There she is, emerging from the airport’s arrival zone.
My goodness, how much has she changed? Is she sick? Perhaps she’s lost 10 kg…
I sense a bit of stress in her about seeing me again. We had stayed in touch occasionally, and when I mentioned that I had a run-in with Thai immigration and instead of being in Thailand, I found myself in Lisbon, she simply replied, “Oh, you’re not far. My parents just left for two weeks. Come see me.”
Five months earlier: The sky is an immaculate blue, the lagoon azure. We meet for the second time. I’m behind her, the water is warm and not too deep, heading towards the sandbank beneath the water. I have a view of her back, golden out of the water. I touch her shoulder to playfully grab her attention and start talking. She turns around, her face quickly approaching mine. We kiss for the
first time; our bodies entwine. Everything seems to merge into one—the sky, the sea, us…
With Vero, a petite Spanish lady from Valencia, we share two weeks of happiness, nearly 24/7 together, as she comes to live with me directly in my small wooden thai house. No plans to see each other again; she still has her partner, or ex partner in her heart. She talks to me about polyamory…
As she had planned, she leaves Koh Phangan, the Thai island that was my base for years, giving me a melancholic feeling.
Vero unveils Valencia to me, and I relish meeting her again. We’ve had more unforgettable moments together. None of this was planned, and in my fury against Thai immigration, I find myself thanking them for giving me this unexpected opportunity.
Vero is a devoted vegan, hence the weight loss. I now love feeling her body even more, caressing her with my eyes, my hands, my skin…
But all good things come to an end. It’s time to part ways; her parents are arriving. I scramble to find an Airbnb for the last two nights.
There we go, I’ve got a ticket to Rio de Janeiro. This is going to be my first flight with Morocco Air! Let’s hope it’s as spicy as their cuisine!