Chapter 18

My jaw almost drop when we reached his so call room....it was like a private villa.....then he invited us in. The entrance takes us to the ground floor with breath taking view of the ocean.

Wantilan Villas as it is written on the signage, designed to provide versatility and privacy. 

The ground floor has two Ocean Suite while the second floor, is a deluxe Ocean Suite. The hotel converted all three suites into a Villa during Imran’s stay here.  The suite comes with an open-air bathroom, separate toilet, shower, and double vanity. A private pool is located in front of the two suites on the ground floor.

The Deluxe Ocean Suite situated on the second floor has an airy bedroom, kitchenette, terrace with daybed and private dining area with majestic ocean views.  

I whispered to Khai, “This is not a room…this is like a royal chamber in paradise…..I think it’s a waste of money  paying something this expensive for a weekend stay….”. Khai agreed.

“Banyaknya duit dia?”, Khai asked. “What does he do for a living again?”

“Erkk, he said he’s an architect or something….”, I replied. Khai looked at me in disbelief. “What do you mean….something? You don’t even know what he does?”

“Well…., we haven’t gotten there. Maybe we learn more about each other while in Bali…..”, I said.

"Kalau kau tak nak tanya, nanti aku tanya.....biar aku interview dia.....", Khai  semacam tidak berpuas hati dengan sikap sambil lewa aku. "Nanti dia jual kau kat drug dealer baru padan muka kau. Bapak kau dah kaya raya....mintak ransom money....isyh perempuan nih....!", bebel Khai.

Dari kejauhan kedengaran Juan memuji villa Imran. "Imran, you've a nice place here", sambil Juan bergambar 'selfie' di terrace tingkat atas dengan Imran. "Can we go for a swim in the pool? Can the temperature be adjusted?", Juan menarik lengan Imran menuju tingkat bawah.

"Q, apa kau biarkan Juan mengedik dengan Imran?", Khai memarahi aku.

"Kau ni Khai bukan main garangnya....We are here to have a good time. Let her be.....I know Imran, he is running away from perempuan like Juan....", I replied. "Imran is a gentleman bukan lelaki seperti yang kau sangkakan."

"Sudahlah Q......, kerja Imran pun kau tak tahu.........", dan Khai meninggalkan aku sendirian.

Kata-kata Khai masih bermain-main dibenak fikiran aku. 

The dreamy sea was its own master. It was forging its own sea song. Soothing. The gushing waves was comforting. I stood there by chance......just simply....

Credit to You Tube and Biscoito Fino

"Hey dreamy girl.....what are you thinking?", Imran came from behind and crossed his arms around me. He kissed my shoulder. "Now I can have you all to myself....I missed you so much...". he whispered softly and rocking me at the same time.

"I found the Mecca of coves. Look....at this view....I am lost with words.....", I said. Suddenly a current of cold electricity passed through the air. We shivered. The wind whipped up. The sea simmered.

"Do you want to sit inside? It's getting chilly out here...", Imran suggested.

"In a bit. I just wanna stand here and watch the ocean. I love the ocean but I am terrified of open the sea. I am not a good swimmer......", I responded.

Imran diam......"Look at that how the strong waves pounded into the cliffs of the sheltered cove. The sound they make.... Magnificent kan?", I added.

"You are absolutely right. Did you know in Khrabi, Thailand, there's two island clearly separated at high tide. Then sand bar slowly appears during low tide. People can walk across from one island to the other....", Imran replied. Penuh aksi tangan.....

"Facinating...got to be there to feel the real thing. Are all the sea the same?", I asked. I pressed my body against his and looking for the exact comfort spot.

"In my opinion. yes. The sea are all the same and there is continuity though sea levels may differ...", he replied dan mengemaskan pelukannya.

"Hmmmm........", I nodded. "You love the ocean very much kan?", I asked Imran


"Yes, very much. The ocean makes me happy and relax. This is my home when I'm in Bali.", he said.

"Yeah, the scenery and the sound makes my imagination run wild a bit....", I giggled.

He came close to my ears and said, "Q........, the feeling to have you curled up in my arms can never be put in words. I can however tell you it is where you belong. And it is in these arm I feel I'm home.",  Imran expressed his feelings.

Aku senyap......goose bumps all over me......I felt weak.

"Lately all I do is think about you, Q. Every aspect of my life now reminds me of you." He then turn me around facing him. He had both his hands cupped my face.

"You make me feel whole, complete, like nothing else in this world matters as long as I have you. Honestly when I wake up and go to sleep and you are the first and last thing on my mind.", and he kissed my forehead.

"It’s like when someone asks me how I feel about you and I am able to explain every detail regardless how long it takes. It’s when I can’t think about being without you because it scares me. I found you, a friend and a significant other all in one.", he kissed the tip of my nose.

I place each of my hand on his arm. "Imran.....you surprised me with your words....", I was flattered actually. I scanned his face, from his eye brows, his eyes, his sharp nose and those lips.

"Sometimes I am scared. Sometimes I am confused. I feel like we're moving too fast. We barely know each other. Please don't get me wrong. I like you, Imran. I look forward being with you. It's just........", I paused. 

Imran ducked his face down to catch a glimpse of my facial expression. He lift my face and asked...., "It's just.....what? What is it? You can tell me,.....".  

I turned to my right because I felt embarrassed staring at his face.....Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to my hip. It settled there and pulled me closer.  

I inhaled sharply and I replied, "After meeting you, I have never had this blood rushing to my head whenever you hold my hands. I never felt before my heart beat so fast when I hear your voice. I have never sat down and smile to myself when I think of you......Is this what it's like being ......in love?"

Imran smiled. "Q, yes, the feeling is mutual.", he confirmed my doubts. His breathing quickened as was mine. He began nuzzling my neck with delicate kisses. So faint, they were whispers. I tried to push him away, but couldn’t. My limp body began to tremble uncontrollably. 

Then his head was angled slightly to the side as his lips came closer and closer to mine. I was surprised to find my lips parted. Our breaths mingled. My heart fluttered inside. Then his arms encircled me. He planted several delicate butterfly of a kiss on my lips.

"So, you have never been in love like this before....? Kalau dah tersenyum sendirian, dah kes berat ni.....we have to put you in a mental institution then.......", and we both laughed.

"Okay......let's make full use of this weekend here to get to know each other. I have to warn you I am not perfect. Like any man, I snore when I sleep. I look like a zombie when I wake up in the morning.....I don't go to the office like other men. I work in my Bermuda shorts....", he proclaimed.

"Alright, alright, alright.....I get what you mean.......". we laughed. 

I did not anticipated what happened next. He lean forward as he brushed his lips against mine. Not innocently, like a tease but hot, fiery, passionate and demanding. I want to pull away before I lose myself but I didn't.....…In this minty moment, my senses have been seduced and I can no longer think straight.

“Quxandria” , he whispers slowly, prolonging each letter as if to savor them. I smile, my heart fluttering at his voice as I clasp my hands on either side of his face. Never before has my name ever felt so wonderful.…

In my heart.....Imran I am falling in love with you.....I know for sure.