Seaside

(AI generated image using Prompt Hunt)

**

‘Here we go again,’ I sighed at the sight of the crowd. My social battery went from a hundred percent to an instant half.
My colleagues and the other staff of our company, in their carnival costumes, walked glamorously across the function room of the hotel we rented for the night. The smile on their faces showed how jovial they were then.

And I?

I just sat in my designated seat watching them, trying my best not to get dizzy because of the release of various energy levels of the surrounding people.

The event was about to start at seven, but my mind had already set sail to my fictional world.

I stared blankly at the side of the stage where the performers for the singing contest were getting ready. Until I saw a glimmer behind the stage. It was like a group of fireflies dancing, forming a circle.

I focused on the center of the circle, and a picture of the seaside came into view. With its smooth, flowing waves that looked inviting, my eyes twinkled. I had been dreaming about living by the seaside because of how calm that place could be.
I allowed my eyes to enjoy the imaginary view that I was seeing during that time.

The icy breeze of the atmosphere—not because of the air conditioning unit in the room kissed my skin. The salinity of the air touched my lips, making me thirsty for a glass of potable water. The rustling leaves of palm trees overpowered the boisterous sound of the amplifier and the chit-chatting crowd.

It felt like I was literally on a hammock, swinging. I closed my eyes to totally immerse myself in the scenario, disregarding the real world I was in.

I was absorbed by the fictional image my mind had created for me to escape the energy-draining event when the spotlight disturbed my vision, which went blurry and disappeared. I was pulled back to reality.

When I opened my eyes, everyone was staring at me. I got confused.

“What’s wrong?” I asked the girl beside me. I had no idea what her name was because she was from a distinct branch.

“They’re calling you.”

“Why?”

“You just won the first prize in the raffle! You won fifteen thousand pesos!” she exclaimed.

I couldn’t believe what I heard. I didn’t move until they called my name again to confirm my winning. Spacing out literally made me feel left behind, but I was able to reclaim my posture while I was walking up the stage.