\\Shikamaru\\
When I walk through the automatic doors of the airport, I'm greeted by the humidity and warmth of the region. Even with difficulty, I inhale the air with desire, part of me is in this country and always will be.
I think my excessive number of cousins will be happy to see us. And the excited faces of the women in my life tell me that they will be too. Especially my mum, she has her whole family here, she really loved my dad enough to leave everything for him. It's a shame he's not here with us, he always loved this country.
Near the taxi rank, one of my uncles was already waiting for us. After several hugs, we headed for my grandmother's house, where we'll be staying for the next two weeks. In the car I text Tema and my sister smiles as she reads the name at the top of the screen, and yes, she made me tell her everything and even my mum knows now, Ino owes me a lot. I hope they don't get their hopes up, neither of us is ready for anything serious, we're only together because we have an attraction that's impossible to deny.
The car stops and through the window I see the large family home and a crowd of people at the entrance. When we open the doors, we're showered with hugs and kisses, most of us smiling, but many of us can't hold back the tears of longing.
- My little grandchildren! - my grandmother says with a smile and hugs us, even though it's hard to reach our side. My whole family has made a huge effort to learn English, and even though some of them speak it with difficulty, just the fact that they've done it for us makes me immensely happy.
- Sobo! - my sister and I say in her mother tongue and her tender smile only gets bigger. Her rough hands caress our faces and we both smile back.
- It's time to celebrate! - says my aunt with a bowl of typical food in her hand which she places on the large lunch table ready for an incredible buffet. I missed the wonderful smell of this food.
Lunch was full of laughter and stories, after all we had a lot to tell, I hadn't been here since last summer. My baby cousins are already walking, others seem to have grown half a metre since I left, some are already going to be parents, every time I come here I feel that on this island time passes more quickly.
In the afternoon we were given time to rest, after all we had a long flight here, and after an homemade dinner we went to rest again, I'm really tired. But knowing the Naras as I know the back of my hand, I know that the lull will be short-lived and tomorrow the activities will begin. I can even imagine the little ones putting on a show, the mums showing off embarrassing old photos. Despite denying myself, I love these things, it's something I only have here and it makes this place even more special.
The morning starts early with someone knocking on my door to wake me up to go get some breakfast. I put on comfortable clothes and comb my hair before heading downstairs. Downstairs the table is already full of people, as they all live nearby and are always walking round the houses and my grandmother is happy to cook for everyone.
- Good morning! - I say and give her a kiss on the head.
- Good morning! - everyone replies.
- How are things in LA? - my closest cousin, Mitchel, who is the same age as me, asks.
- You know, the same as always, work, training, fun and women. - I say and we both laugh.
- Haven't you found one yet? - he asks.
- It's not like here! - I laugh at his look of confusion - Unlike you, I still have a few years of freedom to enjoy, marriage isn't until I'm about thirty.
- I don't know if you're lucky or unlucky!
- As far as I'm concerned, it's luck, my list is long! - I say and receive a slap on the neck from my sister that startles me.
- I don't think your girlfriend would like that! - she scolds me.
- You're not so free after all! - says Mitch.
- Don't listen to the deluded girl, she's not my girlfriend!
- The way you lie to yourself is incredible! - she rolls her eyes in my direction.
- Mind your own business! - I scold her, what a great way to start the day!
- But you're coming to my bachelor party, aren't you? - he asks me.
- Of course I'm coming, I can't miss an evening of fun! - I say with a full belly and get up to return the plate to the kitchen.
- Good, it's Friday, my last free night! - he says behind me and winks when I turn round.
- I'm glad you're getting married and I'm glad we came in time for the wedding, even without warning.
- I wanted it to be a surprise! - he says with a smile.
- Don't worry, as long as you get us a decent outfit, you're forgiven! - I say and pat him on the shoulder.
- I've got that covered! - he assures me.
I say goodbye temporarily and go back upstairs, I'm thinking of going the beach this morning. When I've finished changing into my beach clothes, I knock on my sister's door.
- I'm going to the beach, are you coming? - I ask her.
- Of course! Just let me change.
- OK, I'll wait for you downstairs! - I say and go into the living room to see what's going on.
- They're already showing the photos, aren't they? - I asked and sat down next to my aunts and mum, who were passing their mobile phones around to keep up to date.
- Of course, you know how it is, little ones grow up so quickly! - says one of my aunts and shows me a video of one of her grandchildren taking their first steps, yes she already has grandchildren, my mum is one of the youngest.
- It's absurd, I think time should stop so they can stay like this forever! - I say, because I haven't seen the baby since he was just three months old.
- You say that because you're not the one who cleans his nappies or has to put up with him crying all night! - says one of my cousins who has also recently become a father.
- Or you're not the one who has to expel him from your body during hours of pure sacrifice! - says one of my older cousins.
- Children aren't in my plans for the near future either way. - I reassure them.
- Do you know where you're going today? - asks my mum.
- I'm thinking of going to the beach with Mirai, are you coming too?
- I think I'll stay here. Make the most of the little time I have with my brothers!
- It's a good thing we're leaving! - Mirai says as she walks up to us carrying a beach bag.
- See you later! - I say and kiss my mum's head before heading off to the beach, as it's close by we can walk.
After a short walk, we finally found the blue sea. Although it's March and the beginning of spring, the heat and humidity never leave the air, so it's nice to be able to cool off.
We found a place to put our towels and made ourselves comfortable in the sun. Apparently the long plane journey wasn't enough because my sister kept updating me on her life as a teenager and forcing me to tell her about mine as a young adult.
- Please, I can't take any more of this chatter, let's go walk for a bit. - I say and get up, followed by her.
The calm waves lap at my feet and I sigh, it seems strange that the sea is not freezing, in California it's very cold, even more so at this time of year. I keep on walking on the sand, relaxing with the sensation it brings me, I love the beach. As I'm bathed in relaxation I remember when, at the beginning of our dates, I took Tema to the beach and how she told me it was a special place because only in Los Angeles had she had the chance to see the sea. Thinking about how much we've evolved made me laugh, we were so naive to think it would only last a short while.
Shortly afterwards, I got back on the towel and lay down next to my sister to take advantage of the little bit of sunshine we're going to get today. The weather here is very unpredictable, it can rain or be sunny the next second.
My mobile phone starts vibrating frantically and I quickly pick it up, it was a call from my princess - Hi Tema! How are things going over there? - I ask and get Mirai's attention.
- Everything's great, my dad's a sweetheart and I've been missing my brothers terribly. What about you? - she says on the other end of the line
- I'm great too, I'm loving every second of it, I've missed everything here, but especially my family! - I say and my sister starts asking if she's my girlfriend and I mumble to her to keep quiet.
- Is everything all right? - she asks fearfully.
- Yes, it's just my sister who doesn't know how to mind her own business! - I say irritated and with a look that I hoped would be enough to shut her up.
- Hi Temari, I'm Mirai! - she ignores my signals and makes herself present. The look I give her this time is even more deadly.
- It's a pleasure to hear your sweet voice. - she says, knowing that my sister is listening in, her ear already glued to mine - I hope you're bothering him since I can't do it.
- Don't worry, I'll make sure of it.
- I'm grateful. - she says and I finally get Mirai to move away, breathing a sigh of relief.
- Did Ino tell her? - she asks.
- How did you guess? I say wryly.
- Tenten told my sister, we're terrible at keeping secrets.
- You can believe it! - we both laugh at our misfortune.
We keep talking for a few minutes until I have to have lunch and she needs to sleep, the time difference is killing me. And she's half a world away. Is it a bad sign that I'm already missing her?
- Let's go back for lunch! - I say to my sister and she gets up to tidy up before we go.
- I've missed you so much, I think I rarely express my love for you! I want the best for you Shika! - she says suddenly and surprises me.
- I love you too, little sister, and I'll always be here for you!
- What if I'm far from home? she asks -What if I lose it all?
- Then sister, I'll help you! If the sky comes falling down on you, there's nothing in this world I wouldn't do for you! - I reassure her.
- Thank you for being such an incredible brother! - she stops in front of me with her arms open for me to hug her.
I wrap my arms around her small body and then we return to our walk home for lunch.
The week went by full of fun, our family had lots of activities planned even though we were in the middle of a working week. We spent a lot of time with our younger cousins who are also on holiday.
Friday soon arrived and I'm ready for tonight and the wedding tomorrow. According to what Mitch told me, we're going to a small bar nearby to celebrate. We've also got our clothes, which we were given as a welcome gift despite our best efforts to pay for them. And we already have a wedding present that we went to buy in the city centre the other day, some decorative and versatile vases that all three of us like.
We're already in the car on the way to the bar, there are only a few of us, but we need two cars, just some of my cousins and some friends of the groom are going.
The bar was a little shack by the beach, nothing special or very grand, but there were already quite a few people there and it's only ten o'clock at night.
- Let's go and enjoy my last few hours before the wedding! - my cousin says euphorically when we're all together.
- We can't stay out too late! Remember that tomorrow you'll be a married man. - reminds one of his friends.
- Don't be a killjoy! - he says and walks straight to the bar - Lucca, a round of shots to start! - he shouts and the barman smiles - Small town, everyone knows everyone.
- Then we're the ones who have to drag you home! - I say and roll my eyes.
We all accept the drink, I have to enjoy it while I can because football won't let me drink.
- I think you should stick to the beers, tomorrow is a big day and you shouldn't go in hungover! - the barman warns him and he agrees a little sad.
The night went on and we all drank a little more than we should have, well, everyone except the drivers, who have to stay sober. Conversations remained lively and we even danced a bit on the dance floor.
- Hello handsome! - a beautiful young woman said in Japanese.
- I don't think so, darling! - I say, already carried away by the drink, and turn my back on her to go back to the table, she's the third woman to hit on me today. Even though I haven't said anything, I know that the clauses of the agreement have changed and I could never sleep with someone other than Tema, I may not be the best example of a person, but I'm not going to cheat on her and I don't feel like it either.
- I think it's time to go, you'll be up early tomorrow! - one of the sober men says and my cousin revolts. Apart from the slight excess of alcohol, he's been doing pretty well. Whenever someone comes up to him, he shouts too loudly that in fourteen hours he's going to marry the woman of his life.
With a bit of demanding we managed to drag him out of the bar and back home.
I went in quietly and fortunately everyone was already asleep, so I went into the bedroom trying not to wake anyone and just took off my trousers and went straight to bed, I'm dying of sleep, I'll have a shower tomorrow.
By the end of the morning the next day, everything was ready for the big day, the suit I'd been given fit like a glove and my mum and Mirai are looking stunning in their dresses in the same shade of navy blue and with their hair done up. My suit is also blue and my hair is neatly styled, but I refuse to wear a tie.
When I showed Temari what I looked like, she laughed because I looked so tidy, but assured me that I was very handsome. She wished me a good wedding and I promised to keep updating her throughout the day. Today her father was going to take them for a surprise in the park, every day they have something to do, Mr Sabaku must love his sons and daughter very much.
Inside the church, we were all waiting with anticipation for the bride to arrive. Mitch could barely stand with his nerves as the best man tried to calm him down. For someone who drank so much yesterday, he seemed intact.
When the traditional music filled the room we all stood up and turned our faces towards the door, the bride was beautiful in her white traditional dress.
The ceremony went ahead with all the formalities and after the 'I do!' the priest said the famous words and everyone applauded with a kiss.
We headed straight for lunch, we're going to have a long day of celebrations ahead of us.
I can't ignore the strange feeling in my stomach that's chasing me, seeing people in love makes me have mixed emotions, I don't even think my heart knows what it wants, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about Tema since we spoke earlier.
I push that aside, it's probably just hunger. I'm going to enjoy this wedding while I can. I've only got one more week here and I want to make it worth it.