Page 39 - You Only Live Once [BooksLD]

Have you ever heard the phrase lull before the storm ? What kind of
storm could be on its way?

‘How would you describe the spirit of Palolem? What brings all the
guests together?’
‘As you can see, the entire coastline is dotted with multiple shacks. After
all the good food we serve and the allure of the sea, music is what brings

our guests together. During evenings, the entire beach is lit up with
beautiful candles that are tactfully placed on the tables arranged right at the
beach next to the Arabian Sea. Every weekend, we have live music
performances and stand-up comedy acts.’

‘What is the most special thing about Goa?’ she continues in a hurry. It
seems as if the sunrise and sunset are the two most important timings for
them.
‘When you land here, you experience freedom and peace as you never

would have before. After touring around the world for 20 years, I came to
settle three years back in this one place I could call home. I was born and
raised in Goa. You would think, why is he trying to be cool? Old fellas
always retire to their hometowns. While a lot of people dream of owning a
beach shack when they retire, I finally do have one. I named it after myself

as I haven’t met a better person than me, ever. Okay, I’m not that self-
consumed, it is only a joke!’ I slip into a broken laughter and continue,
‘But, to be honest, it was not always the plan. Exactly 23 years ago, I left
Goa believing in my heart that this is one place I would never return to.’
I was young, heartbroken, and lost! The only love of my life, Elisha, had

left the country with a rich and successful businessman. She probably
married and settled down with him in Europe. I never kept contact, and a
year later I heard in the media that she had died.

I could never even tell her how much I love her. Oops! ‘Loved’ her.
Maybe, ‘love’ her is correct. I don’t know. Maybe I did tell her as much
in bits and pieces but she never reciprocated. That’s the worst part of life.
You can’t make someone who doesn’t love you, love you!

As I answer my guests, I realize that much has changed in these past
years. The sea is almost the same, but the coastline feels different now and
then. Back in those days, on weekends, Elisha would sing and I would play
the drums at the famous The Hippie Trails Cafe.