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Through the Fire

By Antoinette Louise Kloppers Antoinette

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2016
Chapter One
A ticket for one. It took guts to do it alone, but she wanted it badly enough, so here she was, ready to get on the connecting flight to Athens.
Trying to suppress the silly grin on her face, Anna approached the check-in counter. She had never been overseas. She had been dreaming about this holiday for so long and the day has finally arrived. It took forever, but she had saved enough money and booked a two-week trip to the Greek Islands. Her hands shook with excitement as she handed her passport to the ground hostess. She could almost smell the ocean and feel the sun on her skin.
The hostess frowned at her computer screen, then looked up at Anna. “I am sorry, Miss Bauman, but your flight booking was never confirmed,” she said and handed Anna’s passport back with a polite smile.
“What? There must be some mistake? Please check again?” Anna frowned, confused.
“I already checked twice, Miss. Your travel agent must have forgotten to confirm the booking. Unfortunately, we can’t reserve a seat now, because this flight is overbooked.”
Anna stood there, flabbergasted. “What on earth am I supposed to do now?”
A young lady came rushing to the counter. She frantically slapped her ticket and passport on the counter. “Hi! I’m late, I know, I’m sorry, but I’m supposed to catch the connecting flight to Athens?”
She glanced at Anna.
The hostess was clearly getting exasperated but kept her composure. “I am sorry, Miss. This flight was overbooked, and your seat has been given to someone else who managed to check in on time.”
“What? No, no, no! Please, check again. My name is Zoe Adamos. I’m on my way home. I was just a little late,” she pleaded in a heavy Greek accent.
The hostess sighed and clenched her jaw. Her fingers started flying over the keyboard as she stared at the monitor. “There... I have put you both on a different flight to Athens, via Frankfurt. The gate for this flight will open in an hour,” she said, printed two tickets and handed them over. Her stern look, with one raised eyebrow warned them not to put up a fight, so they quietly took their new tickets and went to join the queue at the new airline’s check-in counter.

***

Anna made friends with Zoe while they checked their baggage and waited for the boarding gate to open. They were seated together in the plane, and after they stowed away their overhead luggage Anna took out her cell phone.
“I just want to let my family know I’m okay and we’re on our way,” said Anna and she quickly finished the short text message before switching the phone off.
“So, where are you staying in Athens, Anna?” asked Zoe after the plane took off and they had settled in for the flight to Frankfurt.
“At the Hermes Hotel. Our tour will kick off from there,” Anna answered and looked at Zoe questioningly. “Do you perhaps know where that is? It would be a lot less scary if you could show me how to get there.”
“Yes, I know where it is. Of course, I will help you!” she smiled warmly, and Anna gave a sigh of relief. Everything was going to be alright.

***

Anna wiped the sweat off her face, wishing she had worn fewer layers.
‘Thanks, Zoe. I would not have managed on my own.” Anna gave Zoe a hug and she waved her goodbye.
“Hi, my name is Anna Bauman. I have a booking.” Anna pulled out her passport and handed it to the friendly receptionist. The Hotel lobby was beautiful, and Anna had a few moments to look around at the cool, sparkling tiles and the lush plants.
“Your key, Miss Bauman.” The receptionist handed her the key, and a porter whisked her luggage onto a trolley before she knew it. Once in her hotel room, she yanked off her jacket, and sighed with relief as she threw it on a colourful armchair. Bushed, she sank down on the edge of the bed, breathing in the moment and inspecting her room. After unpacking some essentials, she slipped out of her clammy clothes and stepped into a cool shower. By the time she was dressed in a comfortable top and shorts, the food she had ordered arrived. She munched on the delicious tomato and cold meat sandwich, while sitting on the balcony overlooking the city.
Not yet confident enough to go and explore this city, she picked up a remote control, stretched out on her bed and flipped through the foreign channels on the television until she found an English movie to watch.
Anna fell asleep with her windows wide open, lulled by strange yet comforting sounds, and a pleasant, cool breeze floating over her.
The next morning, Anna woke up refreshed and ready for the tour. She caught herself smiling as she closed the shower faucet, patted herself dry, threw a bright, strapless summer dress over her head and added a touch of lip gloss. She then quickly packed away her luggage to make room for her roommate, who was bound to arrive this morning. She shot a glance at her watch. “Almost nine,” she said excitedly as she pulled the door closed behind her. “Just in time for a good breakfast!” The tour would start around 10:00 in the breakfast area.

***

“Good morning, everybody. My name is Nate, and I will be your tour guide. I hope you all had a great flight. Let’s check everybody in and then meet in the lobby in two hours.”
Anna approached the group slightly cautious, falling in line at a registration table.
“Hi, I’m Anna Bauman,” she smiled shyly at him and gave her room number.
“Oh, wonderful. Your checked in yesterday. Nikki is already here; she’ll be your roommate.” He pointed at a young lady with a colourful dress, bright pink sandals and even brighter pink lips. Anna couldn’t help but smile at the explosion of colour.
Now this feels like a Greek-island holiday!
Nikki came straight over and gave an astounded Anna a French-style cheek-to-cheek kiss. “So delighted to meet you, Anna!” Nikki beamed, took Anna by the shoulders and inspected her unashamedly. “What a beauty you are!”
As they found their way back to the room, Anna couldn’t get a word in edgewise. She just stared at Nikki, laughing when she laughed, squinting as she attempted to decipher the fascinating stories Nikki told with her heavy English accent. Those she could comprehend were hilarious and the pair hit it off from the get-go.
During the first two days of the tour, they visited and explored everything there was to see in Athens, going to all the ancient sites, exploring the treasures it had to offer. The evenings were spent strolling through the night markets and indulging in dinners with boisterous Greek dancing for entertainment. Although initially slightly upsetting to Anna, breaking dinner plates fast became one of the highlights of the tour.
Anna has never experienced anything like this before. She swiftly picked up on some Greek phrases and loved the sound of the foreign words on her tongue as she tried them out, to the delight of their hosts.

***

“Nikki, wake up!” Anna shook the English girl’s shoulder and laughed when Nikki finally groaned and squinted at Anna through puffy eyes. “We’re leaving in two hours and we still need to get breakfast! Get up and take a quick shower.” The previous night had been their last in Athens and it was a good one. Two friends from the Philippines accompanied Anna and Nikki to one of the many lively restaurants, where they stayed until very late.
“C’mon, Nikki! Up!” They were leaving for Santorini today and this would be their first island excursion.
One that would change Anna’s life.

***

Anna groaned with the movement of the ship, trying to hold on to the railing. Most of her fellow tourists enjoyed the cruise, but for some, like Anna, it was a hair-raising eight hours of trying to keep whatever food was in her stomach to stay put. Nikki’s headache lifted and she managed to snooze the first few hours in one of the cabins booked for them, catching up on the sleep she’d missed the previous night.
Finally! Anna thought as the Island of Santorini came into view. Her spirits lifted with the sight unfolding before her eyes.
Relieved when the ship docked in the harbour and with legs still wobbly, Anna and Nikki disembarked with their group. Their luggage was transferred to a bus while they stood and appreciated the firm earth beneath their feet.
“Everybody on the bus, please!” Nate called, and they bundled in. The bus took them up a winding road to the top of the island. Anna grabbed on to the seat in front of her as the bus leaned and swayed around the bends and corners, but then she saw the breath-taking view.
Forgotten was the seasickness on the ferry and the dangerous curves of the road. The chit-chatting around her faded away as she drank in the ocean view, sighed deeply and knew she would never be the same again.

***

Anna truly felt like she was on holiday.
The bus came to a stop next to the Hotel Zorbas, where they would be spending the next couple of days, before continuing with the rest of the tour.
The hotel was painted brilliant white, with stone-built walls, as the rest of Greece. Nate checked them in and handed them their room keys. “Be ready in two hours, please, ladies and gents! We’ll be spending some time in town tonight,” he announced with a note of promise.
The room felt comfortably cool, and as Anna and Nikki opened their patio door, they were met with the glorious sight of a sparkling blue swimming pool and a true island-style bar. Deck chairs laced the pool and Anna imagined relaxing on one of those chairs, with an ice-cold drink in her hand. After they quickly unpacked their luggage and zipped through a shower, they decided to do exactly that.

***

The town of Thira was alive with the scents of sunshine, vibrant colours, fresh foods, strange languages and relaxed atmosphere. There were bursts of laughter all around them and in that moment, Anna felt the happiest she had ever been, simply by being there. She caught the aromas of fish being grilled with fresh rosemary and garlic and felt her mouth water. They enjoyed a late lunch at one of the cafés, which offered every Greek dish imaginable.
Nikki, what are you having?” Anna asked, not sure which dish to try. They both decided on the Shawarma.
When their plates arrived, Anna’s mouth started watering from the wonderful smell of the lamb. Her first bite would prove to be life altering.
“Oh my word!” Nikki tried to speak between the bites. Anna laughed and agreed. tried her first-ever Shawarma and thought she would never eat anything else again.
She bought a broad-brimmed hat from one of the street markets as protection against the Mediterranean sun. She had enough freckles and didn’t fancy any more. A light wind stirred as the group continued to visited street markets and tasted Baklava.
The nightlife was buzzing with tourists and locals, and joyous Greek music filled the holiday air. They were staying for five nights and on the third night the group had a free evening. Some of them planned to go out to town again, but Anna decided to stay at the hotel. It was warm enough to swim until late.
“Anna, are you going to join them or stay here?” Nikki asked. They had spent the day at the historic ruins and visited the museum. Anna was clutching her diary, hoping to for a few moments to write down the last few days’ adventures. They’d been too busy for her to keep it up daily, as she had intended when she bought it.
“No, I’m done for the day, Nikki, thanks! But you go and have fun!”
Nikki exaggerated a sigh. “Oh, thank goodness! I would rather stay here with you. I need at least some rest.” With that they opened the room service menu, and phoned forin their order, asking for it to be served outside where they planned on lounging by the pool.
“Anna, the food will be out by the bar in 20 minutes.” Just enough time for Nikki to get dressed and Anna to catch up on her diary.
Another group had booked into the same hotel earlier that day, and some of them joined the ladies at the pool, starting up casual conversations. The sun was about to set, and it was a peaceful evening.
Anna and Nikki ate while enjoying the sunset.decided to have their supper out by the bar area before getting into the pool. The food was great, tThey moved over to the pool, chattinged about the day, legs dangling in the water. Nikki was her chatty self, bouncing from one topic to another.
“Rupert!” Nikki suddenly shouted, interrupting herself. “There’s Rupert, he’s a friend of mine from England!” she exclaimed happily and got up to go and chat to him. Anna got comfortable next to the pool. She took off her hat, lifted her arms and slipped into the water.
When she came up for air, she noticed a man looking at her. Anna quickly turned her head away, as if caught with her hand in the cookie jar. She swam aimlessly for a while and then returned to where her towel lay and pushed herself out of the water. Just as she reached for her towel, the man lowered himself down and took a seat next to her. She knew it was the guy she had locked eyes with a couple of minutes ago, but Anna was too shy to look at his face.
He held his hand out to her. Anna finally looked up into the greenest eyes she had ever seen.
“Hi, I’m Sam. MacMillan… What’s your name?”
“Hi… Anna Bauman,” she said and extended her hand as well.
“Pleased to meet you.” Looking into his eyes was another first for Anna. To her horror, her cheeks caught fire and it had nothing to do with the Mediterranean sun. She had only been in one relationship before and suddenly regretted her inexperience. Sam held on to her hand for longer than she’d expected and then smiled slowly when the hue of her cheeks intensified. He was mature, relaxed, tall and tanned and his shoulders were broad… it looked like a girl would be safe in those arms.
Indeed noticeable. She tried to guess his age. He was probably a couple of years older than her twenty-five.
“So, where are you from? I don’t recognise your accent?” he asked, clearly intrigued.
“South Africa,” she said, her voice thin. She cleared her throat.
“Wow! I have never met a South African before! I’m all the way from California, in the US of A…” he said and laughed. “You’re gonna have to tell me all about it!” Sam sounded genuinely interested, but she had a feeling he could sense her shyness, so he launched into a story about his flight to Europe. He was easy-going and talked most of the time, while Anna clumsily answered some of his questions, feeling awkwardly inexperienced in the art of flirting with a man this overwhelmingly attractive.
But she already liked him for not holding it against her, and a few stuttering sentences later she began to relax, and the conversation started to flow. She even broke a genuine smile when he teased her about her nauseating boat trip to the island.
They spent the evening together, oblivious to the other tourists at the pool. There were moments when neither of them uttered a word, while they just kept sneaking looks at each other. Forgotten were Nikki and Sam’s friends. They lived half a globe apart, but distance was far from their minds.
“I should probably go, it’s getting very late,” said Anna when she noticed that they were the only people left at the pool.
Sam glanced at his watch. “Whoa, we’ve been chatting for almost six hours!” He got up, pulled her up and held on to her hand. “Okay, then, let me walk you to your room.” They both laughed as her room was but twenty steps away, but he did so anyway, and before she went in, Sam bent down and kissed her cheek. Her heart jolted.
“Anna, can I see you tomorrow?” The way he said her name, weakened her knees, and she just nodded. With that he turned around, slowly letting go of her hand.

***

“Do you think last night was the real thing, Nikki? Do you think I imagined it all?” Anna asked as they got ready for breakfast.
“What? The way the two of you were staring at each other the entire time?” Nikki scoffed and smacked her bright lips to even out the freshly applied lipstick. The two looked at each other and giggled. Anna sprayed her favourite perfume on her neck, thinking of Sam, nervous and excited. They grabbed their bags and hats and left the room.
When they entered the breakfast area, they scanned the room. Nikki saw him first. “And there he is… waiting for you. Like a puppy…” teased Nikki and pushed Anna toward Sam’s table.
He got up and gallantly pulled out her chair. She smiled nervously and sat down. It was a bit of a gamble, as things tend to look different in the morning, but Anna was not disappointed. His eyes betrayed his feelings, and he reached for her hand.

***

“Nate, uh, I’m going to spend the day with my friend from the other group, if that’s okay?” Anna blushed and grinned sheepishly at the tour guide.
Nate gave a silly smile, one eyebrow lifted. “Not a problem at all, dear Anna. Enjoy your day together. They’re leaving in the morning, aren’t they?”
“Yes… unfortunately,” sighed Anna.
“Just remember, we’re doing the sunset tour this evening. It’s the highlight of the tour and not to be missed. I understand your friend’s tour group will be joining us as well,” Nate said and winked at her.
“We’ll be there! Thanks, Nate.” Anna smiled and went to find Sam, who had also excused himself from his group.
“You ready?” he asked, grabbed her hand and led her out to the street.

***

While they walked into town, Sam’s fingers kept brushing over her hand, leaving a trail of goose bumps, and every time she looked up at him, she felt like the most important person in the world.
“Can we have lunch here?” Sam asked when they passed a little pizzeria. They have been spending time walking around town and looking at what else the market had to offer. Anna’s stomach growled when she smelled warm garlic bread and agreed. They sat at the edge of the restaurant, overlooking the blue and white houses and the deep blue sea.
The view was breath taking.

***

Anna pushed her empty plate away to make space for her elbows. “Oh, I’m so full,” she smiled contentedly. “The food was wonderful! What time is it?”
“Almost three,” Sam sighed. “Do you want to head back?”
“Yeah, I want to rest a little before tonight’s sunset excursion,” she said and retrieved her lip gloss to touch up her lips. She saw Sam looking at her mouth and her cheeks warmed again. She turned her gaze to the ocean, not knowing what to do.
Sam stood up, circled the table, leaned down and kissed her unexpectedly.
Anna drew a sharp breath. “So, you’re leaving tomorrow?” she blurted out, not knowing what else to say, unsuccessfully trying to hide her emotions.
Sam seemed at a loss for words and avoided her eyes when they left the café. Anna’s heart sank. As they walked back to the hotel, Sam kept his hands shoved deep into his pockets and Anna couldn’t help but notice the awkward silence that descended between them.
Back at the hotel, they went their separate ways with a simple wave of the hand and a quick “bye” and Anna could kick herself for saying something so stupid.
“How was your day? I bet it was amazing!” Nikki was so excited that she practically sang the last word of her sentence. Anna sighed and told Nikki what had happened. Nikki frowned as she listened.
“I cannot believe I said that to him, Nikki. Right after he kissed me. He must think I don’t care, or that I am a prude or expect something from him.” Anna was about to cry. There was no way she would be able to rest now before the sunset trip.
“Wait, what? You snogged? O, he did not waste any time.” Nikki ignored the dreadful look on Anna’s face.
“Nikki, I think I’ve ruined everything with my comment. I didn’t know what to do. He just kissed me, and then those words just came out.”
“Bollocks. If he really likes you, that comment will not put him off! But
“Anna, I know you like him, in fact, I think you might feel like you are in love with him, but we are on an island in the middle of the ocean and their group is leaving tomorrow… so you might be caught up in the whole summer romance thing. Who doesn’t want to fall in love in a place like this and feel like it’s real?”
Anna could only stare at Nikki. Nikki’s words felt like a jab into her heart. She did not want to hear it. Nikki gabbled on about the evening ahead and made no further mention about what transpired between Anna and Sam.

***

Despite the heat, Anna shivered and turned up the temperature of the shower. The water failed to soothe her nerves. As she got dressed for the evening, her hands trembled slightly. Maybe Sam was not going anymore. Or maybe he would ignore me!
By the time the bus arrived to pick them up, Nikki had to practically force Anna downstairs and onto the bus. Neither Sam nor his group were anywhere to be seen. Every group had their own transport, so Anna had no idea whether she would see him again or not.
In true Greek style, their tour guide took crafts of Athiri with and Anna swigged a generous dose of the white wine on the bus to calm her nerves.
The sunset tour was one of the highlights of the trip for good reason. In that moment, as Anna stepped off the bus, the sight took her breath away and she inhaled the salty air deeply.
If Sam wanted to come, he would be here. She knew she sounded braver in her thoughts than how she actually felt. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath, trying to take it all in.
The last slice of the sun hovered over the horizon and there were no better photo opportunities than right then. The ocean was illuminated by the last rays, which changed the day’s colours from bright blue to a soft, pink orange, and the ocean into shades of green. Anna was mesmerized. She loved art and knew in that moment that no artist could accurately capture the sight in front of them.
It was a merry gathering of tourists and the atmosphere was incredible. They made their way to a spot where they could take pictures and Anna leaned over the edge of the wall surrounding the lookout. Nikki was snapping pictures of everything and everyone. People were laughing and enjoying their wine and food from pretty picnic baskets, generously prepared by the hotel.
Anna felt a hand on her back and turned around smiling, thinking Nikki was trying to get her attention for the umpteenth photo.
It was Sam.
Her heart jumped into her throat and she could only stare at him. He smiled, looking down at her, questions swimming in his eyes.
“Your comment took me a bit by surprise,” he started softly. “I’m sorry for my reaction.” His voice was trembling. He brushed his fingers through his hair in an attempt to appear in control. “I would really like to kiss you again, so, if you could try not to break my heart by saying the first thing that comes to mind, here goes.”
There was that smile in his voice again. Sam lowered his face and waited. Anna could only stare, her lips parting slightly in awe and expectation. His eyes moved to her mouth. As he leaned down to kiss her for the second time that day, she also leaned in. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her as if their future depended on it. Anna wrapped her arms around his neck and did not want to let go. Ever.
Some of their friends nearby erupted in applause and others whistled, cheering them on. Sam started laughing and she put her head on his chest. He smelled like heaven. His laughter was contagious, and Anna couldn’t help but join him.
Everybody enjoyed the sunset and the festivities and later headed to town to enjoy the rest of the evening. Anna and Sam sneaked kisses throughout the night until they arrived back at the hotel.

***

“I don’t want this moment to end,” sighed Sam, before kissing her one last time. Anna knew their last moments together had arrived and her heart felt like a rock in her chest.
“Neither do I,” Anna whispered as she grudgingly turned to leave when Nate cleared his throat behind them. Like a father, he hung back to make sure this was where the evening ended for them.

***

Once back in her room, Anna picked up her diary and wrote down her thoughts. “I think I am head-over-heels about this guy. When will I ever see him again? I wonder.” She went quiet. Anna wrote down everything. She didn’t want to forget a single moment spent with him.
She might never see him again.
Anna tossed and turned for a good while before finally drifting off, dreaming of the man with the green eyes…

***

Anna startled awake. The sun felt higher than it should, and she grabbed her watch from the bedside table. Too late! She fell back into the messy blankets and covered her head in frustration. Sam’s bus had already left.
She wouldn’t see him one last time.
She slowly sat up against the pillows, thinking about the last three days. Her life has changed forever. She knew that, but how, only time would tell.

***

On their way to breakfast, the receptionist called Anna over and gave her an envelope. It was from Sam. She opened it with trembling fingers and frowned when she saw the money. Sam had left her a two-dollar bill with his name and number, confirming his promise to phone her. She smiled and gave a twirl, believing that she would see him again. Someday.
Oh, gosh! she thought and chuckled. I am smitten.
Anna’s group left for the next leg of their trip a day later, and the rest of the tour was wonderful, but bittersweet. Romance filled the air wherever she went, but her heart belonged to a guy from the “US of A”.

***

Anna deleted the sentence she was typing for a second time. She groaned. It had been a week, and she was starting to worry that she’d given Sam the wrong number. Maybe he’s not using the correct country code. She picked up the silent handset and sighed. She pulled her drawer open and stared at the two-dollar bill taunting her. She could phone him.
But she wouldn’t.
She shut the drawer.

***

A couple of weeks later, her fears were proven wrong. When she saw the international number on the caller ID, she knew it was him. Her heart pulsed in her throat, but two minutes later, all the time and space between them seemed to have melted away. The conversation was still as amazing as it had been when they were sitting next to each other at the pool in Santorini.
Sam spoke of plans to visit and promised her would contact her again.
Anna waited for weeks… but he never did.

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