Page 106 - You Only Live Once [BooksLD]

Europeans later on. After a few minutes, we reach a point where he has no
more stories to share and he keeps rowing silently.

I close my eyes and start registering all the details in my head, like a true
stand-up comedian. I keep having such conversations to bring real stories to
life on stage, sometimes I overhear conversations in cafes too. A cold
breeze flows from the other side of the ocean.

I soak in Alara’s beauty along with the dolphins, aquatic vegetation, the
crystal emerald coloured water, and above all the Goans, who are so pure at
heart. The beauty that I take in now reflects in my eyes. The next time any
one of you meets me, you will see that in my eyes - the gates to my heart;
and I would be absolutely delighted to share it through conversations about

Goa. Believe me, you’ll find the beauty in your eyes too. All I would ask
you is - share this with anyone you meet, so the beauty of Goa lives on in
our hearts forever.
He stops near the shore of the Canacona Island. This place looks like a
landmass that has cut itself apart from the rest of the Palolem Beach. It

might have been a part of it for a very long time but has turned out to be a
different place altogether over due course of time. The waves continually
make the rocks on its side slide back into the ocean. Uncle Ricky often
mentions this place to me. Today, I want Alara to see the place her mother
loved so much. I expect she will love it too.

‘The beauty of this place is one of its kind.’ I break the long silence
between us.
‘Irreplaceable. I can understand why mom loved it so much.’

‘You know, the first step to every journey is to find oneself.’

‘Yes, absolutely. I am happy to see you following your passion finally!’
‘Alara,’ I scream as I pace towards the inviting ocean, right behind her. It
has been just a few days since I have known her, but everything about her,
including her voice, is etched on my brain permanently. I had not expected
her to come all the way to this place with me.

Is it something more than just following her mom’s trail that has brought
her here? The only way to find out is to ask her, but I can’t gather the
courage as of now.

She turns towards the direction of my voice. ‘Is everything okay?’ she
inquires.