by Judy Angelo
“I want to show you something,” he said over his shoulder. “A waterfall with a pool at the bottom. We can take a dip.”
“Sounds…lovely,” she said, all the while thinking, 'maybe we should go back now'.
They’d walked ten more minutes up the path when Asia heard the first rumble of thunder. She stopped and looked up but it was like being in a tropical rainforest. The foliage was so thick overhead they could only see patches of the sky. And it was gray. Not the light gray it had been when they turned onto the path but a deep and ominous gray.
“Uh, oh,” Rico said looking up, too. “Looks like rain.”
Asia could have slapped him. Wasn’t that what she’d been saying all this time?
“Let’s go back,” she said, already turning around.
And then a streak of lightning ripped across the sky. Asia jumped, almost knocking Rico over for the second time that day.
“It’s okay,” he said. “No need to be scared.” He put out a hand to steady her.
“I’m not scared,” she muttered and clung to his hand.
The two of them started running back the way they’d come but they knew it was hopeless. With all the walking they’d done it would take them over half an hour to get back to the boat.
Then it started to rain. Huge drops fell from the sky, the kind you saw only on a tropical island. It came swift and sudden, the only thing saving them being the thick canopy of leaves overhead.
By the time they broke out of the trees and reached the beach the rain was coming down in torrents. Thunder rolled and lightning streaked over the water. For Rico and Asia there was no more need to hide from the rain. They were both soaked straight through. That was the least of their problems. With the lightning flashing they were both in danger of getting struck.
“Shouldn’t we stay under the trees?” Asia yelled as they raced across the sand.
“No,” Rico yelled back. “Lightning and trees. No good.”
In addition to the rain the wind was whipping into them, making it all the more difficult to be heard.
“Best bet,” he yelled, “reach the boat.”
The boat? Asia wasn’t too sure about that. The sea, tranquil as glass just hours before, was a rolling, roaring mass that reflected the gray of the sky. It was scary to look at, with its waves rising high and crashing into the shore. How could the weather have changed so fast?
No time to think now. She ran with all her might, struggling to keep up with Rico, but each time she fell behind he stopped to wait then grabbed her hand then off they went again.
They were almost at the stream but it, like the rest of nature, had turned into a monster. Water rushed from the interior and down toward the sea, making the river three times its original size.
“Carajo!” Rico swore as they stood staring at the swirling water. Then he moved. Clutching her hand he ran upstream along the grassy bank. “There’s a narrow section up here,” he yelled. “I’ve seen it before. If it hasn’t widened we can cross there.”
Rico was right. Higher upstream the water flow was much narrower than below. Still, it must have widened there, too, because it certainly was not of a width where you could easily step across.
“We’ll have to jump,” Rico yelled.
Asia’s eyes widened. Easy for him to say. His legs were twice the length of hers.
He must have seen her hesitation. “It’s our only chance of getting back to the boat.” He squeezed her hand. “Come on, Asia. We can do it.”
As the rain pelted them she stared up into his face and he looked so determined that she felt she had to try.
She nodded. “Okay, let's do it.”
Quickly, they devised a plan. They walked several yards away from the stream to give themselves enough of a running start. Then Rico looked down at her. “I won’t let you go, Asia. Just trust me.”
She sucked in her breath then nodded.
“Ready?” he yelled.
“Ready.”
And they took off running at full speed, Rico still holding her hand in a tight grip. They raced toward the stream and without stopping they leaped across, the momentum of the run carrying them to the other side. The power in Rico’s hand pulled Asia farther than she could ever have gone on her own. They landed - deep in mud - on the other side.
“We did it,” she screeched.
But if was as if Rico didn’t hear her. He pulled her up and out of the mud then took off running again, dragging her behind.
Within minutes they were close enough to see the boat bobbing and rolling in the savage wind and crashing waves, banging into the sturdy plank of the dock.
Only then did Rico release her hand. “The rope is too loose,” he yelled. “I’ve got to secure the boat.”
“But why?” Asia looked at the angry ocean then at Rico. “It’s dangerous.”
“If I don’t, we won’t have a boat. We need it to get back.”
Before she could say another word in protest he turned and ran toward the dock, leaving her standing in the rain.
Stupid, stupid man. She didn’t care about any damned boat. She was afraid for him. What if he got hurt? God, why did men have to be such daredevils?
She ran after him but he was already at the end of the dock, struggling with the rope he’d used to secure the boat. Maybe she could help.
She raced down the dock toward him. He’d never be able to pull the boat in all by himself. “I’m coming,” she yelled. She was almost upon him when, to her horror, she saw the boat lurch and, as if in slow motion, Rico pitched forward and over the edge.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Rico!” Asia screamed. Jesus Christ, Rico was gone.
She ran the remaining yards to the edge and dropped to her knees. God, please don’t let him be dead.
Then she saw him. Rico was in the water, still clinging to the rope he was trying to secure, and he was alive.
But he was in danger. The boat could swing back and smash against the dock, crushing Rico in the process.
“Rico,” she shrieked, “let go and take my hand. You have to get out.”
Rico looked up at her and she could see the strain on his face. Of course he knew the danger he was in. He was struggling to get out. But it was no easy task to climb onto the dock when the swirling water was doing its best to suck him down and under.
Asia was bending over, reaching her hand down to him when he yelled, “Move away. You’ll fall over.”
She backed away a little but not far. She had to help him.
And then she saw it. A rope hanging off the other end of the dock. Dear God, please let it be long enough. She dashed over and grabbed it then dragged it up, the entire length of it, and ran back to the other side. To her relief it was just long enough to hand down to where Rico could reach it.
“Pull yourself up with this,” she shouted. “Quick.” She was watching the boat and it was bobbing dangerously close to Rico’s head.
He looked up, hair plastered down on his head and almost covering his eyes. When he saw the lifeline he grabbed it and tugged, then in one swift move he let go of the boat mooring and grabbed this new line with both hands. He pulled up, his muscles straining as he fought the sucking water. Then he was climbing up and out of the water until finally he collapsed onto the deck.
“Rico.” Asia reached for him. “Thank God.”
Now he was moving again, pushing himself up with his arms. “Asia,” he said, still panting from his efforts, “we have to get off the dock. Not safe.”
She nodded and bent down to help him to his feet then she threw his arm over her shoulder and supported him as they hurried back to the shore.
She looked around. Where could they go? There was nowhere to shelter, nowhere to hide.
“The lightning,” Rico said, his voice still breathless. “Stay away from the tall trees. Try to find…low bushes where we can shelter.”
She did as he said and led him to a copse of thick bushes that were not too close to the trees. Th
ere they sheltered from the whipping wind and stinging rain, clinging to each other for what little warmth they could find.
Asia didn’t know how long the storm lasted. It could have been one hour, it could have been four. She’d lost all sense of time. But when the winds finally died down and the rain ceased she was exhausted.
She looked down at Rico and his head was still resting on her chest, his eyes closed, his arms wrapped around her. She frowned. He couldn’t be asleep, could he? In all this?
“Rico,” she whispered. “It’s gone.”
“Hmm,” he groaned.
“The storm, it’s gone,” she said more firmly. “We have to go check on the boat.”
“Oh,” he said, then stifled a yawn.
“Were you sleeping?” she asked. “You were, weren’t you? Typical man. Guys can sleep through anything.”
She pushed him off her chest, denying him any further use of her body as a headrest.
He put up his hands and rubbed his eyes, looking for all the world like a child waking from slumber. Then as she stood he blinked up at her like an owl.
“Come on, Rico,” she said, annoyed at his slouchy behavior. “We have to go check on the boat. You’re acting all cozy and comfortable like you’re in your bedroom. We’re on a deserted island, remember?”
Rico blinked again, then he squinted up at her.
That made her even angrier. The man hadn’t moved an inch. “You know what, I’ll go check on the boat myself.” She turned and marched away. She wasn’t going to wait on a man who didn’t seem to understand the seriousness of their situation.
“Asia?”
She heard Rico call her name but she kept on walking. “Asia, please. I need you. I…can’t see.”
What the hell? That stopped her in her tracks. Had something happened to Rico in the water? Had he suddenly gone blind?
She turned and ran back to where she’d left him by the bushes. She dropped to her knees and stared into his face. “Rico? Are you alright?”
He blinked then squinted, the effort making his brows furrow. Then he smiled. “I can see you now. I’m okay.”
That floored her. Didn’t he just say he couldn’t see? “What kind of game are you playing?” she demanded. “First you can’t see then you can see. Which is it?”
He raised his eyebrows and gave a boyish pout. “Both, I’m afraid. I’m severely myopic. Can’t see a thing past my nose.”
“But you don’t even wear glasses.”
“Yes, I do. But only at home.” He shrugged. “I wear contact lenses the rest of the time.”
Now Asia understood. “You lost your contacts in the water.”
Rico nodded then he dropped his eyes and dug his fingers into the sand. He crushed the sand in his hand and did not look up again.
Asia dropped to the ground and sat beside him. Just before he dropped his eyes she’d seen a look flash across his face, a look that told her he felt helpless and he hated it. He was probably so used to being in control he had no idea how to handle being dependent on someone else.
She stared out at the ocean, bluish gray but surprisingly calm, then she said, “Have you ever thought of laser correction?”
He shook his head. “I don’t want anyone shooting lasers into my eyes. What if they make me go blind?”
“Rico, I can’t believe you think that way. This is the twenty-first century. Hundreds of people have that surgery done every day.”
“Surgery,” he repeated. “Not on my eyes. Never.”
She shook her head in exasperation. “You are so old school. Everybody is doing it.”
“Let them. I won't.” His tone was obstinate.
Asia sighed but she didn’t say another word on the subject. She could tell that no amount of arguing would make him change his mind. She wouldn’t even waste her time.
She got up and tried to brush the sand from her bottom. Not an easy task when the sand was stuck to damp clothing. “Well, you stay here while I go check on the boat.”
“I’m coming with you,” he said, and pushed up from the ground to stand beside her.
“But you can’t see a thing,” she objected.
“And that’s why I’m not letting you leave me here. Anywhere you go, I go. And besides, I’ve got to stay close to you,” he said. “Make sure you don’t do anything stupid.”
“Look who’s talking,” she scoffed. “The man who traveled miles out to sea with one pair of contact lenses and no spare.”
That shut him up fast. Asia saw his lips tighten and the expression on his face told her he was pissed. She didn’t care. He was used to reprimanding his workers. Let him get a taste of his own medicine for a change.
Before she could move Rico set off by himself, his head down, eyes squinting at the ground right in front of his toes. He moved steadily but slowly, obviously unable to see much farther ahead. She could guess what he was going through. Everything ahead must be one blurry mass. He probably couldn’t even see the boat in the distance. But she’d wounded his pride and that pride would not make him stop and wait for her help.
Well, let him go. If he wanted to march off blindly and fall into a hole then that was his problem.
The thought had hardly registered in her mind when she saw Rico stumble. Her heart lurched but he righted himself and kept on going.
Enough was enough. She ran to him and grabbed his arm. He shook her off.
“Will you stop?” She grabbed his arm again. “You’re acting like a child. Now hold my hand.”
It was a good thing Rico couldn’t see his own face. His mouth was set in a mutinous pout that made her want to smile, but she kept her face serious. Asia slipped her hand in his and began to walk beside him. She guided him around a patch of sharp rocks and onto the smoother sections and so they walked until they were finally back at the dock.
“Is the boat alright?” Rico asked as he stared ahead.
She was sure he could see the boat or at least the big white form of it but he probably couldn’t see any finer details. She let go of his hand. “I’ll go check.”
“Wait. I don’t want you going in. It might be dangerous.” He squinted hard then shook his head in obvious frustration. “Just stay on the dock and look. You have to be careful.”
She walked to the end and peered at the boat as it now bobbed gently in the water that looked peaceful and innocent as if it hadn’t been battering that same boat against the planks just hours before.
“So far, so good,” she said. “I haven’t seen any damage.”
He nodded, obviously pleased with the news.
“I’m going on board, okay. I want to see if the engine still works.”
He frowned at that. “What did I tell you, Asia?’
“But Rico, how will we know that the boat is really alright? We can’t just stand here all day watching it.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Let’s just be sensible about this. I’m going on board.”
As she watched his face it went from adamant to frustrated to resigned. “Alright,” he said grudgingly, “but be careful.”
She didn’t wait for him to change his mind. Carefully holding on to the edge she climbed into the boat, her sandaled feet sloshing in the water that had gathered at the bottom. She only hoped the boat hadn’t sprung a leak. She checked around for damages or holes but could find none. All that water in the boat had probably sloshed over the side in the storm.
Now to check the engine. She looked up at Rico. “Do you have the key?”
He dug into his pocket and stretched out his hand to her.
She inserted the key and when she turned the engine it kicked in immediately. “Yes,” she cheered and grinned up at him. “Problem solved.”
She could see the relief wash over his face. But then his face clouded over and he shook his head. “Not quite. I can’t see, remember?”
“I can. All you have to do is give me the instructions and I’ll get us home.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think s
o. It’s better if we stay put. My people will know where I am. They’ll come.”
Then a thought came to her. “Hey, where’s your cell phone?”
He patted the pockets of his jeans. “Gone. Lost in the water. It wouldn’t have worked from here, anyway. No cell towers. Try the boat radio.”
She tried it, turning knobs, shouting into it, listening. She shook her head. “Nothing but static.”
“It must be the storm. Come on out, then. Let's just go back up the beach and wait.”
“Hey, don’t we even vote on it? Why do you automatically assume we do things your way?”
“Because I’m the man and I’m responsible for your safety.”
“What? That’s so chauvinistic.”
“That may be,” he said, “but we’re safer on land rather than floating around in the ocean with a navigator who can’t even read the instruments.”
Asia admitted defeat then. She certainly did not want to be lost out in the middle of the big blue sea. “Well, monsieur,” she said with a wry grin, “I guess you're stuck with my company for a few more hours.” He was smiling at her so she guessed he didn’t mind.
She hopped out of the boat and back on to the deck then took Rico’s hand. Together they walked back to shore where Rico plopped down on a sandy bank while Asia went off, but not too far away, to see if she could find where their blanket and picnic basket had gone.
Within a couple of hours of their setting up camp - lying on the damp blanket that Asia found and eating the rest of the food that, happily, had survived the storm - they heard the roar of a motorboat in the distance. As Rico had predicted, his personal staff had arranged a search party as soon as the storm lifted.
As they boarded the rescue boat Asia looked back on the island, so peaceful and then so passionate, and in her heart was a twinge of sadness. It was here that she’d found a new connection with Rico.
She’d shown him another side of her and she’d seen him at his most vulnerable. And then they’d lain down after the storm, side by side on the blanket, just talking about their families, their lives, and a whole lot more. Now it was time to go.
But would things change, would the balance be lost, when they got back to their own world?