The tiny skiff bobbed over the choppy waters to the little island just as the evening sun was mid-way down the horizon. âIslandâ was really a misnomer as the area of land was a little les than a mile across in any direction. It was discovered only a few years back after undersea volcanic activity had pushed it above the deep waters of the Pacific. A scouting team from the Geological Survey had been there to map it, but since then it lay largely abandoned, apart from the vegetation that springs up like magic from the ashes of any volcanic eruption and a colony of birds that made the crevices in the land their temporary migratory homes.
Sunil had found out about the island from a new atlas that had been published recently â as was his habit, before visiting a place he always studied maps of the land he was going to (as well as any desolate or quiet places near it). Sunil was a man of lonely places, and wherever he was he seemed to need to find some sort of refuge or secret garden that he could escape to when he needed to restore a sense of balance to his mind. An avid spelunker, he had stopped off on the island on his second day in Oahu. Like everyone else, he didnât see much of interest there, although he knew it could be a welcome refuge from the crowds and cities that plagued so much of the modern world, even in the Island Paradise of Hawaii.
He had been in Hawaii only three days so far, where he and his friend, Sujatha, had decided to take their annual vacation. Both liked traveling, but neither had ever met each other despite being friends for years via the Internet and Postal Services. This time they decided they were going to vacation together for a change.
Previously Sujatha would usually go with some of her friends or family together, whereas Sunil always headed for the odd-spots and out of the way places that werenât thronged with a horde of tourists. But after discussing the idea with him, Sujatha convinced him that this was one place that they shouldnât miss, even if it was a âtried and trueâ tourist destination.
They had set out for the islet about ten minutes ago, and the fires from the Luau that they had just attended were still visible behind them as the darkening waters parted for the tiny craft to make way through the surface of the ocean. The Luau had been entertaining and Sujatha had great fun there, although she knew Sunil was more interested than entertained, as he never seemed to fit in anywhere, even at a party where the champagne was flowing freely and there was a general atmosphere of gaiety.
He never seemed to be able to âlet goâ in the presence of others, was so reserved and quiet â in so much contrast to her own exuberant vibrancy and almost Zen-like ability to engage herself fully and completely in whatever she was doing. Often she wondered what he was thinking as he sat quietly observing his surroundings as she took in all the fun she could handle and then some. He just didnât seem to be âthereâ a lot of the times, like he was locked up behind his eyes and couldnât get out of the prison of his mind.
As the skiff approached the beachhead, Sunil touched Sujatha, who had been lulled to sleep, very gently on the shoulder and said âWeâre hereâ softly. Although Sunil had a rather intimidating exterior, looking somewhat like a member of an outlaw biker gang, whenever he spoke to anyone, it was always in a very soft monotonic voice that tended to soothe others with its slowness and docility.
Sujatha had always noticed this about him. His very soul was gentleness and any attempts at argument or strife were usually quickly nipped in the bud by a very rapid, but silent withdrawal into himself. If there was going to be strife, he certainly wasnât going to be a part of it! He always made that perfectly clear.
However, tonight was a night when no strife was possible. The moon was already out and the blood-red sun was just beginning to set as they got their things and made a little picnic from the makings of the luau they had nabbed before setting out to their secret place.
Sujatha spread the quilt out on the black sand that was common to all basaltic islands. Sunil thought that the sand matched quite nicely with Sujathaâs lovely black hair. He had longed to touch her hair when he had first met her, but as usual, held back . . . the scared little boy in him nicely masquerading as a gentleman as it always did. The black waves lapping up against the beach had a tranquilizing effect on the both of them. There seemed to be no need for words at the moment.
They set out their foodstuffs and Sujatha pulled the bottle of champagne out of her sac. They had brought some Styrofoam cups to pour it in, and Sujatha thought that this was rather funny â drinking first-classed champagne in the cheapest goblets available! Sunil poured her a cup of the bubbly and sat down beside her as they watched the waves together. They watched as the sun sank lower into the sea and the calm aura of night descended upon them.
âWow, itâs really dark out here, isnât it?â exclaimed Sujatha. âYes, it isâ Sunil replied. He loved that about her . . . they way she could say things like âwow!â and really mean them. The child in her had not died. He hoped that it never would. This was something that he could never seem to do. Sunil grew up in a swamp region, and he was well used to the aloneness and darkness that being away from civilization for a time could produce. âI can light the lantern if you like?â he offered. âNo thanks, I like it like this. Itâs nicer if we can see the stars! Did you enjoy the luau?â
âYeah, it was nice,â replied Sunil.
âJust nice?â
âWell, it was great because you were there. I love to see you having funâ.