Live in Maldives with my best friend

My heart is like a train pounding down the tracks, so if I'm honest being on this flight isn't all that relishing. I naturally don't have phobia for flying, but it all started years back when I was flying back home from Africa, i had gone to Zambia to visit my old friend Sombo in Lusaka City. Sombo and I studied together in London she is one of my close friends. She had moved to Australia to complete her degree while I was in my final year and that was how we parted ways. she was in Africa to visit her sibling which prompted me to visit since I have always wanted to go to Africa, I was one of those people that thought Africa was some kind of village and people there are suffering but visiting there made me realize how wrong have been, I haven't visited other countries in Africa which I will especially Nigeria but getting to Zambia i was out of breathe, it was a really beautiful place, I was able to explore the city in my one week stay,my favorite was the Sunday craft market, you will be amazed at the hand made souvenirs, the good choice of clothes, jewelries, art work and craft, the most amazing thing there was you could negotiate prices with the retailers which is almost impossible in the UK, I wasn't going to leave Zambia without visiting the Victoria falls, it was a whole day trip from Lusaka, I didn't mind cause I miss going on road trips with my girl Sombo.

That trip was worth it, the falls are a fascinating sight of inspiring beauty, I was told it is one of Africans greatest attractions as well as being one of the seven natural wonders of the world. I had fun in Zambia and I am definitely doing it again.

We left the falls the next day very early cause I had a flight to catch that night, i didn't sleep all night cause I was anxious about my flight, on the way back to Lusaka I slept in the car, I don't usually sleep when someone is driving but I trust Sombo with my life. She dropped me off at the airport, gave her a big hug, tears rolled down my cheek, I wished at that moment that we were never going to part ways again but life goes on they say.

I boarded my flight and about 20 minutes after takeoff the plane started to shudder continuously, I wasn't bothered I said to myself,

"Turbulence"

But it wasn't what I had assumed it to be, I could feel the plane going down very fast,fear crept over me like some hungry beast, immobilizing me and my brain but I controlled my breathe and tried to calm the panic, I covered my face with my palms while reciting all the verses of the Quran I knew. I had thought we were going to crash but Allah had saved us, the pilot had to make an emergency landing in Zimbabwe where they fixed the engine problem after which we took off again on the same plane, didn't stop praying till we landed safely, after that horrible experience I had developed phobia for flying especially when there is turbulence it freaks me out. Back to reality.

Our flight was great, we had time finally to catch up, we talked about work and also gossiped about our friends. Limah also told me about Noor her new boyfriend who is currently working and studying in Australia, I am happy for her but a bit jealous about the fact that I'd have to share my bestie with a guy

"Is Limah finally getting married in December?"

I thought to myself. Well I wasn't bothered because the one thing we agreed to do before getting married is going on a trip which we already embarked in. instead I was pretty much excited that I will be planning a wedding soon and I will be the chief bridesmaid.

After a long conversation we both slept off, when we were about to land,the air hostess woke us up to fasten our seatbelts. We saw the cake they left on our thigh, they must have done that while serving but why couldn't they wake us up for food instead. We didn't care much, we were just excited the long journey was over, we both tighten out seatbelt and prepared for landing.

I was sitting by the window, the beautiful view of the country made me forget my phobia as we were gradually reaching the ground, it looks amazing and peaceful, i hadn't even noticed we had landed on the soil of Maldives, it was a perfect landing. The plane stopped moving and the pilot announced our arrival, we all clapped for the pilot.

We stood up to get our hand luggage from the hand luggage compartment.

Limah and I joined the queue as we all gradually got down from the aircraft, I brought out my phone and we both took a selfie for the gram with the caption

"Live in Maldives with my best friend"

We got into the bus and it dropped us all off at the entrance leading to the immigration counter, we were cleared and we proceeded to get our luggages after which we followed the arrow which led us to arrivals hall. We could sight our names 'Dina Yakeen' and 'Limah Muhammad' from afar written boldly on a cardboard paper.

"Limah that must be from the resort"

"Yes it sure is" she replied, shining her teeth and waving at the guy.

"Put down your hand and stop behaving like a local girl, and I hope you still remember your Arabic language cause we are going to need it here"

"Salam" he greeted .

"Waalaikasalam" Limah replied.

I was just standing there watching them converse and wondering why the resort will send someone who doesn't speak English.

"Ismi Jamal" (my name is Jamal).

At this point I give up, I mean Jamal only speak Arabic so how are we suppose to communicate? I was almost regretting why I didn't take Arabic class serious In high school, well the only reason I hid my exasperated expression was cause Jamal is so damn fine. You know all those cute Arab guys you come across on Instagram explore? Yeah, that is exactly what Jamal looks like.

"Ant Limah wa Dina?" ( are you Limah and Dina)

Limah at this point you could tell she was flirting with him, with a huge smile on her face she replied him

"Nam, ana Limah (yes I am Limah) then she pointed to me and said " Dina"

I interrupted their conversation and asked, pointing my finger at him "you" then I raised my fingers to my mouth "speak English?"

"La" (no) he replied "taal" (let's go).

He fouled the cardboard under his underarm, took Limah's box from her and headed to the car park, I was surprised he didn't take mine, I guess it is now obvious we don't like each other much. Limah grabbed my wrist and pulled me along, he placed Limah's box into the car booth and for a sec I thought he wasn't going to place mine but he did.

He opened the car door and said

"udkhul wajlis" (Pls get in and sit down).

"Shukran ya Jamal" ( thank you Jamal ) Limah replied smiling again.

We got into the car heading straight to Filaidhoo resort.

"Limah ask your friend how long it will take us to get to the island"

"It is an hour drive" Jamal replied me

"What??!!!" I screamed

"You speak English and you pretended like you don't?"

"Well if Limah had asked I woulda told her the truth"

"Impressive Jamal, you got me there"

His English is perfect, he has an American accent, coupled with the fact that he is handsome, but he is as short as Limah so they deserve each other. We couldn't see much of the city and it people because we were heading straight to the island, there were lots of tall beautiful trees and the road is as smooth as silk, very pleasing on the eye,It felt good being in a new environment. In About 45minutes I could see a sign board with Filaidhoo island Boldly written on it, I was excited, "we are almost there" I said to myself. After about 20 minutes I was awed at the fact that we haven't reached yet, Limah is of course unbothered cause she is asleep, after the long nap we took on air how is she still sleeping?? Well maybe she is making up for all the sleepless nights she had while studying for her exam.

"Jamal why are we still on the road?"

"You asked how long it will take to get to the island and not the resort"

"Asshole" whispered to myself

It is not as if I was in a hurry to get to the island, but I am extremely ravenous and it makes me get angry for no reason.

"So how long more Jamal"

"Not long" He replied.

Few minutes later we took a turn to the left, we hadn't taken any turn since we started the journey.

"Here we are" Jamal uttered

The lobby looks so beautiful, there is a water fountain right in the middle of it making a loud cascading sound, I was so tempted to take a picture of it but I didn't want Jamal thinking I haven't seen a water fountain before.

Jamal parked the car in front of the lobby entrance, one of the concierge came outside with a gold chrome luggage trolley cart

"Welcome to Reethi Faru"

"Limah wake up we are here" tapping her on the cheek,

"Stop playing" she said with a yawn as she sat upright. We both got out of the car.

"Come on in reception is this way" Jamal said as he led the way.

"Good day madams, welcome to Reethi Faru resort" said the receptionist

"Thank you, you are so beautiful" Limah replied

I immediately scrolled through my phone, turned my phone screen to her to show her the booking number before Limah start getting unnecessarily friendly.

"Pls take a seat while we double check the suit. It won't take long, sorry for the inconvenience."

"No it's okay take your time pls" Limah replied shining her teeth.

I didn't mind waiting because I loved the settings of the lobby, looks amazing, they must have gotten one hell of a interior decorator. There were some teenagers dancing almost at the entrance of the lobby, they caught my attention so even though the receptionist hadn't told us to wait a while I would have still stayed to watch them dance, they were in their cultural attire and definitely dancing their cultural dance, they danced so well, I didn't know when I joined them, I was watching their dance steps and repeating the same thing, almost fell down, they looked very happy to see me dance with them, it also caught the attention of everyone in the lobby, they brought out their phone and started to make video of us, I was really enjoying myself before I heard my name

"Dina!"

That voice sounds familiar so I decided to ignore but Limah won't give up

"Dina!" She screamed my name again, I had no choice other than to concur this time.

"What Limah"

"Our buggy ride is here"

"I'm coming" I screamed back at her

She knew I wouldn't come,she came and pulled me. We got into our ride, our luggages were already in the buggy. Our ride on the buggy was adventurous,the buggy driver gave us a tour of the resort , the resort is so beautiful, it is painted all white, every room has a pool which is facing the ocean, at this point we were regretting whey we didn't come here earlier.

"Here we are" our buggy driver said

We both jumped out of the ride in excitement, used the card to open the door "wow" I uttered, the interior is even more beautiful, there were double queen sized bed in the room, I am just happy I don't have to share bed with Limah. There is a sliding glass door just few feet away from the bedroom that leads to the pool and then the beautiful view of the ocean, it was all I dreamt of, I kinda wished I had come here with the love of my life instead, well Limah is still the love of my life.

"Dina I am calling us a ride so we can go grab some food"

"Go ahead Limah I will join you"

"Come on Dee I know you want to jump in the pool but that can wait pls let's go eat"

"Babes you go ahead I won't take long"

The buggy ride arrived at our door and Limah was off to eat, meanwhile I couldn't wait to show the world on Instagram the beautiful view of the ocean. I quickly grabbed my box, took out my swimming suit, put it on,head to the bathroom, took a quick shower and hopped in the pool, i have been learning how to swim for years now but all to no avail, so whenever I am in the pool I just walk around the pool, took pictures and videos and tried going on live on Instagram but there was no connection

"I'll just go to the lobby later and complain" said to myself

I could see the the white sand at the bottom of the ocean, "it's not deep" so I thought before I jumped into the ocean. I could feel my leg had hit something which made me trip, at this point I was struggling, the ocean was quite deep and I really wished I hadn't entered, but my anxiety to post on Instagram has gotten the best part of me , neglecting the reality that I don't know how to swim, I was struggling to get out of the ocean, screaming for help but at this point I had drowned and lost consciousness.