Self

Chapter 97

Yara tried to picture it, but her imagination was not exactly HD quality. Still, the instructor’s pep talk did the trick, and her nerves chilled out a bit.

Later, when the sun cranked up the heat, it was time for the real deal.

Diving suits came in all styles–two–piece, one–piece, and it was all about what vibed with the one wearing it. Rainie wore a two–piece, while Yara kept it classy with a sleek one–piece.

Despite everything, when they stepped out of the locker room, they were met with a flurry of impressed looks, and someone even let out an appreciative whistle.

Before they dipped into the water, the coach had them get a feel fr ‘he temperature. “Once you’re in, just relax. I’ll lead you to the dive zone.

“Our rescue team is on standby. If anything goes wrong, signal, and they’ll be there in a flash.”

“Got it.”

Yara’s gaze was fixed ahead, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Okay, girls, welcome to the sea. Have a blast!”

Yara could not help but smile, her lips curving slightly.

When it was time to dive in with the tank strapped to her back, she could not shake off a flutter of nerves.

Rainie gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, thumbing toward herself as if to say, “With me here, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Yara took a deep breath, watched Rainie leap into the water with fearless grace, and then she plunged in after her.

As she sank, the light above turned hazy, and she felt the weight of the water pressing against her.

Rainie was a quick drop into the deep, the currents almost hiding her away from Yara’s sight.

Just then, the coach signaled–they were 50 meters down,

Yara exhaled slowly and started to take it all in, the underwater world enveloping her.

Fish darted around, zipping past on either side.

A jellyfish, clear as glass, floated before her, pulsing open and shut like a tiny umbrella, flicking open and snapping closed.

She stirred the water with her hand, and the jellyfish bunched up tight,

shrinking to the size of a fist before vanishing from sight.

Yara chuckled, the last of her jitters melting away as she took in the sights.

something

Rainie was having the time of her life. Glancing back, she caught Yara pausing. to watch the fish, eyes alight with wonder, reaching out to gras, elusive, only to giggle as the fish slipped through her fingers.

She quirked an eyebrow, caught a glimpse of something, and swam over to join her. Taking her hand, they veered off in a new direction.

It was not long before Yara’s eyes were treated to a sight–a vibrant, rainbow- colored coral cluster emerging from the hazy depths, like a small mountain painted in shades of deep blue.

The reef–built coral was a kaleidoscope of colors, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The nameless tropical fish darted about as if they were in their own slice of paradise.

The scene was so stunningly beautiful that it felt like they had stepped into another dimension. Yara finally understood the true beauty of the underwater world her coach had raved about.

She swam with the fish through a circular gap in the coral, following a starfish, when out of nowhere, a massive shadow loomed from the murky sea floor, eclipsing the light from above.

Yara looked up to find a shark hovering right over her.

She gasped.

The dive site was suppose

coach had promised, with utmost confidence, that they were in a safe spot, free from any large predators.

Panicked, she spun around, but Rainie and the coach were nowhere to be seen.

The shark was about to spot her, and if she did not make a move, she would be its lunch!

With that terrifying thought, Yara turned and swam for her life.

The fish sensed her fear and scattered in a frenzied escape. Clenching her teeth, she glanced behind and saw the shark gaining on her.

She scanned her surroundings; corals were everywhere, but there was a dark hole nearby that could offer refuge.