Could be the changing of the seasons, but I don't love you anymore.
First off, I love Malaysia. I'm glad I saved it for last, because now it does feel like a vacation. People aren't trying to rip me off everywhere, food is amazing, the buses are fantastic, and most of the people are rally friendly. Not the fake friendly either, legitimately friendly.
Though, I did have an experience yesterday that taught me something about myself.
I'm currently in the Cameron Highlands, and supposedly the local bus was broken for part of the day yesterday. Rather than take a taxi, I decided to walk the 5km because I like walking, and that isn't very far.
I'm walking along, taking pictures and just enjoying the scenery when I hear someone behind me. I think nothing of it, and just ignore the guy as he walks by. That is, until I notice he is walking much slower than before and keeps looking back at me.
At that point, I figured he was either trying to steal something or was concerned I was walking alone, since you don't really see people alone here. He pauses, so I walk past him. Behind me, I hear him muttering to himself.
The normal reaction at that point was probably fear, but I wasn't afraid. I was just getting angry.
I turn to go up a hill to a strawberry farm, and to see if he follows or continues on. He continued on, but I decided to walk further up the hill for a while to get a good distance from him. I could see him constantly turning to look back, but he was gone when I came back down the hill.
I keep walking back on the main road for a while, and farther down there he is, sitting by a tree.
I'm pissed at that point. I just want to walk in peace, so I ignore him and keep walking. He immediately gets up and follows. I turn around, and look right at him.
"What do you want?" I ask. He kind of stares for a minute, and mumbles to himself again.
"I really like you." He finally says, followed by "Do you have a husband?"
Not what I was expecting.
"Yes." I lie. It's easier.
"Does it bother you I really like you?"
"Uhh, I guess not." What do you even say to that?
He just kept repeating it as we walked, and I eventually just told him that's too bad, and that no, I don't want drinks. I ducked into a store to buy a strawberry tart, and he disappeared.
Walking to the strawberry farm I actually wanted to go to, I saw him at the bus stop. He watched me as I walked by, but that time he didn't follow.
I hadn't realized how self sufficient I had become until that moment. There was no fear at all, I trusted myself completely. I didn't think he would actually do anything to hurt me, but I was ready if he tried. I always wanted to think I could take care of myself, and in that moment, I knew I could.