The Captain's First Dilemma

"Even if the sky won't let you see the stars and it's beauty, know that there are something else or something better that will let you see the stars," the captain said. "But that is if you try to find them and if you're in love."

"Love?" the young man said. "What does it have to do with love?"

"Without love, we are nothing," the captain said phrasing from a book he learned from a far away time. "I can't be the captain if I have no love. I can only be just some silly sea dog if that's the case. I wouldn't want that."

"So you mean to say, captain, you're in love?" the young man asked. "Don't tell me you love me, captain?"

"Yes," the captain said. "I love you everyone of you in my ship. We're a big family here, right?"

"Not in a lover kind of way?" the young man asked.

The captain suddenly got annoyed and hit the young man on the hit. The captain immediately locked his head on his arm.

"I see all of you as my children," the captain said. "In case you're wondering, I'm in love with the most beautiful woman in the world. So if you're interested in me, I'm sorry to say that."

"I'm just kidding, captain," the young man laughed as he tapped on the captain's shoulder. He surrendered. The captain let go.

"Tell me, captain," the young man said. "Will I be able to see her again?"

The young man's tone suddenly changed.

"It will be you're decision," the captain said. "But if you can't wait any longer, would you like if we head there sooner?"

The young man's eyes widened.

"Are you sure?" the young man said. "Can we go there? When? Next week? Next month? So soon?"

"Sooner," the captain said as he smiled. "If you want, right now?"

The captain flicked his finger and soon after the two are no longer on the ship but on land. The young man looked around, felt dazzled of what just happened and was surprised. They were back on their first island.

"We're back?" the young man said.

"You wanted to come back, right?" the captain said. "You wanted to be with her, right? She's here."

The captain pointed out a house. It was her house. The house of his first love.

"She's waiting for your return ever since," the captain said. "Let's go and meet her."

The two walked to the door and knocked.

"After this, I'm relieving you of your position as first mate," the captain said. "The sea is not your home, my good friend. I am certain of it. But do promise me, you'll be happier from now on."

"You aren't giving me a choice, captain?" the young man asked.

"Is there reason to?" the captain said. "Deep down, I know you've been longing. You've changed since the time we first met. I'd say it'd be wrong to call you a young man any longer. Though you looked like it. But here I am, an old dog of the sea. Old and wrinkly."

"We don't look that too different, captain," said the young man.

"I guess so," the captain said.

The door opened and suddenly came out a woman. It was the young man's lover. She waited for him and now her longing was awarded. He hugged her tight.

"I'm no longer going to leave your side, ever," the young man said.

The couple went ahead inside while the captain suddenly stopped. The young man noticed only that they've left the captain outside upon making himself comfortable in his lover's house.

"Won't you come in, captain?"

The captain smiled.

"This is my last order to you, my good friend," the captain turned his back. "Forget about me."

The captain then flicked his finger and he started disappearing. That was his goodbye to his first mate.

-/_ -

But before he could have done, a girl rushed out of nowhere and joined the captain.

Upon returning to the ship, the captain realized a little girl have just joined him in his travel.

"Who are you?" the captain asked.

"Please let me stay with you," the girl said.