Madil stared hard at the waters. That night had been hellish to say the least. He had to complete the amount of work that was required. Others are content to procrastinate in the absence of the master, but he was not one of them. He was always loyal with his work and he considered it his utmost duty. He was tired when he got home. His three kids had been wailing and he had lost his temper. He had hit the eldest, Sho-akham. His wife got paranoid and they had ended up fighting.
He was a really calm person but that night things just escalated. Plus, his wife didn't seem to understand that he was tired and all he wanted was some rest. The result, he ordered his three children to sleep out as a punishment. He intended to show them the result of disobeying him. He thought that they would cry for some time and then he would let in. But as soon as the little hut was restored in peace, his head touched the pillows and he forgot everything.
He woke up to find his wife crying that her children were nowhere. They went out searching. They asked the other villagers. Indeed, no one had seen them. At this time, Madil was filled with fear for his kids. He was also over-brimming with guilt. His wife had gone hysterical and she blamed him and the Devil for taking away her child.
And then he saw the two white women come towards them. He did not particularly like them and was always suspicious of these people who came as visitors. They often made fun of the villagers and looked at them condescendingly. The two girls weren't like that, yet. But he could not trust them.
Then he heard Paali shouting at saying something that the girls have found something.
By then, it was obvious, that his kids were in the water in that boat and one of the foreign girls were going to save them.
Now that girl was battling for her life. All because of his kids.
He watched the lifeless body of the tall girl on the sand. The other girl with what he considered the most beautiful golden hair was bending towards the body breathing air into the girl. The girl looked panicked and almost to the point of breakdown.
His wife was holding their three sons tight against her. He could see they were shivering. It hurt him that when he came forward to hug them, they backed away.
Paali was waving the lomilla herb in front of the girl's face. Everyone had gathered around to see what had happened.
The boys had found his children finally. They were clutching the toppled boat. When they did, they brought the children to the shore. However, that golden-haired girl started crying and screaming. Paali tried to comfort her but she was all ready to go inside that water and for a moment Madil thought that he would do anything to stop another death. But he breathed out prayers to all the Gods that he knew when the boys brought the limp body of the brown-haired girl out too.
Suddenly, there was a cough. Madil and the others eagerly leant forward.
Katie felt salt tingling her lungs and when she tried to breathe she felt water seep into her nose.
"Katie!"
Before even Katie knew what was happening, she was enveloped in a tight embrace. She was filled with the urge to push away as her body strained from the sudden added weight. But when her olfactory nerves sensed the familiar scent of Jessie, all her discomfort was forgotten. She heard Jessie whisper something quite nonsensical in her eyes. She felt Jessie's hands fervently rubbing her back and pushing aside the wet tendrils of Katie's hair.
Katie had never felt so safe or so delighted in her life. She conjectured that she was dreaming and she did not want it to end.
"Jessie..." Katie held Jessie's waist with her hands.
"Katie! Katie! Don't ever do this to me again!" Jessie almost sobbed.
"Jessie..." Katie could only murmur pensively.
"I think we take Miss to the hut." Paali cut in softly.
Katie blinked when she heard Paali's voice.
Jessie unlinked herself from Katie. As if a dream broken, Jessie suddenly realized what she was doing. She moved aside as Paali and the others helped Katie stand up.
Katie felt a wave of sickness hit her as she put her foot on the sand.
"Careful, Miss. Water still in your head." Norash Khamur warned.
Katie nodded. But her eyes were fixed on Jessie standing some inches away. Her face was lowered. Katie swallowed a lump in her throat. She wanted to call Jessie but somehow her voice was stuck. She only watched Jessie from the corner of her eyes as they helped her walk towards the colony.
Katie was starting to get irritated with the way everyone was fussing over her. She was feeling much better and she did not want ten people massaging her legs, another ten people feeding her and almost the rest of the village asking her whether she wanted something else.
All she wanted was to go and have a bath. The salt was itching the pores of her body and she wanted to wash it off. But they were eager to lay her down first.
Through the occasional gaps in the crowds of people she saw Jessie standing by the doorway. There was a smirk on her face as if she was enjoying this grand soap opera scene.
"Thank you Heemie. I am good. Please, you will suffocate me." The young woman moved away in horror and apologized profusely.
Katie rolled her eyes, "NO! I didn't mean THAT! I meant I think I am fine and all of you need some sleep. I don't want to trouble you."
Madil smiled and shook his head. "No trouble no trouble." He assured her as he barked orders for another bowl of soup.
"Great! All my hours with my personal trainer gone for waste." Katie muttered. Then she gathered her strength and almost shouted, "People! Please!"
Everyone stopped and stared at her, nervous, wondering what did they do wrong.
"Please. I am fine. All I want is to be left alone." Katie pleaded.
Paali intervened and said something to the people. They nodded hesitantly and left. Paali shot Katie an apologetic smile before leaving herself.
As soon as everyone left, Katie got up in a bolt. She saw Jessie look at her disapprovingly.
"Alright, Dr. Sammler. Don't give me that look. I am fine and I need to wash the salt off before I don't have any skin left on me."
"I can help you." The words were out even before Jessie could think about it.
"What?" Katie asked, incredulously.
"I mean... I mean... your body is covered with salt. I don't... I mean... I also want to check if there are any rashes."
Katie was speechless. Was Jessie actually implying that she wanted to help her shower? Maybe she was hearing too much. Maybe as Norash Khamur said, the water has indeed filled her brains.
What happened the next hour had a total surreal quality to it. Jessie followed Katie to the bathroom. Katie peeled off the clothes that were soaked with salty water and perspiration. She did not dare look into Jessie's eyes.
Jessie felt her heart hammer against her chest.
"So?" Katie asked.
Jessie swallowed the nervousness. "Huh?"
"Are there any rashes?"
Jessie pretended to look for any sign of red blemish. But all she could do was marvel at the perfection called Katie.
"No... no... I don't think so." Jessie had trouble using her tongue.
"Good." Katie smiled. She finally looked into Jessie's eyes. She was pleased with what she saw.
"Then maybe you could help scrub my back." Katie murmured seductively.
Jessie found her feet taking her forward towards Katie even though her rationality screamed in the opposite direction.
Katie turned on the shower knob and a jet of water streamed down. Katie turned. Jessie gasped.
Katie gave a small smile.
"You will get wet."
Jessie nodded jerkily. Her hormones were in a mad whirl and she did not know which was acting on what right then.
"Then maybe we should get rid of your clothes too." Katie soothingly whispered.
Her fingers working like an automaton, Jessie unbuckled her jeans as Katie worked her way through her shirt.
With the water cascading down their heads and meeting in small beads on their bare bodies, Jessie could not think of anything more erotic. She raised her chin as Katie's lips slowly met hers.
The first contact was electrifying and Jessie gasped at the rage of passion that shot through her body. That passion provided a feedback, which propelled her forward and fused her lips with Katie's.
Katie deepened the kiss until their tongues met in frenzied heat.
Katie raised her hands to cradle Jessie's head fearing that they might get swayed away by the force of passion.
Just then Jessie linked her body with Katie's and she ran her hands along the slim thighs of Katie.
Suddenly, Katie froze.
She backed away. Jessie blinked in confusion. Without a word, Katie walked out of the bathroom.
Jessie stood in the running shower for some minutes, not quite comprehending what happened. One moment, they were engaged in passionate kissing, and the next Katie coldly rejects her.
She could only think of one reason. Katie found it too disgusting to be with her again.
Jessie did not have the strength to go outside and face Katie again. She could tell herself that her response to Katie was purely biological. But she knew that she would be lying. No one had the kind of effect on her as Katie did. She was in love with that girl. Always had been.
She suddenly felt a warm hand on her shoulder. Katie was staring at her. She was holding out a white towel for Jessie. Looking down, Jessie shrugged into it.
They walked back into the room in silence.
Katie was dressed in a man's bathrobe. Her wet hair hung limply from her head. She settled herself on the ground.
Jessie sat on a cane chair.
"I am sorry." Katie breathed.
"No, don't be." Jessie said, "It is my fault. We are too apart from each other to ever go back again."
"I am not."
"What?" Jessie's face contorted in bewilderment. "Then... there..."
Katie clasped her hands in front of her.
"I know you have heard about me. About all the rumours of the numerous women I have bedded. I did not want you to think that what would have happened there was merely pleasure for me."
"What do you mean?"
Katie was silent, struggling to find the right words.
"I know that a lot has happened. Even though, you know the truth now, yet we have a lot of issues between us. The primary one being of trust. I loved you Jessie. You meant the world to me back then and I would have never, never cheated on you. Even after all these years..." Katie absorbed the tears that were brimming in her eyes, "Even after all these you still mean the same to me. I would be lying if I told you that I do not want you. But I know that if I would have let it continue back there... I would never have lived with the fact that we had sex for any other reason but love."
Jessie was shocked into silence.
Finally she asked, "Do you... do you mean... you... that you love me?"
Katie looked up into her eyes. All of a sudden, they weren't in the bedroom of a bungalow anymore. They weren't stranded on a tropical island anymore. They were not adults who had lived a loveless youth.
They were teenagers in the attic in the Manning House. They were back to that day when Jessie and Katie first kissed.
"Yes, I love you Jessie." Katie confessed. "I understand if you don't." She looked away. "I understand if you are angry with me, hate me even. We have a spark, a physical attraction no doubt. Call me selfish, but I cannot give myself to you for lust and neither take anything from you."
In an instant, Jessie jumped across to Katie and wrapped her arms around the baffled girl.
"Don't ever say that I hate you, Katie. Because I don't. I can't. You have been the only person who I have loved in a way that made me feverish in desire and gentle in patience. I have waited every minute of every day of my life for you to come back. I had tried to coax myself into forgetting you, but you were that shadow that was always with me. If I was the body, you were like my identity. You were everything I ever dreamt of, I ever desired. When you left, you took a part of me with you. That part I could never replace. You want to know why we have this attraction even after so many years?" Jessie stroked Katie's face, "This is because we are like one, Katie. You and me."
Katie could only cherish the baby blue glow that Jessie's eyes radiated. She could not believe her ears. She stroked Jessie's hair in amazement.
"Jessie..."
"Katie, when Yana told me about your girlfriends, I wanted to tear my heart in pain. That moment, I thought you had gone ahead without me. I do not blame you. I was wrong. I falsely accused you. You have every right to start a life without me. I admit that your previous relationships would always be a source of hurt for me, but your love is the biggest strength..."
"I never slept with them." Katie interrupted.
"What?"
Katie smiled as she felt her heart unburdening itself.
"I never slept with any of them. You are the only person who has touched me and made love to me, Billy. I let the world believe a lie because it was easier for me to live with an image that painted me cruel. Maybe in some level I wanted to justify what you thought and I let everyone believe that indeed I was a slut. I came close to sleeping with some. But every time, they would remind me of you and I would be too hurt to carry on."
Jessie did not whether to cry or laugh at that moment. In that instant, Katie was the same silly girl that she had fell in love with; that she still was in love with.
Katie drew Jessie close to her. They stayed in each other's arms for a long time. Katie abruptly noticed the rays of sunlight passing through the window. It was dawn.
"Hey, Jess! Look it's morning!"
Jessie smiled, "Yes, the night's over."
"Mr. Carter, I advise you to tell us what you know about Miss Kathryn Singer." Captain Sean Harding's voiced loomed over his head.
Trey flinched unconsciously. Captain Harding looked like one of those legendary Viking pirates with his large physical stature and his shock of red beard.
"Captain Harding, I tell you I do not know." Trey squeaked weakly.
Captain Harding gave Bane a small glance, "Your friend here believes otherwise."
Trey could not help glaring at Bane.
"I am sure he is mistaken."
Bane sighed in the background, "Please, Trey. Just tell him. The poor man has to face a lot of bureaucrats."
Captain Harding frowned at the word poor man.
Trey shook, "I am... I am not too sure. I do not know anything... I mean... I think... but..." Trey mumbled.
"But you told Mr. Bane that Kathryn had told you where she went, didn't you?" Everyone turned towards the intimidating female voice.
Bane could not help smile when he saw the notorious Jade von Heinbich. Trey was in trouble.
Trey hung his head. "I lied." He let out.
Jade clenched her fist to control her temper.
"You lied? You lied knowing very well that Kathryn was not on the ship, that something could very well be wrong, that she might be in danger somewhere, that she might..."
"I don't think she is in danger." Trey intervened piteously.
Bane gave a short, sour laugh, "My friend here thinks that Kathryn is having a romantic escapade with her lover on a tropical island."
"What?" Jade's eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"
Trey shifted uncomfortably, wishing that the ground (or more appropriately the sea) would swallow him.
"I think Kathryn is with someone... someone... she is supposed to be with."
Jade shook her head at the incredulity. "What are you? A matchmaker or something? Just to satisfy some sick romantic illusion, you are going to toy around with the life of my friend?"
Bane smirked, "That's precisely what I said. Kathryn and Jessica are a creation of his own figment of imagination."
Bane frowned when Jade's look of cold disbelief turned to him.
"Jessica?"
"Yes, Jessica." Trey tried to force some strength in his voice. "Jessica Sammler. She is with Kathryn on that island."
"You don't know that." Bane scolded.
Jade ran a hand through her hair. She felt that she was being struck by one information after another and she didn't have time to absorb all of them.
"Jessica? Jessica Sammler? Jessie..." Jade whispered in disbelief.
"You know who 'Jessie' is?" Trey gawked at her.
"Yes." Jade nodded. Suddenly she realized the enormity of the implications. She cleared her throat.
"Nevertheless, we don't know the danger Kathryn, both of them, could be in. I want some action to bring then back."
Captain Harding, who had been up till now listening to the conversation with little more than bored interest, snorted an agreement. He said he would inform his security and sea patrols immediately.
Bane was eager to go back to the Italian artist he had found in the casino and politely excused himself.
Trey and Jade were left alone.
Trey glanced at Jade uncomfortably. "Sorry." He said, "I admit that the idea that Kathryn and Jessica may be in danger occurred to me. It was stupid of me to have kept it hidden for so long. It's just that it seemed to me that they were very miserable on the ship. They went even more miserable whenever they had to remain civil towards each other. I am sorry, but I wasn't entertaining any sick illusion. If it makes you feel better... I almost... well... started to like Kathryn."
Jade couldn't help but smile. She was angry and touched with the man's sensitivity.
"Trey, I know what you did had the best of intentions. But, Kathryn is not a very wildlife, trekking person. I am afraid, she wouldn't be in her best moods on the island."
Trey smiled sheepishly, "I just hope that Jessica is taking care of the situation."
Jade rolled her eyes, "I just hope that she is taking care of Kathryn. God knows, Kathryn is worse than a cranky baby sometimes."
Katie screamed with a child's delight when the stick wiggled.
She quickly held it fast and with all her might she tugged at it. The stick came out of the water and on it's end dangled a small, gleaming fish, fighting to be free.
Katie cleared the squirming fish from the hook and laid it on the ground. Then placing it in a small bucket she found, that already contained two smaller fish, she carried it proudly.
Jessie was sitting with Paali and her two daughters. Jessie marvelled at the delicate fingers of these women, which made several baskets in a matter of minutes. Jessie was struggling with her first one and she was making a rotten job of it.
"Not like this, Miss." Paali corrected the position of her fingers. "You get hurt with needle."
Jessie blushed and nodded. This was probably the hundredth time that Paali was showing her how to do it and she had already pricked herself five times. Yet, she could not get it right.
Heemie saw the look of failure on Jessie's face and quietly put a hand on Jessie's lap.
"Miss... it alright. You learn very fast."
Jessie smiled, "Thanks. But right now I feel worse than an old Grandma."
The women laughed. Jessie made another row of straw. Her basket was almost half done. She was sweating with the mild exertion.
"Where is other Miss?" Paali enquired casually.
"Oh... Katie?" Jessie tittered, "I am assuming she went fishing."
Another older woman joined them. She whispered something in Paali's ears and Paali nodded. She turned to Jessie and stating an emergency, she excused herself.
When she went, Jessie was left with two women younger than her.
Heemie looked at Jessie and her eyes were gleaming with mischief, "Miss, you marry?"
Jessie was taken aback with the question. The locals had as yet not ventured into her personal life. Not that she had any problem telling them some facts about her life.
"No, Heemie. I am not married."
"You plan to marry the Miss?" The other girl, slightly older than Heemie, asked.
Jessie dropped her basket and in her shock she poked her fingers.
"Ouch!" She yelled.
"Oh Miss! You hurt yourself again." Heemie cried sympathetically as she stroked Jessie's fingers and applied some cold water on it.
"It's nothing." Jessie muttered. Though she had to admit that it did hurt like hell.
"What... what did you say?" Jessie asked.
Heemie and the girl stared in confusion.
"I mean... about my marriage." Jessie coughed.
"Oh..." Heemie shrugged. "Juna asking whether you marry the other miss."
"What? I mean... how... what do you mean?" Jessie stuttered, not knowing what to say.
Heemie frowned, "Miss... marriage. Your people not marry?"
Jessie shook her head. "No, no they marry. But Katie and me... I mean... like we are both girls."
"So?" the other girl scowled. Clearly, they did not understand what was so surprising about the concept or they had a DIFFERENT definition about marriage.
"Your people here..." Jessie chose her words carefully, "Would they allow such a thing? Like girls marry girls?"
"Yes, why not?" Heemie shrugged, "Paali was married to Nata."
"What?" Jessie pricked herself again. This time the pain escaped her. "Who's Nata?"
"Nata die last year." Juna sighed sadly. "Paali heart broke."
"Oh... and Paali's children?" Jessie gulped.
"We never ask." Heemie shrugged.
"Ohh..." Jessie blinked. Her mind trying to register this new information.
"Katie!" Katie turned from Norash Khamur. Katie was adding her three fishes to the whole tank of fishes that they had collected for the feast tonight.
"Hi! Jess! I caught three fishes!" Katie beamed proudly.
"Really?" Jessie was amused at the look of youthful exuberance on Katie's face. She leant forward and kissed Katie on the lips. From the corner of her eye, she saw Norash Khamur grin, but there was no shock or disgust on his face.
Katie frowned and looked guiltily around.
"Jess? What the..."
"I have to tell you something. You will not believe it!"
Katie stroked Jessie's hair absently. Jessie seemed as if she had ca ught a jackpot.
"Hmm... let's go somewhere private."
Without waiting another beat, Jessie grabbed her and tugged her towards the cliffs.
"Ok! What's so exciting?" Katie asked, once they were alone.
"The people knows!" Jessie shouted.
"Know what?" Katie asked.
"About us!"
"Us?" As Katie realized what Jessie meant, her face paled in fear, "You mean about our relationship?"
"Yes!" Jessie squealed and hugged Katie.
Katie stared back, baffled.
"Well... doesn't it bother you?"
"NO! Katie, that's the best part. They don't consider it to be something wrong! I mean... not that our world does. But I thought they would..." She shrugged, "Did you know that Paali was married to a woman once?"
"OH?" Katie frowned as if trying to decide whether she heard correctly. Then: "OH! What! Paali? Our Paali? The Paali with six children? She was a... a..." Katie shook her head in amazement.
Jessie laughed. "Yeah, I know. Heemie told me. She told me how Paali was married to a woman called Nata. Nata died last year and it broke Paali's heart."
"How did you guys reach such private conversations?" Katie looked at her suspiciously.
"Katie!" Jessie admonished playfully, "She was just asking me whether I was going to mar..." Jessie bit her lip as she realized what she was about to say.
"Whether you were going to?" Katie probed.
"Nothing. I forgot." Jessie looked down.
"Okay." Katie was puzzled.
Jessie wasn't sure where exactly they stood in terms of a relationship. They had confessed their love that night, but since then, there hadn't been much of a mention regarding that incident. They still slept separately. Though sometimes, they ended up sleeping on the same bed when either was too tired to walk to the balcony after their long talks. But nothing happened. Except the rare kisses and frequent hugs, there wasn't a display of affection. Jessie was wondering whether it was just the biological secretions of glands that did the talking that night.
She knew it wasn't for her since she felt the same every time she saw Katie. Today, actually there had been a step in the forward direction when Katie mentioned the word 'relationship'. However, Jessie was still wary of taking a major risk with her heart.
"Billy?" Jessie shook out the thoughts and looked up at Katie.
"Huh?"
"Let's go and prepare for the feast tonight."
The glow from the bonfire cast irradiance across the whole clearing. Chanting and hymns were heard from the young women as they prayed to the Gods of the Sea and Sky. Their bodies gleaming with paints and leaves, the young boys were jiggling in a local dance. The girls were less bizarre in their clothing. Their rough textured robes were colourful and they had applied something akin to make-up to make their skins shine.
Smokes from the fires were carrying the aromas of roast fish and pig. Two large men were rotating a huge pot continuously. Apparently, it contained what was their dessert, made of rice and coconut and tropical fruits.
The older women were making banana leaf plates and they were adorning them with special edible colours and beads. Some were grinding coconut pulp into a paste, which was liberally used - be it for marinating the meat, for sweetening the gravy or simply as a condiment.
Young children were wearing grotesque masks and chasing each other, while their parents shouted vain warnings.
Jessie was helping with the distributing of the rice, an important part of their diet. She carried huge baskets of cooked rice from the pot, bubbling with boiled water and rice and gave it to Paali who was responsible for adding spices and garnish and set them aside to cool before the grand feast began.
Katie helped in the roasting. She and Madil chatted as they browned the pieces of meat and fish that were rapidly piling the baskets.
The whole atmosphere was filled with noise, work and laughter. There was a lot to be done and everyone enjoyed what he or she was doing.
"This is the last one." Jessie sighed as she placed the basket down beside Paali. Paali noticed the sweat on Jessie's face.
"Miss, you are very tired. You rest."
"No." Jessie smiled reassuringly, "I want to help. It seems fun."
Paali clucked her tongue, "Miss, we feel bad if you sick."
Jessie patted Paali's hand hearteningly. "I am not that fragile, Paali. And anyways, I feel like I am a part of this celebration and this village." Jessie immediately regretted saying this.
"Yes, yes, Miss you are." Paali smiled, "We cannot thank you and Miss Kaatie. We all like you a lot."
Jessie sat down beside Paali. She noticed Paali expertly placing brown powders and garnish leaves in the rice.
"Heemie said she tell you about Nata." Paali said quietly.
"Yes." Jessie whispered. "I am sorry, Paali."
Paali smiled in the distance, "Miss, me love Nata from heart. I know that Nata with Gods now and she very happy. I happy for her."
"You must love her very much." Jessie perceived loud.
"Nata was my life. She still is, Miss. She not with me, but she always in my heart."
Jessie esteemed the intense feeling she saw in Paali's eyes.
"Miss, you and Miss Kaatie very special. You very lucky." Paali observed.
Jessie sighed, "I still don't know. I know I love her and she loves me too. But love is not enough."
Paali nodded, "No, love not enough. But love is strength. You use that strength, not hide it."
Paali looked into Jessie's eyes and Jessie felt her eyes draw courage from Paali's brown depths.
"Miss, the world not understand love. But it still lives. You do not lose what you have. When you in love, your world is like a flower, very beautiful, very alive."
Jessie looked at Katie. She and Madil were laughing animatedly. As if on cue, Katie turned and caught Jessie's eye. She waved to Jessie and Paali.
Paali smiled while waving back, "Miss Kaatie is todderroo."
"Todderroo?"
Paali stifled a chuckle, "What you say head-over-heel-in-love."
Jessie blushed. In that case, she was even more Todderroo.
"C'mon Jess!" Katie grasped Jessie's hands and pulled her towards the circle.
"NO!" Jessie screamed, "Katie, I suck at dancing!"
"So do I." Katie said simply.
Jessie was powerless as she was led towards the promenading men and women. They saw them coming towards the circle and disentangled themselves to allow Jessie and Katie to merge among them. Jessie and Katie held hands and tried to hop and shake in sync with the practised steps of the others.
Jessie giggled as she saw Katie stumble.
The next moment she stepped on someone's foot. She blushed and apologized to the offended. He good-naturedly smiled and dismissed it.
It was Katie's turn to laugh.
The girls awkwardly staggered. A young girl held Jessie's hands, as she was about to fall.
"Miss, careful. Maybe I teach you." The girl offered bashfully.
"No, thanks." Katie cut in sharply. "She's with me." Katie curled her arm around Jessie's protectively.
Jessie blinked at Katie's possessiveness.
The girl nodded and moved away.
"Katie! You didn't have to be so hard on that poor girl." Jessie reprimanded.
Katie pouted, "She was hitting on you, Jessie."
Jessie tried to remain innocently calm. "So?"
"Jessie... I..." If Katie was honest with herself, she did not officially have any right to behave in that way.
"I am sorry. You are right." Katie's mouth drooped.
Jessie's heart ached when she saw Katie like this and she immediately kissed Katie on the cheek.
"Hey, Billy! I was just kidding."
"You were?"
"Yes, I was. If anything... it made me feel good."
"I don't think I can eat anything else for the rest of my life." Katie groaned as she stroked her stomach.
Jessie sipped the wine that the locals had made out of paddy.
"I don't think I can drink anymore."
Jessie unconsciously leant against Katie as she watched the youngsters who were not yet exhausted and were dancing and drinking their way to oblivion.
Katie stroked Jessie's hair.
They were both silent as they watched the dance. However, neither was really concentrating on what was going on around the fire. Their attention was focused on the way their bodies felt against each other. Katie felt her chest brush against Jessie as she breathed. Jessie was delightfully aware of the heat of Katie's breath on her hair.
Finally, Katie whispered, "Jessie?"
Jessie did not want this moment to end. "Hmm?"
"Did I have the right to say what I did to that girl?"
Jessie was mute for a moment. She at long last said, "Maybe that is for you to decide, Katie."
"Jessie, let's go back." Katie softly breathed into Jessie's hair.
Jessie stared shyly at Katie. They were standing in the bedroom of the Northing House. They had run their way to the bungalow. When they were there, all they could do was look at each other.
"Jessie... I want you to be ready for this." Katie's voice was barely above the human decibel level of perception.
"I know." Jessie sighed. In her mind, she heard Paali's words, "I am ready Katie."
Katie was surprised and then she gave a coy laugh.
Jessie silenced her with a kiss. Katie closed her eyes to revel in the passion that Jessie' s lips brought.
Jessie slowly raised her hands to encase Katie's overflowing brown hair.
Katie moaned as her tongue pushed against all barriers of shyness and explored the warmth within.
Jessie arched her back. Katie brought her lips down to Jessie's delicate neck. She nibbled the soft curves of her neck and the earlobes. Without a pause, they tumbled down on the bed.
Katie proceeded to kiss Jessie further down. Jessie kissed Katie's hair as it fell on her face. She kissed Katie's slender fingers.
Jessie's heart rate speeded up when Katie removed her shirt and touched the hot skin underneath it. She ran her hands across Jessie's chest.
"Katie... Katie..." Jessie moaned the name that was tattooed on her heart.
"Jessie... please say now if you want to stop. Please tell me if you don't want to." Katie pleaded, in the throes of passion.
"Katie... I don't want you to stop." Jessie let our hoarsely.
Katie looked up. She saw the wild storm in Jessie's eyes. Without a word, Katie climbed down along the length of Jessie's body.
As they undressed each other, their clothes falling off, revealing their bodies and souls to a desire that was immense and inexpressible.
Shredding off the last pieces of clothing, Katie kissed Jessie's body. She tingled parts in Jessie, which Jessie didn't even know she possessed. As Katie's lips explored the most secret portions of Jessie's innocence, Jessie bit her lip to keep her arousal in check.
Jessie overturned as Katie lay down. Jessie aroused Katie in a way that she didn't think was possible. It was like being consumed in a fire that burned through her veins. Katie buried her hands in Jessie's hair as Jessie kissed her chest.
"Jessie... I want you... Oh Lord! I want you..."
That night, the moon and the stars, the tropical winds, the placid waters of the sea- all were witnesses to the union that trespassed the boundaries of a physical entity and gained something ethereal.
As the wet, slicked bodies of Jessie and Katie slid into one, it was like two missing parts of a being finding each other. It was like an age-old thirst had been satisfied. There was nothing vulgar or even remotely lascivious in what took place that night. Never had a sexual union felt more tranquil, more exceptional.
Their bodies and spirits satiated, the two fell asleep in each other's arms. Their entire adult worries and fences forgotten. They were ripped away from their masquerade and they lay naked, exposing only their true selves. Only love engulfing them, that night after fifteen years, Katie and Jessie fell in a sleep that wasn't haunted by sorrow or fear.