A Day In Paradise

The Next Day

We got up as early as 5 AM, our excitement making it impossible to sleep any longer. The soft rays of the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, golden light across the room. The gentle sound of the waves crashing against the shore served as our natural alarm, urging us to rise and seize the day. We began our morning with a brief yoga session on the wooden deck of our overwater bungalow. The tranquility of the Maldives provided the perfect backdrop for our practice. The fresh ocean breeze filled our lungs as we stretched and moved through our poses, grounding ourselves for the adventures ahead.

After yoga, we took turns showering, the warm water washing away any remnants of sleep. We then indulged in our facial and skincare routines, laughing as we applied masks and serums. The room was filled with the calming scents of lavender and chamomile, enhancing the serene atmosphere. Our routine was interrupted by a cheerful knock on the door, signaling the arrival of the hotel staff with our breakfast tray. The tray was a feast for the eyes, laden with tropical fruits, freshly baked pastries, and a steaming pot of Maldivian tea. It was a delightful start to our day. We ordered two more trays for Kira and Rachel, who were equally impressed with the spread.

After breakfast, it was time to explore the Maldives. We put on our matching purple summerwear, the vibrant color reflecting our excitement. Kira, with her skilled hands, did our makeup, enhancing our natural beauty. She always helped us with our hair too, styling it in playful waves that complemented our outfits.

When we were ready, we left our bungalow, the sun now fully risen and shining brightly. Ms. Clarke, my tour guide from the airport, was waiting for us with a friendly smile and warm demeanor. She put us at ease as we began our tour around the Maldives.

We visited many enchanting places. We wandered through bustling markets, the air filled with the scent of exotic spices and the sounds of vendors calling out their wares. We tried local dishes, savoring the unique flavors that danced on our tongues. We bought delicate handcrafted jewelry and colorful scarves that would serve as reminders of our adventure.

We toured for hours until early evening, taking countless fun pictures to share with our families. Our hearts were full of the beauty of the day. Ms. Clarke informed us that the tour for the day was over and that by 7 PM we should head to Ithaa Undersea Restaurant for dinner. She added that the company would cover the expenses for my friends too, as I was allowed to bring them as part of my vacation prize. We were thrilled and grateful for the generosity.

We had a refreshing bath and dressed up for the evening. Rachel suggested we match dresses, so we all wore navy blue. Kira once again worked her magic with our makeup, and we all looked lovely. She also helped with our wigs, styling them to perfection.

When we were ready, we headed to Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. Ms. Clarke had made our reservation. As we descended into the restaurant, the underwater world came into view, and we were ushered to our table by a steward. The sight of the vibrant marine life swimming around us was mesmerizing. We were served the most scrumptious meal we had ever imagined, each dish more delectable than the last, accompanied by drinks of our choice.

I was busy enjoying the food when Rachel distracted me.

"He's still looking at you, Sasha," Kira added, her eyes twinkling with amusement. I turned again to see that the handsome guy was indeed still staring at me.

"He's not looking at me, he's probably looking at you, Rachel," I replied, feeling a twinge of self-consciousness. "Why would he even be looking at me? He's probably making fun of me or something," I added, trying to brush off the attention.

"Why would you think that? Babe, you are really pretty and especially tonight, so why wouldn't he?" Rachel said in a serious tone, her confidence in me unwavering.

"Yes, she's right, you are very beautiful," Kira agreed.

I often felt insecure about myself. Compared to Kira and Rachel, I thought I was the least attractive. Rachel's confidence and outspoken nature seemed to attract people easily, and Kira's sweet and girly demeanor made her grab guys' attention. I, on the other hand, was shy, introverted, and more or less a nerd.

Although my friends always told me I was beautiful, I thought they were just being nice. But today, Rachel and Kira seemed pretty serious about it. Their sincerity made me feel a little better about myself, even if just for the moment.

Even if I was pretty and he was looking at me, it wasn't my problem. I saw how sad Rachel was when her heart was broken by her cheater ex, and I didn't want to go through that. Handsome guys are always trouble, that's a certainty.

Finally, he looked away. He and his three friends seemed to be conversing in Korean. It wasn't really my business, so I focused on enjoying the evening with my friends.

Nearby, another set of guys, were having a discussion. They were speaking in Spanish and were definitely talking about us. I, Kira, and Rachel seemed to be the center of attention there.

"Haven't these guys seen a group of Black girls having fun," I thought to myself, feeling a mix of irritation and amusement.

At least the first set of guys were mannered; they just smiled and stared at us. This set, however, were pure sexists, talking about us like we were sluts or something. Unfortunately for them, I could understand what they were saying, and I was irritated.

I noticed that the guys in front of us were also disgusted by their behavior.

Then, one of the Spanish speaking guys stood up and came over to us. "So I noticed you ladies are here for vacation. It's cooped in here, and my guys and I were wondering if you would like to join us to get some fresh air. We could also head to Rangali Bar to have some fun, if you want?"

While he was talking garbage, I sent Kira and Rachel a message hinting that the guys were saying degrading things about us.

Seriously, these guys have no shame. After calling us degrading names, they had the audacity to ask us to join them at a bar. Who do they think we are?

Kira immediately replied, "Sorry, but this is a girls' night only."

We continued our night, having fun and giggling during dinner. The group of Spanish speakers seemed like trouble, so we waited for them to leave first. After about 10 minutes, when they had finally left, we decided to turn in for the day.

As we got out, we headed to the beach for a stroll, feeling full from our dinner. The moonlight reflected off the water, creating a magical, serene atmosphere. Unbeknownst to us, one of the guys from the group of Spanish speakers followed us.

I walked slowly along the beach, watching my friends scream, laugh, and run playfully. Their joy was infectious, and I felt my spirits lift with every peal of laughter. I felt so much content and peace just watching them have fun. Then, I felt like I was being watched.

I immediately texted my friends, but they were too busy to notice. The laughter and the sound of the waves drowned out the vibration of their phones.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my wrist. I immediately turned, my heart pounding in my chest…