Fatal
Assumptions
by Ian Curtress
He had forward booked into
the Akusara Jungle Resort Nasu, Penida Island and
immediately had a feeling of wellbeing almost
said Romantic.
Very replete, he picked up the opened bottle of
Australian white from his table, and found a very
comfortable seat looking out to the Bali Sea.
The heavy rain had passed much earlier and the
temperature was humid but comfortable.
He noticed a very attractive woman seated about
thirty meters away and his thoughts drifted to
the vagabond life he had led for the past few
years which had prevented any long term
relationships..
He took an early breakfast and to his surprise
and pleasure the lady who had triggered his soul
searching, was on the next table.
She smiled. He said you are early for breakfast
have you somewhere special planned for today. Yes
she said but I also breakfast early when its
cooler, I have no appetite when it too humid.
Have you been here before she asked. No. I have
travelled a lot but not here. Travelling on
business she asked. We’ll sort of. I like
writing, particularly short stories and a couple
of years ago I decided I would try to Write my
way around the World.
I have a publisher who finances me if the stories
are acceptable. It’s a precarious
arrangement but I have no commitments
Have you anything planned for today I am going to
Dolphins Bay she said and if you would care to
join me I would appreciate your company.
That was the start of the two most unbelievable
weeks in his life.
Every day he was aware of her beauty, her hair,
her eyes but most of all was lost in her smile.
Then that wonderful last night when she said don’t
leave me this evening. Heart, Mind and Soul were
as one.
His flight home was the day before hers and he
said he would meet her flight the following day.
Saying goodbye was difficult even though only for
a day or so.
Her flight was on time and his heart was pounding
when he saw her coming through Customs. He pushed
his way through the crowd, surely she could see
him.
She paused, and he saw her expression change then
she waved but it wasn’t in his direction.
She rushed over to a man with two children. They
all hugged and kissed excitedly. A lovely family
reunion.
His emotions were in turmoil. Dreadful emptiness,
loss, betrayal, guilt.
The next few weeks were vague, depressing,
looking at her phone number His finances brought
him into the real world.
He had to work. He knew he would never travel
again and he gratefully accepted the position of
Proof Reader offered from his publisher.
Two years had passed and the scars remained. Led
a lonely life. Bought a dog which was a blessing.
Didn’t trust relationships
Today he was proof reading short stories. The
second one brought back that awful period in his
life. A book set in Bali. The very mention of the
word opened old wounds.
It was a story about a holiday romance. A woman
who had found perfect love, a perfect Partner.
Her Partners flight home had been a day earlier
than hers and he would be waiting at the airport
to meet her when her flight landed.
She looked through the crowd. But no Howard. So
many emotions unsettled her then she saw her
Brother with his two lovely children waving
frantically to her.
They had come to drive her home Howard never rang!
He found himself shaking. He could read no
further and he passed the draft to another reader
He held his phone with shaking hands
She answered. Pat he said, his voice breaking. It’s
Howard.
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