Sunrise and Serendipity

Just then, the sun began to rise, and the early morning rays illuminated the figure standing before us. It was none other than the handsome Korean guy.

My friends and I sighed in relief. Despite the ungodly hour, he still looked as ethereal as a god. The sunrise's light rays danced in his favor, adding an almost inhuman beauty to him. Last night, he looked like a K-pop idol in his black leather jacket; now, he looked like boyfriend material in his casual attire. He wore a simple white t-shirt that hugged his frame just right, a pair of jeans that made him look effortlessly cool, and a black hoodie jacket which added to his striking looks.

For some strange reason, I felt very safe and peaceful. It was as if his presence alone could ward off any danger. "Maybe he might be the one," I thought to myself. Despite being very unsociable and shy, I decided to start a conversation with him. I had to take my chance. I slowly moved towards him, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"I never really thanked you for your help yesterday. I just wanted to say thank you very much," I said, my voice trembling slightly.

"You're welcome. You seemed pretty startled yesterday. I hope you're feeling better now," he replied, his eyes filled with concern.

"Yes, I am. Thanks for your concern," I responded, feeling a warmth spread through me at his kindness.

"Anyway, what brings you to the beach at this hour?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I couldn't sleep much, so I decided to step out for some fresh air and watch the sunrise. What brings you and your friends here?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Same thing, we couldn't sleep either," I replied.

Suddenly, I felt a strong chill. Not because of the chilly air, but because of his presence. He saw me shivering and quickly took off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders to prevent me from catching a cold. Unbeknownst to him, I felt chilly because of him and not the cold morning air.

My friends stood in awe of what was happening. I barely talked to people, and now I was conversing with a guy. They looked at each other with happiness, like proud parents.

The sunrise was so beautiful. It added to the beauty of the beach. It was the most stunning scenery I had ever witnessed. My friends and I took pictures, capturing the awe-inspiring moment. He then sat by the beach, dipping his feet in the ocean, feeling the water and the breeze.

I sat just a few meters away and watched him. He looked so peaceful and content. A sudden curiosity about him welled up inside me. I wanted to know more about him—his name, age, education, likes and dislikes, favorite things, everything about him.

As the day began to break and the sky became brighter, the ocean turned clear and sparkling. I sat there by the beach, enjoying the serenity and peace. I turned and saw my friends also enjoying it. The sound of the waves and the cries of the seagulls filled the air, making me feel at ease. We sat there for about thirty minutes enjoying the serenity and the scenery.

"I wish I could stay here forever," I said, my voice filled with longing.

"Me too," responded Kira and Rachel in unison.

Immediately, he got up to leave. I stood up too, feeling a pang of disappointment.

"Are you leaving?" I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.

"Yes, I have something to do," he replied.

"Oh, okay," I said, unable to keep the disappointment out of my voice.

"I never really got your names. I'm Daniel, but you can call me Dan. What are your names?" he asked, looking at me and my friends.

"I'm Sasha, and these are Kira and Rachel," I replied.

"It's so nice to meet you all," he said with a warm smile.

"Likewise," Kira replied, her eyes sparkling with interest.

"Would you like to hang out with us for dinner later?" Rachel asked, her tone hopeful. "It can serve as a repayment for yesterday if you don't mind," she continued.

"Sure thing. Do you mind if my friends join me?" he asked politely.

"I see no harm in that," I replied, my heart fluttering with excitement.

"So how about at 6 at Ithaa?" he asked, his smile growing wider.

"6 is perfect."

"See you later," I responded.

"Your jacket!" I called out to him as he was already leaving.

"You can return it later," he replied, smiling sweetly as he walked away.

My friends and I giggled in excitement. The day was already moving in our favor. We hoped it would be better than yesterday. We left the beach and headed back to our bungalow to prepare for our next tour.

As we walked back, the warmth of Dan's jacket lingered around me, the fabric carrying a faint scent of his cologne—a mix of citrus and cedarwood that was both invigorating and comforting. My friends were buzzing with excitement, their voices overlapping in a symphony of anticipation.

"Can you believe it? Dinner with that gorgeous guy and his friends!" Kira exclaimed, her eyes twinkling with excitement.

"I know! This vacation keeps getting better and better," Rachel added, her steps bouncing with each word.

I couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. My heart was still racing from the encounter. I clutched the jacket closer, feeling its warmth seep into my skin. Thoughts of Dan filled my mind. The way his eyes had softened with concern when he spoke to me, the gentle curve of his smile, and the effortless grace with which he moved.

Back at our bungalow, the mood was electric. We hurriedly showered and changed into fresh clothes, the anticipation of the day's events spurring us on. Kira and Rachel were already planning outfits for dinner, debating the merits of different dresses and accessories.