THE OCEAN VIEW

“You like music so much...?” he asked me with his gaze fixed on the road.

“Very much.” I replied turning up the volume of the music. Vibrations of the music can be felt on the glass of windows of the car. We both were singing like crazy pair of kids.

After about twenty minutes we stopped on the red light. People were all around on their vehicles, waiting for green light. I put the music volume to low as “see you again” played. Nova looked at me. I gave him a faint smile. “What happen...?” he asked me.

“Nothing. It’s just that I’m not used to so much surprises and happiness.” I said letting out a sigh, leaning back in my seat looking outside the window. “Be prepared for it then.” He said patting my head. I looked at him, he was smiling. I nodded to him and turned my gaze outside the window.

After few minutes, we head toward downtown area. It was cozy and peaceful unlike other place. There were less people on the streets though stalls, shops and restaurants were seems to be busy. I have never been to this part of the city before. I barely got chance to get of house...and if I got they are always related to grocery shopping or school trips. I was busy in my own world when Nova holds my arm.

“Let’s go.” And he unbuckles my seatbelt.

“I can do that.” I said with a giggling sound as he laughed at my gesture.

I put off my seatbelt and looked around were we were.

“It’s a parking area. We will walk around and have dinner.” He said leaving my arm and putting his phone in his jeans pocket. I nodded still looking around.

“Now what...?” he asked me adjusting hairs in the rare view mirror.

“nothing.” I hold his hand away from his hairs in a swift movement. “You are looking handsome.” I said turning mirror toward myself and adjusting my hairs.

“You should open your hairs. That will look more cute.” He said with a red face. I gave him a dare look putting on my lip balm. He put his hand in my bun and pushes out the clip. My hairs were open. He laughed at me as I turned to him with an angry look on my face. He was laughing so hard like a small child of ten. I smiled at him.

“You can open your hairs with me. And you are safe with me. I’m your brother.” He said looking away from me as I try to tie my hairs again. I cleared my throat and put the pin in my bag leaving my hairs open. He looked at me and our gaze met. “Let’s go”. He said.

We both get out of car and moved toward the gateway of the parking lot. We stopped by the guard office for receipt. He went inside and came back just like a gust of wind. “Whoa...so fast.” I aid with a sarcastic voice. He let out a little laughter waving the receipt in air to show me. I take receipt from his and put it in my bag. “What if you lose it with your childish acts?” I said looking at his surprised face.

“You are so unpredictable.” He said holding my hand. “Let’s go”. And with this we moved out of that gloomy dark environment of parking lot.

After about five minutes we were on the open street.

“Hold my hand okay. I don’t want to lose you.” He said looking at me as I was wondering around with my imagination and fascination about that place. I nodded and tighten my grip on his hand. There were not so much people but enough to call the streets busy. We started to step forward. There were cafes, tea houses, restaurants, street food stalls and different shops with almost every article. I was looking at everything like a small kid with so much fascination and amazement. We cross few streets and came to a broad street with beautiful lighting and open restaurant. “It’s...HUNGER STREET, Famous for its food and fun.” Nova explained me as we were moving toward the end of street. At the end of the street we stopped at a restaurant. It was just opposite to the sea shore. Across a wide road. “OCEAN VIEW! Wow.” And my eyes grew big. He looked at me and smiled. He swings my hand that he was holding and led me inside.

We approach to the reception where a lady was standing. “Good evening. How can I help you...?” she said with a bright smile. “We have a table booked by name of Nova Chohen.” “Wait for a moment please.” She replied typing something on her LED screen. Then she called someone on her microphone and tells him to show us the place. He was a tall, thin boy in his early teens, probably working part time here. “This way please...” he said leading us to our table. He took us thought the main hall way toward the staircase. We climb a few stairs and land u on the terrace of the place. The view was beautiful from there. Nova pulled me toward him as I got distracted by the natural beauty of the scenery. In a few minutes, we were at our table. “Here sir.” He smiled and left us. It was a very unreal for me. Nova let go of my hand and push a chair outside the table for me. He was smiling at me. I nodded and seated myself with a blush on my face. He moved to the other side of table and got his seat.

The place was open with dim but beautiful lightening. The view was spectacular from there. The sky was still orange and pink with some sunlight. Waves from the sea were hitting the shore leaving a calming splash in the environment. “Surely...it’s an ocean view.” I said to myself. I was feeling very calm in this peaceful environment. My face was glowing with the colours of dawn sky. I turned my gaze to the table and environment around the terrace. It was a round table with a soft satin white table cover having beautiful floral hand embroidery. I touched it with my fingers as if I was trying to remember its pattern and colours. The scented candle placed in the table was having a warm feeling with its flame...leaving a light touch of lavender and ocean muse in air. I close my eyes and inhaled the air to remember its feel and calmness. The white rose flowers in the vase were looking fresh and young. I tried to touch the flowers as I notice Nova smiling at me fondly. I got shy and tried to cover my face with my hands.

“Do you like this...? He asked me. “I love this. It’s like a dream come true for me. I always wanted to go to a place like this.” I said with a bright smile on my face. He laughed at my excited gesture. I blushed a little and tried to calm myself down. “I’m happy for you.” He said as a waiter came to take our orders. He gave us the menu booklets. They were looking royal with a blue velvet cover and italic fonts. I opened the booklet and I was shocked. I had never seen the names of dishes. They were alien to me. I looked at the price...so expensive. I look toward Nova over the book with a blank face. He was flipping through the pages. I close the booklet and put it on the table. “Can I have some water...?” I asked the waiter. “Yes ma’am.” He replied and went his way to get same. I cleared my throat and whispered to Nova who was still busy in pages of menu.

“Nova...? Nova...? Hey?” I whispered leaning toward him. He looked toward me putting the booklet aside.

“Ya. What...?”

“I don’t know anything. The menu is so wired and expensive. Let’s go somewhere else.” I asked him as he let out a funny giggle. “No. I’m serious.” I said with a serious look.

“No. I have arranged this for you.” He said again opening the booklet.

By the time waiter came and poured us water. I took a few sips and put that fragile glass on the table. “Are you ready to order miss...?” the waiter asked me looking at me. I went blank. Nova looked at my uneasy expression. “How about Italian...?” he asked me and I nodded in a yes. He let out a little smile on his face and turned toward the waiter.

“Green salad with fennel deserted with orange with lemon vinaigrette. Roasted garlic crab with roasted asparagus.” And he turned toward me.

I was amazed at his accent with everything like he is visiting here often.

“Anything for desert sir...?” the waiter asked Nova. “Do you want anything...? Nova asked me breaking my thoughts of amazement.

‘umm...yes sure.” I said baffling. “Go ahead.” He said winking at me.

“Semifreddo with strawberry please.” I told the waiter with a smile and looked toward Nova with a proud gesture. He raises his eyebrow and smiled at me. The waiter recites out order. “Is that all miss...” finally waiter asked me and I nod in a yes. “Any drink...?” he asked looking at Nova. Before he could say anything I said no. Nova gave me a dare look as the waited walked away with our list. We both were silent.

“Do you visit here often...?” I ask him out of curiosity.

“hm. Ya.” He said with no expression.

“With whom...? Your girlfriend...?” I ask him sarcastically.

“No. Alone.” He looked at me with a sharp gaze as he replied.

The waiter came with our salad. He put the dishes and filled our glasses again. “Enjoy your meal.” He said leaving us alone. The food was looking so delicious. “Let’s eat.” Nova said taking his spoon. I nodded and started to enjoy our meal. After few moments the waiter came with the course and left us to enjoy.

We both enjoyed our meal with light conversation. I was enjoying my time with him. We were laughing and sharing stories with each other. By the time out desert arrive.

It was so appealing. I look at nova.

“Go on.” He said smiling at me and I dug in.

“Here you are.”