Hearts desire

Chapter 4

I am in awe, this place is breathtakingly beautiful. The Cottage I booked is better than the pictures. It's this very secluded place between the trees with a swim pool that looks like it overflows on the edges into the reserve, the bedroom is very cozy with lace hanging from all sides and scented candles all over. The bathroom is secluded with a bath on one side and then this brick wall and the shower on the other but it is all open and there are these open doors that lead you to a private balcony to the outside...

I've seen pictures but this is absolutely perfect, and the best of it all is that I only have 1 bar of reception, that in itself is just fantastic.

The people here are so nice but they have such respect for your privacy. Tanzania is far but worth every penny. I booked in at this Private lodge in the Serengeti Reserve in Tanzania. It is the best impulsive decision I've made so far, well at least I tell myself that. I got this whole list of activities and things to do here. I also have the option of self-catering and need to only confirm with reception when I want to dine in the restaurant by the river.

Right now I think I need to shower, then book myself a seat in the restaurant. I need to also hire transport to the nearest town for shopping, don't know how far that is but lets see. I might just spend the day there to explore a bit, seeing that I have the time to do so.

Dressed in a cream top and white jean skirt and my lacy pumps I think I'm good for dinner, my hair is loose with curls running down, light makeup.

Stepping outside the cottage into the fresh warm air I try to see where I need to go, there is a path here so I will take a stroll down to the restaurant.

"Mam are you insane, you are walking in a reserve and a part where there are dangerous animals around, you are not allowed to walk here there are services for guests to be picked up and dropped off, did Reception not inform you of this."  the guy shouts over his car with dust flying everywhere. He is not bad looking but still.

" Hi to you too Sir, yes I was informed but I thought it was just for the trips to town, I really thought this is a nice stroll to have before dinner, the fresh air and the beauty of it all"  I replied looking around and demonstrating with my hands to the open plains and nature in general.

I watch how he gets out the car and walking towards me stopping next to me also now watching over it all

"Where you from" he ask

"Amber" I reply 

"Excuse me what?" he asked. Turning his head to me and watching me.

I take a moment to just watch him, then looking back to the open view

"Amber, that's my name and nice to meet you too by the way strange man, secondly why would i tell you where I'm from if I don't even know you, but I will just tell you that it's far from here and thank you for coming to my rescue, you know with all the wild animals and me probably going to lose my life before i hit the restaurant, not that I think I will be a very nice meal though.  But I think you are lucky working in this place with such beauty everyday, don't you think?"

Having a slight smile I turn to look at him

His eyes never left me because he is still staring at me

"Well Amber, you're lucky I came to save you, and please I think you would have been a loss to humanity if the animals got hold of you, but not to worry if the magnificent hero of the day came to your rescue." he says with a bow. 

We both started laughing at his gestures

"We need to get going and it's getting dark, don't want you to miss dinner also" he says with a wink arm stretched out to the car for me to get on.

Holding his hand out for me to take in order for me to get into the car "Mam please make your way onto our royal vehicle" he says with a British accent 

I just laugh and follow. I don't think he really knows what British people sound like but it is very entertaining and he has humor I'll give him that.

"Why thank you kind Sir. To the palace"

We both laugh and he gets me on my way

The scenery is spectacular, there is a river running as far as the eye can see, there are wild animals far in the distance and everything just hits me.

" Yeah you can say I'm lucky, but i guess sometimes we need people to remind us of what we have, I get so use to working here that it is second nature to me and i don't think anything of it after a while, then people like you come around to make me see the beauty again and realize how blessed I am, so thank you for reminding me again, it is a very beautiful place" he tells me still looking to the road.

"Sure no problem" I reply, holding on to dear life.

I sit quietly thinking about what I might get for dinner. These people here are friendly they are not the kind where I'm from here it seems they still have heart and a good sense of life, such a soothing relieve like I can be myself here with not being this in control of all your feelings kind of way.  It feels like I can truly relax here. Your senses are awake here.

We came to a stop and the ranger, I think that's what he is here, came around to my side, opened the door and held his hand out for me to get out.

"Mam if you would please watch your step, don't want you to fall and dirty your pretty little outfit" he says with a smile. I don't take this to heart seeing that I have the sense this one is all about his humor and jokes.

"Why thank you, we wouldn't want that now do we, and if it does get dirty ill just mail you the bill" i smile.

We walk towards the restaurant through the trees and the plant here and there are magnificent animal  sculptures that give this place its authenticity. As we reach the dining area I can relate why people get lost here. All the tables are carefully placed in an oval layout with a unique bonfire in the middle of the dinning area where the roof is opened up and you can see the stars.  Soft candle light and music. 

“Well Amber, this is Patrick, our Restaurant manager, he will take good care of you.” This guy tells me and I still don't know his name. 

He leans into my ear and whispers “Don't worry I told them to look after you seeing that you are one of my fav, and if you have the time come join us tomorrow on the game drive you can just put your name down at reception, I mean if you're not scared.”

“Do I look scared, and thank you for the ride here I do appreciate it, we will see about the game drive I will be in town tomorrow

I turn to Patrick and introduce myself and ask if I may sit by the window near the water, as Patrick starts to guide me towards that section, my attention is called upon.

“O and Amber, Taylor is the name mam, Do miss me” Taylor winks at me and walks off

I smile and keep following Patrick towards the window seat

“Thank you, Patrick, I would like to have a white wine please, while you are getting that i quickly want to just get to reception to book a vehicle for tonight and tomorrow” I say to Patrick

“Sure mam, I am also able to do that for you if you would like for me to do so, do you know where to go?” Patrick ask

“Yes I do know and it is no need I will do it quickly” I reply

Patrick leaves to get my whine and I make my way to reception.  The lady Belinda is very quick to assist me in booking a vehicle. She explained to me where I needed to wait for the car after dinner to be taken to my cottage again and asked about what time, then we pulled to the small lady coming through the back office door.

“Really couldn't he just make proper arrangements like normal people, but NO, always just out of the blue now i have to double crunch to get this all sorted for tomorrow” she exclaims with irritability written all over her. She looks up and sees us standing there, with a smile she apologizes to me.

I give her a soft smile. “Don't worry, I know what that feels like it's crazy in the states, but it's our job to stay poised and calm at all times and have a smile.”

She agrees and says “ Thank heaven someone understands me, I'm not that difficult to understand but you know these people, oh the get on my last nerve of irritability, but, mam you have yourself one amazing evening.” she runs off in a panic

“Can it be that bad, what will possibly be so important to make her react like that” I ask Belinda

“We have a conservation program and Zane the Investor will be arriving soon I guess it's normally only him that only make arrangements this way a day before not like the others that does it a week in advance, so now she need to get his Cottage ready, I feel for her but she does well and to be honest I think she likes it” Belinda informs me

“I see, well let's get back to our arrangements, I think Patrick is waiting on me” I say and we laugh together

After all the arrangements I get back to my seat in the dining area with Patrick waiting on me patiently, I quickly go through the menu give him my order and star gazing to the river and animals and my thoughts get to me in that peaceful moment

My thoughts drift to Taylor, he is very handsome and full of humor. I just hope he doesn't get any ideas, I'm going back to my country. I don't need more drama.  I like all the people here, they are so good but I guess everyone everywhere all have work stress no matter how peaceful the setting might look like.  I see the animals and I see the moon starting to rise. I think the stars are beautiful here. I can't help thinking that it would be wonderful to have someone with me to share this with.

After finishing dinner I make my way to the car outside to take me to my cottage, and to my surprise it's Taylor.

“Really, don't you disappear or have a man cave or something” I joke with Taylor

“No Amber, I knew you needed to get back to your place so I volunteered to do it” Taylor winked at me opening the car door holding hand out for me to get in.

“Well well aren't you the noble one, but thank you I'm very tired and just want to go to heaven, well sleep I mean” I reply getting into the car

We drive in silence and when we get to the cottage I get out of the car.

“Thank you Taylor, have a wonderful evening and I'm probably not wrong in saying that I will be seeing you tomorrow again.” I ask

You can bet your little self on that I will most definitely see you again, but you are tired so enjoy your bath and heaven” he winks “Good night Amber don't wander off outside”

“Thank you for the safety tip, you too Tailor enjoy your evening” I reply with a smile

Can't help but think Taylor will be around a lot more than what are expected, for whatever reason does he want to go above and beyond for me or is this custom to the reserve for staff to do so, well whatever the reason I like it here.  I get ready and doze off into heaven.