?"
Ilaya continue to watch the people who have a destination and home that they will go back to. Living their life to the fullest despite the harshness of life. They have an anchor that can stabilize them, unlike her who's like drifting in the middle of an ocean with nowhere to go and didn't know what to do.
The old man seems taken aback, then chuckled and said to me
"Hehe, So it seems like my metaphor is apt then? The first thing you need to do then is to have a goal or a destination, you can't go anywhere if you don't have somewhere you want to go. Just like the ocean, you are drifting in the current because you let it to. If you desire to be somewhere, you'll need to take action. Pick up your oar, then pick a direction. Then paddle with all your might"
The old man drinks a mouthful of beer and speaks again
"The important thing is you desire to be somewhere, that's why you pick your direction and paddled your oar. The moment you choose your direction, you have set your goal. The moment you pick your oar, you have readied your feet. And the moment you paddles, you have taken your first in the countless steps that you'll be making"
She pondered about the old man said. And it makes sense. Since she thinks so many things that she became confused
All i just need to do is to set a goal then take the first step
Ilaya looked at him, then smirked and said
"Old man, you'll fit to be a philosopher, are you sure that you're the one who didn't lose your way and become a takoyaki store owner?"
The old man then burst into laughter