Not Me : 🎨 Yok's Tapestry 🔻this Is Not a Yok/Dan story🔻

Twelve 🎨

A day at the beach..... One day at the beach...... I can't believe this is what we've been reduced to.... Twenty Four hours....

Throughout the day I caught Finn staring in a daze out at the ocean. Here, on the boat we've rented for the day, at least there is privacy. I didn't think Finn would want to deal with a throng of people today. At least we get to spend our last day together, alone.

We've purposely avoided any discussion or talk in general. I wanted today to be a good memory, for both of us. We did some shopping before coming on the boat, we swam, we even did some snorkeling. The quiet and calm of the reef is probably what Finn needed most. Underwater nothing matters except your oxygen tank.

The day had been full of excitement and yet peaceful and rewarding. Sitting here on deck watching the sunset brings a kind of serenity I've never known. Watching Finn, eyes closed face raised to catch the last rays of sunlight, arms stretched open as if to hold the beauty of the day in them, brings a fluttery feeling to my heart. A softness which I didn't think possible.

All to soon it's over. We sit in silence as the first twinkling stars appear in the sky. Time passes slowly and yet too fast for us on the brink of parting...

When the sky is full of stars and night has darkened, a breeze pulling at our clothes, Finn pulls me closer. "Yok, I'm really sorry for what I did to you." "You didn't do anything, why would you even apologize?"

"I didn't tell you about Todd. That means I deceived you. I approached you wanting information. I wasn't sincere or truthful. I didn't expect to fall in love with you, that part was sincere. I never lied about how I felt. I make no apology for that, just that I wish I had told you about my brother sooner.

He wasn't a bad guy you know, he was the best to me. He just ..... got lost along the way. I'm sorry if he harmed you in any way. If he did something to you please accept his apologies from me. I want him to find peace in the next life.... If he is granted such a privilege.

Your Mae, she told you I had spoken to her about Todd before you? Don't be angry at her. She told me to talk to you." I chuckle."You two make quite a pair. She told me not to be upset with you."

"Your mae is an angel. Look after her...." "Finn, when you go back, what will you do? He smiled sadly. " I will return to the life I left behind a year ago. I have my own business you know. I really am a photographer but I don't work for a newspaper. No Medusa over there." He chuckled this time. " Private joke huh?. I have no family there, no spouse, I wasn't cheating on anyone. I work all the time. I live a quiet life."

"Don't be lonely Finn. I don't want you to be lonely." My heart is breaking. I can't bear the thought of him with someone else. " Finn... Stay. Stay with me. Don't go back. You and me, we can build something here. Mae would love it too. Stay Na.. Na. I love you."

The single tear flowing down his cheek has the power to rip my heart in two. Gently he touches his fingers to my cheek, a kiss on each one, a kiss to the tip of my nose ..." You will always have a special place in my heart. When you've exorcised the ghost of Danai from your heart, maybe then you could find me again. You still love him. Find him, if he is still alive."

"And if he isn't? What then Finn, will I be alone again?" "If he isn't, then make your peace and move on. Life is full of possibilities, don't miss out on them." "If he isn't alive will you come back to me?"

He was quiet for a minute. "No..." "You won't, I ... I thought...." "You thought I loved you..." He finishes my thought.

" You thought I loved you ?.... I do. More than you could imagine.... but I will not be your rebound. When you can choose me, for me, not because you can't have Danai or some reason like that. I value myself and I deserve the best love. If that is you then we shall be together. If not... Then tonight is our goodbye."

"Finn...." He places his finger over my lips. "Shhhhh... No more words. " His lips replace his finger. Hungrily they seek out mine. Breathlessly he says, "Be mine Yok, be mine...at least for tonight "

We make our way to the cabin below. Bodies intertwined, hands and tongues exploring. "I love..." "Don't speak Yok. Make no promises .... " I've never given of myself with so much abandon and never received so much without asking.

With as much purpose as my body moves, my thoughts and emotions are jumbled. " If this is forever love then have I missed it's true meaning all this time..." Amidst the moans this thought is lost and when it comes back it will be at a different time, a different place and me....a different person.

In the morning I awake alone. Finn is gone. I reach out my hand and touch the pillow where his head had rested. As I hug it close to me I can smell his scent left behind. I notice the envelope left under the pillow. My name is written on it. I know this is Finn's goodbye.Shakily I open the note.

"Teerak. Don't get hurt. Eat well. Rest much. Laugh often. I love you. Be safe.
Finn.
P.S. Be nice to Medusa."

The last part made me laugh out loud, like a lunatic I sit in bed, laughing and crying, floating all alone on my boat , drifting alone out on the ocean ....

When I have calmed myself, I steer the boat back to the harbour. Alone I make my way home. As soon as I unlock my door my mother is there waiting for me. When I see her, my emotions break again. In her arms I sob, "he's gone Mae. I'm alone again." "I know son. I know"

Much later that day I get a call from Sammy. "Finn tendered his resignation." "I know," I tell her. "His plane has probably left by now. He didn't want me coming to the airport."
" So nobody has seen him actually board the plane,?" she asks.

"What are you getting at Sammy?" "Finn left willingly and he resigned. No one is looking for him. But...." "But what Samantha?" Fear clenches like a fist around my heart. I feel a cold sweat ...

"Spit it out Sammy. What is it?" "The airline called asking why he didn't make his flight. I asked them to send me camera footage from inside the terminal. Something doesn't add up."

"What do you mean?"I ask anxiously . "Finn wasn't sick. He could walk just fine. Why would he need a wheelchair to move around and why towards the exit? Why would he need someone to push the chair and why was he slumped over? Yok, I think I'm starting to get scared."

"You saw all of this on camera?" "Yes. Yes I did. "

"I'm on my way.... Wait for me Sammy ." Running out the door I only have one thought, "Be safe Finn. Be safe."