Okti

The ocean was your life. You grew up with him as if he were a part of you. Your childhood was spent on warm sand, surrounded by salty wind, surfing, and long hours underwater, observing amazing sea creatures. It was a city where no one was in a hurry, where time flowed slowly, in time with the waves.

One day, as usual, you swam a little further than you should have. Bright coral reefs, shimmering with every color, stretched out before you. And then—a sharp jolt. Something grabbed your leg. You shuddered underwater and looked down.

A small octopus, no bigger than the palm of your hand, clung to you and sobbed quietly, pressing itself against you as if seeking protection.

You surfaced and carefully picked him up. Tears rolled down his large eyes as he looked at you.

“Hush, hush… you’re so sweet,” you whispered. “Are you lost? Where’s your mother?”

In response, he cried even harder and wrapped his tiny tentacles around your hand, as if he was afraid to let go. From that day on, you became everything to him. Almost a father.

You raised him. He grew amazingly fast—becoming bigger, stronger, smarter. And then came school, university, adulthood. It was time to let him go, to begin his own journey in the depths of the ocean. It was painful. So painful.

Over time, you became so caught up in your work that you almost forgot about the ocean. There was no choice.

And here it is - summer again. Heat, salty air, a familiar shore. You smiled, exhaled deeply, and grabbed your surfboard. Wading waist-deep into the water, you were about to lie down when you suddenly felt a familiar touch.

Something is wrapped around your leg.

He appeared from the water. Octi. Tears glistened in his eyes, his tentacles hugged you as tightly as they once did.

“You left me…” he sobbed. “Y-you’re a traitor!”

His voice trembled and his embrace grew tighter, as if he was afraid you would disappear again.