Chapter 7: Take care of her

Rejena

The sun is beating down on my back, reminding me that I didn’t put any sunscreen on, and I will soon be looking like a blood-red tomato in need of a fridge. I haven’t been out in the sun often, as I work in an office from the time the sun comes up until just before it starts to set. I hate that I’ve become a workaholic, but it has gotten me a cozy salary and a stable life. Weekends have been spent studying or writing, and there’s not a lot of that being done outside in the sun. Come to think of it, I can’t even remember the last time I took a swim or had friends over for a braai. I’m constantly stuck with my nose in a book, wishing I could live a life where I was riding dragons, slaying monsters, or where I was courageous and full of wit.

My water is finished, and I’ve hiked more than ten kilometers around the mountain. The sun is hot, and if I had to guess, I’d say it’s about midday. Even with the constant stops to take in the sights and to marvel at the beauty of the nature surrounding me, I still feel winded, and in serious need of water. If I plan on making it out of here in one piece, I’d better start finding my way back to town. Luckily, my phone has this very handy hiking app that I’ve been dying to use but haven’t touched since I got it over a year ago. This holiday seems to be giving me all the reasons to use the items left to me. I quickly logged into the app and tried to find the quickest route back to town.

As I walk around a bend, I hear water running, and I nearly jump for joy. It takes a few minutes of going off-track, but I finally find a little river, perfect for a quick cool down. I look around to see if there’s anyone nearby, then quickly strip off my clothes and slip into the cold water. My skin feels like it’s sizzling after being in the sun for hours with no protection. I stay still for a moment, wary of what might be in the water. When no fish swim up against me and there are no strange movements causing alarm, I start to swim around. I know I need to get back on the road and return to the guesthouse, but the water is so nice that I start to completely relax, not caring that I’m in the wide open. What’s the point of being in a strange country where no one will probably remember you if you don’t do risky shit that you’d never do otherwise?

After spending nearly an hour in the water, my skin starts to feel like granny skin, and I know it’s time to get out and back on track. I carefully step out of the river and get dressed, taking comfort in the fact that, even though I’m slightly uncomfortable with my clothes now wet, I’m no longer burning up and not at risk of dying from heatstroke. I start my hike back to town, and after six hours of being out and practically dying of thirst, I head straight to the market. Luckily, people here are advanced enough that I can tap my watch on their terminals to pay and don’t have to dig out a wallet.

“What the hell happened to you?” Dalon’s voice comes from behind me just as I grab a bottle of water and start downing it. I hold up my hand to ask for just a second and finish the water, already reaching for the next bottle.

“I went on a hiking trail and lost track of time,” I tell him, which is only half the truth. I needed space from him, I needed to pray, and I needed to get my mind in the right place, because the last thing I can afford to do is catch feelings for someone far too young for me and way out of my league. Besides, I didn’t come here to find a man; I came here to find myself again, or at least, my younger self who dreamed of traveling and seeing the world.

“You lost track of time? You look like you nearly burned yourself to a crisp!” He looks worried, and I probably should be, too, but my first concern is getting water in my body, and then food.

“Are you in the mood for some food? I could really eat right now,” I say and start making my way to my trusted café. Mila is standing near the door talking to a customer, but the moment she sees me, she leaves the customer and rushes to my side.

“Oddio, cosa hai fatto?” she sounds concerned, so I assume she’s asking what I’ve done.

“You need food, sì?” she asks, pulling out a chair for me at the nearest table.

“Sì, grazie,” I say, and she doesn’t wait for me to say what I want to eat, she just rushes to the back and leaves me and Dalon, who followed me.

“I see you’ve already made friends,” he says, taking a seat in front of me.

“Do I really look that bad?” I ask, looking down at my arms and stomach, which are on display. I lift my sports bra to the side and see that I do look really bad. “Never mind. Don’t answer that,” I say, cursing myself for being so reckless.

“You’re going to need some excellent treatment for that, or you’re going to be in a lot of pain for the rest of your trip,” he says, looking like he’s in pain as he stares at my burnt skin.

“I have superb after-sun packed in. I hardly ever get in the sun, but when I do, I always forget to put on sunscreen. I’ve learned to invest in some amazing after-sun,” I try to brag, though it probably just sounds like I never learn my lesson.

“You should really just learn to put on sunscreen,” he points out.

“Yeah, I probably should, but the thing is, I never plan how long I’m going to be out. I’m used to jogging every morning and evening, but I hardly go hiking anymore like I used to. I really didn’t even think I’d make it as far as I did, but I guess I forgot how much I enjoy being out and just getting lost in nature.” Very few people understand my need to walk when I need to think. I need to create space between my problems and myself in order to truly process them. Walking and running have become my way of creating that distance.

“You said ‘used to’, why don’t you anymore?” he asks, pulling on a very sensitive string.

“My hiking partner died,” I say, and he seems to regret asking. “It was a long time ago, and I’ve learned to move on,” I add, hoping the pity in his eyes will go away. “So, Jack, tell me a bit about yourself.” I say, changing the subject. I’m not ready to open that can of worms yet.

“What would you like to know?” he asks, and I realize this is my moment to see how far he’ll take this fake name thing.

“Everything and anything really. What do you do for a living? Where did you grow up? Well, more specific than just ‘Britain.’ Your accent already gives that away.” I try to stick to safe questions, ones anyone trying to get to know someone would ask.

“Well, okay then. I, um…” He seems to think it over, and I know whatever comes out next is a lie.

“I love to DJ and play golf. I’m not currently working. I’m here to kind of find myself again. As for where I grew up, I grew up in Belgium with three other siblings. I have two sisters and a brother. I’m the second-born,” he says, and I realize maybe not everything about him is a lie. He’s trying to give as much truth as he can and that doesn’t involve his career as a Formula 1 driver. I guess I know now what his true reason for being here is.

“Funny, I’m also the middle child, and also have two sisters and a brother. But, well, seeing as I’m a woman, I guess it’s slightly different,” I say, amazed we have something in common.

“Yes, well, if you were to put all of us together, you’d think my sisters are the older siblings,” he says with a laugh, relaxing slightly.

“Yes, well, if you put us all together, you’d think I’m the oldest. But at least the rest of them seem to be having a good life, so I’m not upset about what I had to sacrifice to make that happen.” I really need to think before I speak. I’ve never spoken about my past to anyone, not even Caleb. Not that it would’ve bothered him; he had a similar upbringing.

“You had to sacrifice for them?” he asks, confused at the idea of giving up part of yourself for the well-being of others.

“My mother was very ‘by the book’ growing up. She never had it truly easy, but she had this habit of attracting men who were completely reckless,” I chuckle, remembering all the stories my mom used to tell. “She fell in love with a man, and they ended up with an unexpected pregnancy very early in their relationship. My father tried doing the right thing by marrying her. At first, everything was great, as it usually is. But then my mom fell pregnant again, and that was too much for my father and his free spirit to handle, so he bailed. Not out of our lives, he was a great father, but he couldn’t be tied down and had terrible spending problems.

“A few years later, my mom met my stepfather. He was more like her but could draw out her wild side a bit more later in their marriage. They had my brother, and then ten years later, a surprise pregnancy again.

“My older sister and my stepfather didn’t get along. She had my father’s wild spirit and couldn’t deal with all the rules. She made a few reckless decisions and got herself into some bad places. She’s still trying to get out of them. My brother, on the other hand, moved away and never looked back. My parents were struggling to make ends meet, and I stepped up. I got a job right out of high school and gave everything I could to help. I left all my dreams of studying and traveling behind, thinking I’d get a chance to do it someday. Things got better, and my parents are doing really well now, but I never got to chase my dreams, until recently.”

Before he can comment, Mila shows up with two plates full of creamy pasta that has my mouth watering.

“Grazie, Mila,” I tell her, and she gives me a kind smile before pointing at Dalon.

“Ah, lui è Jack. Lui è di Belgio,” I say in my best Italian before switching back to English. “He’s my new friend,” I add. She gives him a look, expecting him to say something, but he looks so nervous that we both end up laughing.

“She wanted to know who you are. I could only tell her your name and where you’re from. I still have a lot to learn when it comes to Italian,” I tell him.

“Prenditi cura di lei,” Mila says, pointing a finger at him and walking away.

“She could’ve said that in English,” he says. “Why not just say it in a language we both understand?”

“Well, like me, she only knows a few words in English. She says what she can. Besides, it wasn’t hard to understand her.”

“What did she say?”

“She said to take care of me, or something like that.”

“Yes, well, I can see why she’d say that. You sneak out of the room and come back looking like an overripe tomato. She has reason to worry.”

I pick up a serviette, roll it into a ball, and throw it at him, but completely miss.

“Oh, shut up and eat your food,” I say, laughing, enjoying how relaxed he seems.

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, then digs into the food.