Chapter 18

Ziya

"I... I just think that you're for me to see. Only for me." He bit his lip before he continued. "Is that strange? That I don't want other men to see you, I mean. I don't think it's that strange. But you should know yourself."

"Of course, I'll put clothes on. I was already planning on doing that, just to be sure."

Max smiled in relief.

"Are you a jealous type?" I asked as we filled the water bottles, kneeling before the lake.

"I never was. But with you? I don't know. Maybe..." He shook his head while smiling. "You're doing things to me, Zi. I already told you." He then looked at me so passionately, gazing through those long black eyelashes.

I felt so special.

It again made me think of how special this place actually was. If the ship would rescue us today we would never spend another night in our cave or swim in our lake. That was a weird feeling. Somehow, even a sad feeling. I was sure Max felt the same, as it was suddenly so quiet between us.

"You're thinking about it too, aren't you? How sad it is, in some way, if we leave this place today."

"Yeah, I was thinking about that. I've already explained how I feel about going back home and my feelings haven't changed."

I grabbed his face and muzzled my nose against his. "We'll figure it out. That's what I said, and my feelings about that haven't changed either."

He nodded and kissed my forehead. "Let's check up on the ship." Max stood up. "Come with me, mademoiselle Ziya," he said with a French accent while offering me his hand. It honestly was pretty sexy.

"Oui," I replied, grabbing his hand in mine. "Aaaand that's about all the French words I know."

He laughed, pulling me with him as we started walking. It felt weird to be dressed again.

"How about je-t'aime?" he softly asked, looking at me briefly.

I knew very well what je-t'aime meant. "I... know what that means, yes."

I love you.

"Good," he replied. He said nothing more, just 'good'. I didn't know how to take it. Was he joking? Was he serious? Was he trying to say the three big words but thought it was safer to say them in another language? I truly didn't know. Still, I couldn't help but smile behind his back as I let him guide me through the green trees and bushes of the island, perhaps for the very last time.

~

"It's definitely closer, isn't it?" I asked, running towards the ocean, my heart pounding behind my breast. It really was a lot bigger, I could clearly see it, but I needed Max's confirmation.

"It is," he replied. "It's heading our way. No question about that. They've seen the flares and maybe the S. O. S sign too."

Oh my God, this was it. We were going to be saved soon! We were going home!

YES to sleeping in a bed, taking a shower, eating chocolate, drinking wine, my phone, using a fucking tampon when my period would hit me instead of leaves! Hooray! No more sleeping on the floor, sand up my bum, and water. No more fish, oysters, and coconuts! No more--

No more Max and Ziya fighting alone to survive... Just us, together. Nobody else.

I felt a lump forming in my throat and grabbed his hand. He immediately pulled me for a hug which I eagerly accepted.

After almost two weeks stranded on a deserted island, we were going home, and it was the strangest feeling.

MAX

Ziya and I stood in front of the large clear glass. Together, we watched out of the window, seeing the island, our island, getting smaller and smaller until it disappeared and only turquoise blue remained.

It was a cruise ship that had seen the bright pink flares in the sky. And right now, we stood in front of a large window inside a cabin that looked very similar to the one I had on the cruise ship that had started this whole adventure. When we climbed on deck a few hours ago, the whole thing was quite the spectacle. Everyone photographed us; the guests stood upon deck too, flashing their mobile phones. I was so fucking happy we’d saved some clothes and put them on. Especially since we would probably be all over Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in a few hours as the “two survivors”.

The staff immediately quarantined us. We then got checked by the medical staff straight away, who examined if we didn’t suffer from dehydration and all of that. It was the usual procedure, and I got it. It was just a lot for people who had been on their own for two weeks. The room was nice, though, and the staff was really caring and sweet.

Thank God we could stay together. I was so happy about that. Ziya had been very emotional, especially after she’d called her parents.

I’d made a phone call as well, and my poor mother cried with joy when she heard my voice. However, since they rescued us, I felt so... off. It was hard to explain. It was like I knew we would get to this point someday because I’d always kept faith we would be found one day, but now that day had come and it felt strange.

I loved my family, I really did, yet… While talking to my mom, I couldn’t help but also secretly wish that I could have stayed with Ziya on that island a little longer. “Oh, my little baby is safe, my little boy. My baby!” That’s what my mom had yelled before she was crying so hard she had no breath to speak another word. And here I was, wishing I could have stayed missing another week more. I truly was a fucking asshole. And the worst son ever.

Ziya sniffed and laid her head on top of my shoulder. ”It’s really gone now. Out of sight,” she said as we gazed at the broad shimmering ocean.

“Hmm-hmm,” I hummed in reply, stroking my fingers through her hair. She sniffed once more and dried her tears. “How about a nice bath?” I asked. “You’ve been talking about that for weeks.” She nodded. “Okay, I’ll fill the bath for you. You lie down till it’s ready.”

“Thanks, Max. Ugh, my head hurts from all this crying. And I’m having early period cramps, too.” She sighed. “I’ve already taken painkillers.”

I grabbed her shoulders and walked with her to the bed, where I gently pushed her down, so she took a seat. “Wait here. Lie down. Try to relax.”

I headed to the bathroom, opened the tap, and inspected the collection of mini bath oils. “Do you want lemon, lavender, or vanilla?” I asked. There was also a bottle of coconut-scented oil, but I deliberately didn’t tell her, thinking she must be done with coconuts. At least for a while. I knew I felt that way! I smiled, thinking how coconuts and bananas would never be the same again.

“I want vanilla,” she answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~