You are my Wild Rose

Beautiful Stranger

They say fate brings people together. It binds two lives of strange individuals by bringing them up on one other like a car accident on a Monday morning.

Unexpected and out of nowhere.

It sneaks up on you when you are busy looking for it elsewhere or worse, not even looking for it. Like mannequin figures on a chessboard, it brings you two at the same time, same place and in front of each other.

Whether it’s destined, a game of fate or a coincidence.

As I opened my eyes, those were the first thoughts that entered my mind.

Water all around me and the illusion of flying pumping adrenaline rush from head to toe. It reached its peak with a certain danger of losing my life.

A porcelain white figure is now flying towards me.

Like in those greek paintings of angels. Heavenly creatures.

His long limbs, gracefully cutting the blue medium around to make his way towards me. In speed.

With a sharp edge to his blue eyes and jaw but equally soft lips, he must be a dangerous siren calling out from the sea.

As he comes closer to my stagnant figure, takes me in his arms and pulls me closer to him.

Closer than his next breath.

When those deep blue eyes, like an ocean, are calling to me.

Gazing upon me with their lull, as if inviting me, calling me and asking me where I have been all along.

The glowing blue water around us makes him shine.

With inky black silk strands dancing on his head. And full pink lips pressed together with the force.

But it’s those deep eyes that invite me in and make me want to melt in his arms. And never come out of their embrace. Out of their world.

So back to my question, is it fated? Because how can a girl like me,  have her heart in her throat right now? Like she has inside a neural system of a maniac on drugs, going all haywire.

I shouldn’t be feeling like this.

A girl who rarely felt any major fervour while growing up. Also has a hard time being open to anyone for a relationship, friendship.

She is feeling a rush of addictive hormones pumping through her veins.

Right now, for the first time.

A complete stranger embraces me, taking me upwards with our bodies pressed together. Every inch touching. He is in black shorts matching my similar black piece.

As I break the surface of the water and the rush of air passes my nostrils and mouth, I break into a cough. The burning in my throat and lungs for lack of oxygen is finally supplied.

I gulp down the precious air from my mouth filling my lungs. As he rubs my back in small circles.

We all do some things in our life to feel alive, to feel grateful for the blood pumping in our veins.

Mine is holding my breath underwater and letting go of control. Until my brain screams for me to get out of there.

Surprisingly, as I turn around and take in my saviour now out of the water, he doesn’t say anything.

Not a word.

I would have expected him to shout or get angry at me.

But he’s just gazing at me. Like a chukar bird gazes at the moon and longs for it. As you look at a painting and are stuck with the beauty of it.

And realise your helplessness. In front of it.

He’s watching me as I am the only thing alive on this earth. It is confusing nerve-wracking and yet exciting. More than the water.

There’s a Chill in the air and the water is cold.

I asked for it from the management because that’s how I like it in these sessions.

Silent and cold like my mind.

Yet I’m feeling feverish.

There’s a Sheen of ice droplets on my exposed skin, above the water level.

My cheeks are blooming hot and my throat is parched.

We are both now floating around each other in a slow circle, taking the moment in. Prolonging this sacredness in the air.

Scared that one word and this dream would shatter.

We both are standing too close and surrounded by sparkling blue water under the full moon. One side illuminated by the moon and the other cast in shadow.

He is a whole foot taller than me. Ink black wet curls swept back with a sweep of his long and clean fingers. But it's the skin - fair and blemish-free that is making me feel hot and conscious of my own body.

All exposed to my eyes.

So how did a girl like me who is away from home on a trip, add the fact that she just got dumped six days before.

Now, in this vast pool under the full moon with a beautiful boy is feeling something she has never felt before.

Without saying a word to each other

That's what I am asking my brain, in front of this stranger.

But how can I not?

I must have been in a daze because I imagined him saying my name softly under his breath.

I’m going crazy with hormones, I’m sure. But I just had my period. How can I be experiencing this rush of confusing emotions?

But why are his eyes so red? Is it a lack of sleep or an allergy to chlorine in the water?

"It’s not water." A deep voice came.

Shit, I said that out loud. I’m such a fool. Better go with the flow now.

"There is nothing wrong with me. I was just holding my breath into the water." I tried to explain my almost dying attempt. As it would have looked from his eyes. The reason he must have jumped in the water.

"You were still. For more than a minute." He calmly responds with no-bullshit-tone.

"Thanks anyway, that was kind of you." I’m gonna die here from embarrassment, not the water. Now we are the only two here in this pool and no excuse to get out of here. Without coming off as a stupid girl testing her limits under no supervision.

"Is this how you thank someone who just saved your life?" He crosses his arms, bringing my attention to his strong, lean arms. Visible green veins running under his flesh.

"How do you want me to show my gratitude?" I ask away without giving it much thought.

I should have. I should have given it much thought. I think that’s where it all started.

If not fate, then what made me meet this beautiful stranger on the evening of my eighteenth birthday?

Is it a start to something that will change my life or it has already started out of my control?

"Take me on a date."