Lost in Paradise

Chapter 10

It's been almost two weeks since Nadia got lost in Ivana. Little by little, she is getting used to the area, she’s already familiar with the roads. She also met new people as she sometimes joins Nay Nita when the old lady roams around the town.

Nadia is currently on her way home after visiting Nay Liliana's Eatery where she had her dinner. She seldom cooks and only knows limited dishes so she oftentimes eats outside.

The road is a bit dark as there are only a few lights poles. While walking slowly, Nadia heard a bell sound. She stopped when she noticed the familiarity of the sound, wondering where and when she heard it. All of a sudden, Nikko’s bike came to mind her. Right, that was the sound of the bicycle of the man who caused her accident the first time she arrived in Ivana. The man who took her to the hospital and brought her car to a repair shop.

She quickly turned around sighting for the bike. In a distance, she saw a man on his bike seriously looking up into the sky. She looked at the man closely and realized that he was the stranger who, according to Ivan, was Nikko.

She was about to approach him when she stopped as she promptly felt anxious. She wasn't sure if the man still remembers her, she was worried that if she did approach him immediately, he might think that she’s weird. She just stared at the man for a moment and noticed that he was still looking up into the sky. She became curious so she decided to look at what he’s looking at. Amazement stunned her the moment she saw the clear sky full of glittering stars. This was her first time seeing such a splendid night sky. The sky in the city where she came from was often cloudy so it's rare to see stars that’s why Nadia was so impressed with what she just witnessed. She was so focused gazing up at the sky when she surprisingly heard a voice....

"Impressive isn’t it?" said Nikko who was now close to Nadia.

The woman forgot to monitor Nikko because she was hypnotized by the starry sky.

"Absolutely" Nadia responded hypnotically while gazing up at the sky.

But she knocked it off as she realized what was going on. She immediately turned her gaze and saw Nikko in her front.

"Huh? No... I mean... yes" Nadia said nervously.

"W-wait... when did you–" she added.

"Hold on! You look familiar ... mmmh" Nikko replied as he saw Nadia's face up close.

"M-me?" she mouthed

"Aaah right!... You are that woman from Welcome"

Welcome is the exact place where Nadia and Nikko first met. This is the entrance to the town.

"How are you? Is your injury all right?" he added.

"Aaah... eeh.. yes I'm fine" Nadia replied

"I'm really sorry about what happened"

"No... that's fine... nothing serious happened"

"Thank god" he sighed.

"I must be the one to say sorry... I blamed you for everything that night—"

"Sshhh. I understand. No worries" he interrupted.

“Anyway, you’re living here in Ivana? That night was my first time seeing you so I thought you were a lost tourist”

Nadia didn't answer right away. She didn't know what to say to the man. She can't tell him the real reason why she came to Ivana, she didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

"Ummm... yeah! I'm... I’m Nay Nita's relative" Nadia defended so the man wouldn't ask any more questions.

"Aah... you are Nay Nita’s relative. I’m sorry for the wrong assumption" he apologized.

“So, I was right when I left your car to Ivan” the man added.

"Aaah... yeah! my car ..."

Nadia suddenly recalled that it was Nikko who brought her car to Ivan’s, she also recalled that he settled her hospital bill.

"Right, I heard you shouldered the repair and also my hospital bill that day" Nadia added.

"Umm... that was–"

"That's unnecessary... I should pay you back" she interrupted.

"No! I just did what was necessary... don't be bothered" Nikko countered.

"Sorry, but I can’t accept that .. and don't try to stop me cause I insist" Nadia reinforced.

"Ok.. ok.. I lost" Nikko replied as he noticed the woman's determination.

Nadia was about to check her purse when Nikko suddenly stopped her.

"Oops no... not that way" Nikko snapped

"What do you mean? I have cash he—"

"Y-you can pay me in other ways... not with cash" Nikko interrupted.

"I don't get it" Nadia wondered

"Why not buy me a drink next time... or.. or you can buy me a meal.. or anything.." Nikko said hesitantly.

"O-okay?" Nadia still wondering.

Nikko promptly looked at his watch and noticed that they were talking too long already.

"Anyway, I must go now... someone is waiting" said Nikko

"Ooh... of course.. you go ahead"

"How about you? You are not leaving"

"I'm... I'm actually waiting for someone" Nadia lied because she knew he’ll offer a ride.

"You sure? You can hop in on my bike if you want?" Nikko asked.

“I knew it" Nadia whispered in her mind.

"Thank you... but I'm fine. The person I’m waiting for will arrive soon" Nadia reassured.

"Okay. So... see you around?"

"Y-yeah.. See you around"

Nikko got on the bike and left. Nadia sighed as the man completely disappeared. She didn't know why, but she seemed feeling anxious while talking with him and she was like.. holding her breath all the time. The guy is a stranger but he made her feel doubtless while talking with him. It was like she's talking with a stranger she used to know for a long time. 

Nadia first reassured that Nikko had totally left before she started walking back to her home.