In my rustic-style bedroom, which was located in the northwest sector of the house, I hunted around in my walk-in closet and retrieved a pair of panties, pajamas, and a bath towel. Then I rushed into the en-suite bathroom and got bottles of shampoo and conditioner, along with body gel and facial cleanser. Before I left, I thought I'd better floss and brush my teeth because it'd be a nuisance to do that over at the bathhouse.
Once my teeth were sparkling clean and my mouth refreshed with the minty flavored toothpaste, I headed back into my bedroom and gathered my bathing essentials in a small bag. Then I headed out the door and down the stairs.
Along the hallway on the ground floor, I searched for a light in a cupboard. When I found one, I excitedly headed toward the back. There, I said loudly so that Mom and Dad could hear from across the kitchen, "I'm going now."
Mom said, "Have a nice time bathing."
"Will do," I replied.
Dad said, "Don't stay there too long."
"Okay," I said and then exited the house.
Despite the outside lamp glowing a golden halo and brightening some areas of the garden, it was still pitch dark beyond that. Before I started out with my night adventure, I switched the light on, and viola, bright light flooded the area surrounding me. Feeling a little pluckier now that I had light, I marched up the small pathway toward the bathhouse that was located a little way back in the garden, amongst the thick trees and wild plants close to the mountain.
As I shined the light of the torch here and there, I noticed how dark and eerie the garden seemed at this time of the night. Now and again, gentle breezes brushed against the trees, swaying the branches and leaves this way and that as if they were dancing, casting dark shadows that seemed quite ominous.
I shivered, feeling a little unsettled suddenly as my confidence slowly dwindled. I had always been a city girl, so I wasn't used to this type of atmosphere, where it was so dark and quiet, more so when I was surrounded by so many tall trees.
Needless to say, I started to feel nervous and anxious. Should I turn back? Then again, I chided myself for being a scaredy-cat. I mean, I was still on the premises of the estate, and the bathhouse wasn't far off, so I shouldn't be afraid. Nothing bad was going to happen. After all, Dad had already turned on the hot spring, and just for me, too, considering I had been so excited about it.
Not wanting to let Dad's effort go to waste, I nodded at the logical reasons and continued with my mission.
When I sighted the bathhouse a few moments later, I grinned in excitement and my anxiety at being alone in the dark all but disappeared in the blink of an eye. I hastily rushed over and opened the newly installed wooden door. Then I stepped through the threshold of the holy, magical place.
The moment I was inside, I gasped in awe. It was truly beautiful. Right there before me was a good-size pool with hot water filled to the rim, steam elegantly rising and dancing about the room. There were even boulders around the edge, as well as in the middle of the pool, and of course, a mini waterfall, which gave that pleasant trickling sound effect that was so soothing to the ear. Dad had outdone himself this time, for sure. This looked and felt just like a hot spring in an onsen back in Japan.
Excited, I hastily locked the door with a click so no one would accidentally walk in while I enjoyed my hot spring bath. After switching off the flashlight, I then walked around to the left of the room. There, I put my things on the bench. After taking out my cleansing materials, I stripped off my T-shirt, jeans, undies, bra, and, yes, even my glasses. Completely and utterly naked, I headed over to the shower that was located on the right side of the room. There, I turned on the sprinkler, and the moment the warm water touched my skin, I grinned.
I took my time shampooing and conditioning my short hair and then washing my face and body. Once I was thoroughly cleaned and smelled like the Garden of Eden, I turned the shower off and excitedly got into the pool.
"Ahh..." I sighed in pleasure the moment the hot water touched my skin. I couldn't help but giggle in delight as I spread my arms and legs, enjoying the moment. I dipped my head and even swam around like a little mermaid. When I'd had enough of that, I leaned my back against the boulder residing in the middle of the pool and just relaxed, enjoying my time.
It was a little while later when I thought I saw—through my blurry vision—something sparkling in the bottom of the pool not too far from me.
Jewel? Metal object?
I didn't know but was curious to find out. The next moment, I found myself moving away from the boulder and heading toward it. Then I dipped head first under the water, my hands reaching toward the bottom of the pool.
As I came close, I noted that it was a necklace with a gemstone pendant.
Who would have dropped their necklace there? And such a beautiful one at that. It also looked antique and expensive. Could it be Dad's? Then again, I didn't think Dad would have something like that with him. He wasn't the materialistic type. Nor Mom. Or did it belong to one of those two men who had helped Dad renovate the bathhouse? I supposed it was best if I retrieved it and returned it to its owner, whoever that was.
I grabbed for it, and just as I caught the jewel in my hand, I felt the water around me pulling and crashing, like a huge wave in the ocean.
Shit! What's going on? Earthquake?
This was followed by an earsplitting hum. I couldn't help but grit my teeth under the water, and as I finally popped my head out, I felt dizzy.
I tried to catch my breath as the humming continued for a few more seconds, as well as the rocking of waves around me. Then, just like that, it stopped, and that was when I saw it.
I stared, my eyes wide in wonder, at the beautiful aurora lights before me, the pretty colors glowing and dancing so magically that it took my breath away.
"What? What just happened?" I said softly under my breath.
With the necklace still in my hand, I walked, as if in a trance, toward the aurora.