3.4 Stopping in Paradise

September 8, 2014 by jeremina5 1 Comment

The flight from Egypt to Crete was short.

To get to Sophia’s I had to take an additional boat ride to the island she lived on.

The water was beautiful, and the boat ride enjoyable.

I saw Sofia waiting for me at the marina as the boat docked.

Butterflies immediately invaded my stomach.

I quickly gathered my luggage and departed from the boat.

She greeted me with a kiss to each cheek.

“Did you have a good trip?”she asked.

Oh, how I’ve missed her.

“Yes. I did, thank you.” I replied.

“Come, let’s go back to my house so you can relax.”

We got in her car and took off.

It was a hard decision to either stare at Sofia, or the beauty of the Greek Island.

Her house was adorable, and everything that I envisioned a Greek villa to look like.

The sun was starting to set and she had a perfect view from her back yard.

“Are you hungry?” Sophia asked.

“Well, maybe just a little.”I said sheepishly.

“How about I make us some salads, then we can go play in the ocean…I trust you have a bathing suit?”

“That sounds wonderful, and yes, thankfully I brought my suit.” I smiled.

I asked her if there was anything I could do to help, and when she replied “No”, I relaxed in a chair outside and listened to the ocean.

We ate our salads outside.

The evening was perfect.

The salads were delicious.

The company was phenomenal.

I helped carry the plates to the kitchen.

We changed into our swim suits and walked out the back gate to the welcoming calm ocean.

“I’ve missed you” Sophia said.

 “Not as much as I’ve missed you.” I replied.

I spun her in my arms and looked into her eyes.

Then, I kissed her.

Thankfully, she kissed me back.

We kissed all the way back inside.

We kissed all the way to the bedroom.

And then we “kissed” for a while longer.

***

I woke to the sound of beautiful music.

I walked into the living room where Sophia was playing the piano.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” I asked.

She played the last note and turned to smile at me.

“I was going to ask you the same thing.” she said.

She stood up and greeting me with a kiss.

I could soooo get used to this.

“So, what do you want to do today?”she asked.

All I wanted to do was stay in her arms…but I couldn’t forget my other responsibility.

It was time to tell her my secret.

“Sophia, there is actually something I need to talk to you about….”

I proceeded to tell her everything, my ability to talk to ghosts, my job, my problems, and how everything was getting worse.

“Oh, Yanni. What a terrible burden. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Actually, there might be.” I retrieved my cell phone and showed her the pictures I captured from the ancient book. “Is this Greek?”

She studied the pictures.

“It is! Very ancient Greek, but I think I can translate it for you.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that!”

“It would be my pleasure. I’ll just transfer the images to my laptop and get to work. It shouldn’t take too long.”

“I am very grateful.” I said humbly.

“I’m sure I can think of a reasonable payment.” she said coyly and she kissed me.

***

I got dressed and went outside.

Finding a chessboard was perfect a perfect way to pass some time.

Then I took a little nap in a lounge chair.

I was awaken by soft kisses.

“I need a break.” Sophia said. “Do you want to go to the beach for a little while?”

She already had her swimsuit on.

“I would love to.” I said.

I quickly changed.

This water was magical.

We enjoyed the sun until we got hungry.

Then we walked up to the house and prepared dinner together.

After dinner, we enjoyed the sunset from the hot tub.

This was paradise.

***

The next day planned to tell Sophia how much I loved her.

I never heard my phone ring.

But when I listened to my voice mail, I felt the blood drain from my body.

“Yanni, this is your father. Please come home soon. Things are getting worse.”

I would have to leave the next morning.

***

My head was a whirlwind.

My love for Sophia and my duties in Sunset Valley were conflicting.

I had only one option.

***

We went to a local tavern for dinner.

I ate my dinner quietly as I sat across a very understanding Sophia.

I paid the bill and we walked over to the water.

“Sophia….”I started.

She looked at me.

“…I have something to ask you.”

I got down on my knee…

“I love you, more than words can express….will you please be my wife and come home with me to Sunset Valley?”

Tears formed in her eyes.

“Oh, Yanni. I love you too…but I can’t…”

“….please understand. I can’t leave Greece for good. It is my duty to stay here.”

I held back my tears.

I held back my rejection.

I only hope no one else heard my heart shatter into a million pieces.

“Ok, Sophia.” was all I could say.

“Please don’t hate me.” Sophia pleaded.

“I will never hate you.”

And I hugged her, quite possibly for the last time.

We drove back to the house in silence.

***

Morning came quickly .

I gathered my belongings and Sophia handed me a folder with the translated pages.

I thanked her again.

I wanted to kiss her, but I couldn’t.

I wanted to stay in Greece with her, but I couldn’t.

I held her hand and gently squeezed it.

The taxi’s horn beeped impatiently outside.

“Good Bye” I whispered and ran to catch my ride.

Tears ran down her face as I fought to keep mine in.

Once inside the taxi, Sophia and her house quickly became a blur.

I took out my phone with shaking hands and called my parents.

My father answered, sounding out of breath.

I told him I was one my way.

“Please get here soon….it’s your mother…the spirits have done something to her…”

***

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