Lost in Paradise

Chapter 2

Indeed, the darkness had taken over the sky. Riding his bicycle, Nikko looked up to see the stars as what he often does. Ivana has the most magnificent night sky amongst the places he’s been. The stars are brightly shining and the constellations are evenly scattered. It is a perfect place for stargazing. Nikko loves looking at the night sky, he would count the brightest stars and would name the constellations he recognizes. It somehow relieves his stress and comforts him whenever he feels lonely.

He’s gazing at the sky while driving his bike. He has nothing to worry since he is a biker and he is familiar with the road, he grew up passing here. He’s been busy staring at the stars while driving so it’s late when he noticed a woman standing in the distance also busy waving her phone up looking for some signal. He immediately tried to avoid her however it was too late, so the bike barely hit the woman. Startled by what happened, the woman lost a grip on her phone.

He quickly put the bicycle aside and approached the woman.

"Miss? ... Are you al—"

The woman disregarded him.

"Ow No! My phone !!" the woman shouted as she rapidly grabbed her phone.

"Look what you've done!... Are you blind?" she angrily uttered.

Nikko did not respond immediately because he knew he’s at fault.

"I'm sorry Miss. I didn’t notice you right away" he explained.

"Not noticed? All my car lights are open. How come you didn’t notice!” she rebuked

"I'm really sorry. If you want, there is a clinic nearby, I'll go with you to check if you have an injury.”

The woman just ignored his offer.

"I can't believe this. My car stopped working, hit by a bicycle, and now my phone was broken. My gosh!"

A new idea came to Nikko.

"Why? Do you have a problem with your car? Maybe I can help!" he suggested.

"You think you can fix this?” she said pointing at her car.

Nikko immediately got into the car and inspected the engine. Luckily, he has a bit of mechanical knowledge. He tried many ways to fix the car but due to lack of supplies, he failed to have the car start.

"What now?" Nadia protests after almost half an hour of waiting.

"I'm sorry Miss. I tried everything but I think you need to bring it to the repair shop!" he explained

"Seriously?” she said disappointedly.

“You know what, it's your fault! If you hadn't hit me, my phone would have been alright. I should have called someone, to pick up and repair this car!" she added.

Nikko didn't know what to say to ease the woman's anger. He wanted to take responsibility and help her but he doesn’t know how.

"That’s why I’m saying sorry. It was an accident" said Nikko as he was convincing himself to stay calm and not go along with the woman's anger. He knows he’s at fault, so he must forbear.

"What can I do with your sorry?"

"If your main concern is for your car to be fixed right away! I know a repair shop nearby that can help"

"You should have said that beforehand… what else are you waiting for?... you go now!” she ordered

Nikko immediately went to his bike and fixed it.

“You’re not coming?” he asked while sitting himself on the bike.

“N-no!... I’ll wait here… just make sure to come back with help!” she said with uncertainty.

Nikko knew that the woman was a newcomer to the town and unfamiliar with the place, he could feel her nervousness.

He’s ready to leave when he suddenly stopped and turned his gaze on her.

"Are you sure you’re staying here alone?" Nikko asked

Nadia circled the view around her as she realized it was already dark in the area and only the light of her car illuminated. From the stealthy side of the road is the loud banging of crickets and cicadas. Nadia got goosebumps. She realized that it’s not safe for her to be alone in a place she’s not familiar with. But on the other hand, the girl also wondered if it was all right for her to go with this stranger she had just seen. However, she had no choice but to go with him which is better than be left in a place she knew was unsafe.

"No, wait!... I-I'll go with you!" she declared.

As the woman stepped closer to Nikko, she suddenly felt a slight pain in her left leg. She did not even realize that she has been injured by the accident. Nikko immediately reached out to support her which she refused. She limpingly hopped into the bike.

While fixing herself on the bicycle, Nadia's discomfort was evident. She knew that the man felt the same way.

“Are you good?” he asked.

Nadia just nodded.

He has begun to run the bike, but Nadia was still uncomfortable sitting down, causing the bike to slow down. The woman’s leg hurts and she knows she needs to put her hand in the right position to support the balance, she knows that the only way is to hold the stranger in his waist but she’s ashamed to do so, he’s a stranger after all. Though she knew that he can’t go faster because of her.

Nikko who was feeling uncomfortable with the woman’s discomfort, grabbed her hand and placed it on his waist. He means nothing, he just wants the bike to run accordingly so he can drive faster without worrying that the woman might fall. In his awe, the girl didn’t protest. At last, the bike runs accordingly. The two are just silent as they make their way down the narrow road to the community of the town. Some light poles are standing on the side of the road enough for them to see the roadway. From not so far, Nadia could see the lights from the houses. She knew they were close to where they should go.

"Finally, awkwardness is about to end!" she whispered herself.