Paradise

         **All the characters and events in this story are completely fictional**

The bizarre set of events that started happening as soon as I landed in the magic island of Hawaii still sends my brain reeling into a perplexed contusion. I planned a trip to surf the beaches of Hawaii, on island of Oahu, for my birthday. The trip started with my friends riling me up to fetch that fairy tale romance I dream of. Don't tell them that I stuffed my luggage with 3 books, and I plan to do some intense reading.  

I was waiting by baggage carousel after my flight landed to collect my suitcase. I see this tall gentleman (or should I call him an adult boy since he is wearing a gray sweatshirt, blue jeans, and white sneakers), picking up a red 24" suitcase that weirdly resembled mine. His suitcase had a captain marvel sticker on it just like my suitcase. IT WAS MY SUITCASE! I ran around the perimeter of carousel as this gentleman tries to casually walk away with my luggage, I begin a chase after him with a heavy backpack on my shoulders, containing a laptop and my 3 books that I brought to read on vacation. After an intense 3 minutes of running, that landed me a stitch in my chest, I finally catch up to him. "Hey! That's my luggage", I panted, blocking his way to exit. "This is my suitcase madam." He looked confused. I start showing him all multiple stickers that my father had put on the suitcase to make it easily identifiable for me. This guy might be 6ft tall, with silky black hair falling on his forehead and dark brown eyes, but I was ready to throw punches.

 

He starts to look embarrassed; in the kerfuffle of convincing him that this suitcase belonged to yours truly, I had amassed quite a gathering of passersby fellow travelers who wanted to know what the fiasco was about. Crowd attracted airport authorities who came to enquire about the commotion, and I explained how there is a whole confusion over whose luggage has it been. Well, they weighed in, matched the barcode on my flight ticket to the one on the luggage and the matter was settled in my favor. I marched out of the airport, my head held high, pretty proud of myself for some reason. 

 

Ride from airport to my Airbnb was quite scenic, I hungrily watched those lush green mountainsides, while a warm drizzle grazed my face which was hanging out of the passenger seat window, like a dog on a car ride. In about 20 mins, I reached my accommodation, although I must admit Honolulu traffic had given me a minor migraine. As I enter the apartment, scents of plumeria and bleach welcomed me, the house was spotless clean to your author's standards. Fresh flowers, welcome snacks and a happy birthday message awaiting me in this gorgeous one-bedroom house with a Julien balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a huge kitchen furnished with every spice, a dining table set with vase and flowers, a 65" TV in the living room, a smaller one in bedroom, I was ready to begin my birthday week. I decide to rest up for a while as I brew some tea and sit by the balcony to admire the ocean while sipping from my cup. Sun was hot and high, and the heat felt stifling through glass doors. After a while, I decided to wash up and hit the famous Ala Moana mall. 

 

The mall was a mere 10 mins walk from my apartment. A hula dance performance was going on the center stage located on the ground floor of the mall. There were some benches to sit on right next to the stage. I squeeze my way in through a mass of elbows to the front of the stage. People were clapping along to the music beats. Benches were already occupied by people of my parents’ age. I was eyeing those seats wishing one of them would vacate it, when a voice whispered next to my ear," Have you seen a hula dance before?" I turned so fast that it probably cricked my neck. The mere discomfort of a someone’s voice in my ear sent chills down my spine. It was the same man who had tried to run away with my luggage. He was so tall that he had to bend considerably lower to whisper in my ear, which gave his frame a funny appearance as he was clapping along to the music. I couldn't help but laugh despite my discomfort. "No, I haven't, and women don't like strange men in this close proximity, it makes for creeps", I reprimanded him. He rolled his eyes, “Well I saw you eyeing those seats and thought to distract you before you fight your way onto one of them". The sheer audacity of this guy!

 

I walked away from the stage, my brain boiling with anger. "Hey! let me buy you a coffee and apologize for what happened at airport. I am not a bad guy, just a misunderstood one". He chased after me with those dark brown puppy eyes. "Well, I don't drink coffee. I am a tea person." I continued to walk away. "Well, you have to try Hawaiian coffee, it is very famous. I know a nice little place right here and allow me to change your mind." I was tired and the winds were getting chillier at this hour, having a warm cup of coffee to hold seemed lucrative. He took me inside Barnes and Noble to their cafe. I placed an order for caramel latte, and he ordered a cappuccino. “I love spending time in bookstores”, he said as we decided to walk around the bookstore, “I find it oddly comforting when I am surrounded by books”.  Fascinating that he would say something like this. I have used that phrase so many times over years. In fact, I need to sleep with a book next to my bed, I tell him. While our order was getting prepared, we took a lap around the bookstore, discussing all the books we have read and liked. So engrossed into our conversation we were that twenty minutes or so passed before we went to collect our order. "I never asked your name. I am N, btw", with that first sip of coffee, my soul and heart had started to warm up. "Hi, N. Nice to meet you, I am Chad". We sat there, next to a fireplace, exchanging introductory, talking about books, sharing anecdotes and theories for rest of the evening. As the sun set on the edge of Pacific, I bid farewell to my mystery charming nerdy suitcase thief and walk back home. 

 

Next morning, I decided to drive up to east shore to Lanikai beach, watch sunrise and spot some turtles. It was a long drive, but the waves are so calm, and beach was so blue against white sands. I spent the day taking in some sun, soaking in all that Vitamin D and watching swimmers in the blue ocean. This is what I miss in Northern California beaches. I walked along the length of the shore, white sand lodging itself in gaps between my toes. I climb some rocks for a more picturesque view. It happened while I was climbing down one of the rocks, I tripped and rolled my left ankle. My first thought was, "Aww! That sucks". I tried getting up, but my foot won't take my weight. 

 

Driving back to my hotel, I make a stop at an urgent care to get my foot checked up. Doctor diagnosed it as a severe sprain, gave me pain killers and told me stay off that foot. That put a dent into my extravagant vacation plans. But your author is known to be resilient and doesn't give up that easily. If I can't do many activities, I can still relax on the beaches. So, I plan for a sunset lie down on Waikiki beach. 

 

I spread my beach blanket and plop down, my eyes closed and warmed by the setting sunlight, ocean breeze eases the thumping in my ankle and provides a temporary sweet relief from the pain. "What a pleasant surprise to meet you again!" I turn to see Chad throwing down his blanket next to mine and sits down, "I was hoping to see you again, but this coincidence is quite extraordinaire", he winks. A smile escapes my lips. Waikiki is one of the most crowded areas in Oahu. Odds of running into someone you know without prior planning is low. Nevertheless, I was pleased at this fortunate event.  We sit side by side, observing people on the beach. A couple probably in their fifties walks down across the length of the beach stretch in front of me holding hands. Just a little ahead, two kids are trying to build a castle, while waves crash and take away the sand they pile up. Many people are swimming in the ocean at this point. My eyes meet Chad’s, I can feel some energy between us as we exchange a laugh. Passing over the built-up tension between us, I lie down and gaze at the sky. "That looks new and fancy." He pointed to my ankle which I had tied in my wrap-around yellow bikini top like a custom cast. I squint my eyes to look at his brown eyes catching sunlight as I narrate the tale of my epic fall and how I was quite proud of my improvisation to give my injured ankle a fashionable twist. Sky changed many hues, from yellow to orange to pink and turned grey and black. We sat there under sun, and stars, talked about oceans and whales, life, and its many idiosyncrasies, gazed at stars and attempted to identify constellations. We exchanged tales of Orion and other Greek myths behind constellations and their names. Time seemed to have doubled its speed and yet I did not care to look at my watch. How is it possible what I have been searching for so long, something beautiful and it comes true on a day that started as less than mediocre. Life has a wonderful way of catching you off guard and surprising you.

 

And then my stomach made a loud rumble and jerked us out of our deep stupor. 

 

He realized our time was going to get cut short, “Will you go out on a date with me tomorrow?" Pretty sure I blushed to roots of my hair at this point and would have utterly embarrassed myself if not for night, “Tomorrow is my birthday." 

 

"All the better. We will celebrate it together. I will pick you up for breakfast tomorrow." 

 

"How about we meet here at 12 for lunch?" This is the moment for me to practice my art of negotiation, humph!

 

We agree upon the time and place for our rendezvous on my birthday. 

 

Waking up early on my birthday, I am determined to make the most of the day, irrespective of any obstacles, vis-a-vis, my broken ankle. Putting on my birthday dress, getting wishes from my family and friends, having a dessert for breakfast, I have the biggest possible smile on my face. I have a cup of tea on balcony, while watching the Ocean, which has always been on my bucket list. I have the best morning possible. I make a quick trip to temple, I always visit a temple on my birthday to express my gratitude for another wonderful year of life. I head to Waikiki beach for my lunch date. Chad is already there, waiting for me, with a bouquet of roses in his hands. Somewhere in my stomach I felt a fluttering. Brushing it aside as hunger, I greet my date and we head to a beachside cafe. 

 

We order our food and move to sit on black table and chair on patio, waves are crashing right on our feet. We sit there, munching food, our conversation moves to all the places in the world we want to travel to and what we want to make of our lives. I excitedly talk about my adventures on solo trips, the sheer joy of knowing people around the world. Chad sits there listening intently, nodding at the right places, slowly moving his hand next to mine. He begins to gently caress my hand with his fingers before lightly holding it. It's a beautiful day.  

 

After a while, we come back to my apartment. Chad goes out into the balcony, I follow him. He takes my hand, puts his other hand on my waist and pulls me in. Mole under his lips looks so close. His doe like eyes are really gorgeous. My breathing is getting short and intense, and my face is burning red. He gives a shy smile, pulls out a flower from his pocket and laces it into my hair, "You are beautiful and vivacious. I enjoy you." I think my heart forgot to beat. I stood there, frozen for God knows how long. He moves in closer, I can see my reflection in his pupils. I can feel his warm breath. Out of the blue, I wring myself out of his arms and run into the dressing room, “Gosh! are my hair really that bad that a flower can stay in without a pin?". I hear him chuckling as he comes in behind me. Standing at the periphery of the room he looks at me through the reflection in mirror, “you are hilarious, I haven't had a dull moment with you so far." I am blushing deep to my roots. "Let's go out dancing tonight," he moves in and takes my hand. Showing him my wrapped ankle, "did you notice this, I can't dance tonight". He leans in and plants a kiss on my wrist, “you don't have to worry as long as I am here". I am frightened at this point. 

 

I took out my white summer dress for tonight and matched it with my white flats decked with little flowers. I kept the makeup subtle and finished the look with a cute hairpin. Chad picked me up in his rental BMW, outside my apartment building at the agreed time. I never told him I liked BMWs. The restaurant is playing jazz and fancy tables are all decked with flowers. Crowd here is mostly affluent and older than us. We move to our table overlooking ocean. Couples are already on the dance floor, swaying to the rhythm of notes. I like it. Chad walks onto the dance floor and starts to move his hips to music, slowly twirling on the spot, inviting me to join him. I ignore him and continue to sip my drink. A few moments later, he comes over, takes my hand, and leads me to the dance floor. "I don't know how you expect me to dance," I look around hesitantly. Smiling down on me, he wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me up gently to place my feet over his and begins to dance. I am embarrassed and flustered, smiling ear to ear. We stayed like this for a long time, dancing to the tunes, moving around on the same spot, the night melting away into that moment. A lot of elderly stopped by us to comment what a star-struck and beautiful couple we make.

 

It's after 2AM when we head back to my apartment. I am exhausted and instantly drop into my bed. Chad gets in after me, props himself against couple of pillows. We lie there staring at each other for long, just smiling.  Everything in the world feels hopeful and bright. I can hear the waves crashing somewhere in the distance, I invite the sweet embrace of heavy sleep, lying next to this beautiful man I only have dreamt of. 

 

Morning came in too fast. Sunlight crawled in through the curtains on my eyes. I open my eyes to find Chad still right next to me, he was still asleep. I want to lie there and look at him forever, sleeping so peacefully. Body functions propel me to get out of bed. I walk to bathroom mirror and find that Chad had wiped makeup off my face while I was asleep. I am grateful at the gesture. I whip up two cups of tea and wake up my dream guy. We spend our morning on the balcony watching birds fly off to wherever they are going, boats moving off from the deck, honking for their final calls, some surfers already in the water. We eat a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast, being in mood for a lazy morning. Chad leaves around afternoon; I promise to meet him at our same rendezvous spot later in the evening. Then I go back to sleep. 

 

This is my last night in Hawaii. I am flying back to California next morning. But dinner is full of giggles, accidental touching, and lots of holding hands, and a shared meal. We sit there for a long time, trying to ooze in every possible minute of each other's company as much as we can. At the very last, it is time to go back. Chad grabs my arm, "Hey! I don't know if you will call me after today or not, but I still wanted to give you my number." He puts it down on a napkin from our table. His phone battery is already dead and mine is at 1%, and I needed to save that juice for cab. At last, we kiss each other goodbye. My heart full of many emotions, I walk towards cab. Thump! A random stranger bumps into me. My purse and its belongings are scattered across sidewalk. We both get down and hastily try to gather my stuff, with his many apologies, back into my purse when I realize something missing. In the confusion of things, my piece of paper with Chad's number had flown away into wind, neither could I spot Chad anymore. I looked around, left and right, walked a bit up and down the street, I couldn't find him anywhere. 

 

Next morning, I board my flight for California that leaves at 7AM. The plane takes off the runway and I look out the window for one last look at the island, trying to wrap my mind around all the events I experienced and what could have been. If only I had made plans to meet up with Chad later. Somewhere out there is my perfect guy, my dream love story waiting to begin, and I wish I can reach out to him.