ANNA

Chapter 2 – Vacation

In the evening, when Anna's parents returned home, they looked unusually excited. Her father sat down at the dining table with a huge grin on his face.

'' What's going on? '' Anna asked, sitting across from him.

'' We have a surprise for you! '' her father announced.

Her mother smiled.

'' We're going on a vacation, Anna. A one-week journey through Nuwara Eliya, Buttala, Kataragama, ending with a refreshing sea bath at Polhena beach before heading back to Colombo. We are going with our family friend!''

Anna's eyes widened. A vacation? That was rare.

''Really? Who's coming with us?'' She asked eagerly.

'' Your uncle Stefan, aunty Enaya and their two kids.''

Anna froze. Asher? When the names popped up, Anna remembered all the memories she had with them in her childhood.

Anna looked up and asked her parents, ''How old are Asher and Teena now?''

'' Asher is 21 now, Teena just turned 14. '' Anna's mother replied.

''Oh''

Anna muttered and went to her room with excitement.

'' Don't forget to pack everything you need'' Anna's dad shouted.

One afternoon, while playing in the backyard, Anna decided to climb a tree, determined to reach the highest branch. Asher and Teena stood below, watching as she proudly made her way up.

But just as she turned to call out to them, her foot slipped, and she tumbled down, landing hard on the grass.

Before she could even process what happened, Asher was by her side, his usual serious face filled with something close to concern. Without a word, he pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against the small scrape on her arm.

"You should be more careful," he muttered, not looking at her.

Anna blinked at him, surprised. "You had this ready?"

He shrugged. "Teena falls a lot."

Anna couldn’t help but smile, even though the pain. He always acted cold, but moments like this told her everything she needed to know—he cared, even if he never said it.

Memories flowed like a river into her mind.

Anna’s mind was a whirlwind of emotions. This wasn’t just any vacation—it was the first time in eight years she would see Asher Dowmon and his sister Teena again.

The thought alone made her heart race in a way she couldn’t quite explain.

She had met them back in America when they were kids, playing together in the golden afternoons of childhood. Asher had always been different from other boys—distant, almost cold on the surface, yet she had glimpsed the kindness hidden deep within him. A quiet protector, never one to show his feelings easily. And now, after all these years, he was coming from London for vacation, and Anna couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was about to happen. Excitement and nervousness tangled inside her as memories of a little boy with sharp eyes and a guarded heart filled her mind. Would he still be the same? Would he remember the moments they had shared?

Anna’s excitement only grew as she stepped into the bustling shopping mall with her mom, the scent of fresh fabric and new clothes filling the air. She ran her fingers over the soft textures, her eyes lighting up when she spotted the perfect frock—a stylish yet comfortable piece with white, light blue, and dark brown lines, just right for her trip. Holding it against her, she twirled playfully, already imagining herself wearing it on a breezy evening. She didn’t stop there; her shopping bags filled up with more outfits, cozy sweaters for the chilly nights, and a delicate hair accessory that sparkled under the store lights.

Every little find made her even more excited about the adventure ahead, knowing she’d be stepping into each moment dressed in confidence and style.

After a long shopping day, she sat on her bed and quickly dialed Jihu's number, her excitement barely contained.

“Hey, Jihu! I just wanted to let you know that I won’t be able to meet you during the vacation,” she said, a slight hesitation in her voice.

“My family and I are going on a trip together, and things are getting a bit packed.”

Jihu’s voice brightened instantly. “Oh, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you. It’s so nice that your family gets to be together like this.” She paused for a second before adding, “But wait… you’ve been talking about Asher a lot lately, haven’t you?”

Anna froze for a moment, her cheeks warming. She hadn’t realized she’d been bringing him up so often. “I… I guess I have,” she admitted. “It’s just that, after all these years, I’m finally going to see him again. I can’t help but feel a little… excited, you know?”

Jihu chuckled softly, her voice full of warmth.

“I can hear it in your voice, Anna. You’ve been smiling so much lately whenever you talk about him. I’m really happy for you. I can’t wait to see you so happy when you finally meet him again.”

Anna’s heart fluttered at her friend’s words, a soft smile spreading across her face. “Thanks, Jihu. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but it feels different this time.”

Jihu could feel the happiness radiating through Anna’s words, and that was all that mattered. “Whatever happens, I’m sure it’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back!”

At the dinner table, Anna’s dad looked up from his phone, his voice calm but with a hint of excitement. “Uncle Stefan will be in Nuwara Eliya this Friday morning, so we need to leave early. We’ve planned to stay at your mom’s office guest house, and once we get there, we can meet Asher and his family. Then, our trip will begin.”

Anna’s heart skipped a beat. Uncle Stefan? Asher? She couldn’t believe it was all coming so quickly. She tried to keep her excitement under control but couldn’t stop the smile that crept onto her face. “That sounds amazing,” she said, trying to sound casual.

“I’ll pack my things then.”

Her dad nodded. “Get ready, we’ll be leaving early. It’ll be nice to spend time with the family and start our trip properly.”

Anna’s excitement bubbled over as she packed her suitcase, her room turning into a beautiful mess of outfits, travel essentials, and last-minute additions she couldn’t leave behind. She double-checked her itinerary, grinning at the thought of exploring new places, tasting unfamiliar foods, and capturing every moment in her journal. The scent of sunscreen and fresh linen filled the air as she carefully folded her favorite summer dresses, imagining herself twirling under a golden sunset. Every little detail, from her playlist to her camera, had to be perfect—this trip was more than just a getaway, it was a long-awaited escape, a chance to breathe, dream, and live fully in the moment. And as she set aside her red Adidas jacket for the cooler weather in Nuwara Eliya, she knew this adventure was about to be one of her best yet.

It's tomorrow, the day Anna waited for. Anna couldn’t help but daydream about what the next day would hold, already imagining the beautiful hills of Nuwara Eliya and, of course, the chance to finally see Asher again.

...........................................................

The next morning, Anna woke up early, her excitement bubbling up inside her as she quickly packed her things. She threw on a simple denim outfit with a comfy T-shirt and grabbed her red jacket, knowing it would be freezing cold when they reached Nuwara Eliya. She couldn’t stop smiling, the thought of seeing Asher again making her heart race.

After loading their luggage into the van, the family set off from Colombo. The drive to Nuwara Eliya was slow and peaceful, with beautiful hills, lush green trees, and breathtaking views surrounding them. Anna couldn’t resist pulling out her phone to capture the stunning scenery. Every twist and turn of the road offered something new and beautiful, and she sent picture after picture to Jihu, adding little comments like “Wish you were here!” and “It’s so beautiful, Jihu, I can't wait to tell you all about it!”

The landscape seemed to mirror her excitement— everything felt fresh and alive. The closer they got to Nuwara Eliya, the more she could feel the cold air creeping in, but it only made her more eager to arrive. As she sat back, her mind wandered to what it would be like to see Asher again, after all these years.

At 11 am, they arrived at the guest house, and they saw a car in front of the guest house—it was Uncle Stefan's Uber car. Uncle Stefan was getting his luggage from the Uber.

"Oh, we are here at the right time," Anna’s dad said.

Uncle Stefan came over quickly and gave Anna’s dad a big hug.

As Anna stepped out of the car, she scanned the familiar surroundings of the guest house.

The air smelled of fresh grass and the faint scent of jasmine from nearby flowers. Her dad led the way as they made their way to the door, and just as they stepped onto the porch, a figure emerged from the doorway.

It was Asher.

Anna's heart skipped a beat. His eyes immediately found hers, and she could see the recognition in them. He had always been a part of her life—friend, confidant, and something more than just that.

He smiled, that half-smile that made her feel both calm and excited at the same time.

As Asher stepped closer, Anna couldn’t help but notice the way the sunlight highlighted his features.

His dark brown eyes, deep and intense, seemed to look straight into her soul. The curly black hair framed his fair face perfectly, a slight messiness that only added to his charm. His handsome beard, well-groomed yet rugged, added a layer of maturity to his youthful appearance. The veins in his strong hands seemed to tell stories of strength, and his muscles were evident beneath his shirt—broad shoulders and toned arms that hinted at the hard work he put into his fitness.

Asher was tall, standing at 6.1 feet, and his presence was undeniable. His six-pack abs, visible even under his shirt, made Anna’s heart race. And his mouth—the curve of his lips, so perfectly shaped, made her want to smile every time he spoke. He was the kind of person who made everything else fade away. His looks, his strength, the way he carried himself, all blended into a perfect image of someone she could see herself with forever.

"Hey," Asher greeted, his voice low and warm.

"Hey," Anna replied, her voice barely above a whisper. She hadn't seen him in a while, and something about this moment felt charged, like it was more than just a casual greeting.

Her dad exchanged pleasantries with Uncle Stefan, who was still unloading his bags from the Uber, but Anna couldn’t shake off the feeling of Asher standing there. He was dressed casually, but there was something different about him now. He looked taller, more mature, and there was a quiet confidence in the way he stood.

As their eyes locked, a soft breeze blew through, and it felt like the world around them paused for just a second. Anna felt a flutter in her chest.

"So," Asher began, stepping closer.

"Looks like we're going to have a good time here, huh?"

Anna nodded; her smile soft but sincere.

"Yeah, definitely."