Stranded in Bangkok – Part 2: Morning Rain

The rain stopped just before dawn. Sara woke to silence, and the soft grey light of morning falling across the sheets, and for a moment she couldn't remember where she was.

Then she felt the warmth beside her: Arjun, asleep on his back, one arm flung over his eyes, breathing slowly. He had come to bed in the early hours, quietly, apologising for the sofa, and she had told him not to be ridiculous.

He had kept his distance all night. She had noticed that, even half-asleep.

She lay still and watched him. His face was softer in sleep, younger somehow, with a faint frown line between his eyes that disappeared when he breathed out.

"You're staring," he murmured, without moving his arm.

"You're snoring," said Sara.

"I am not snoring."

"You absolutely were."

He laughed, low and sleepy, and rolled over to face her. Their noses were inches apart. The light caught the gold in his eyes.

"Good morning," he said.

"Good morning," said Sara. "The flight to Mumbai has been rebooked. For noon."

Arjun's face fell, just slightly. "Ah."

"And mine is for tomorrow," she said. "To London. I don't have to go today."

He went still. "You're staying."

"I'm thinking about it," said Sara. "I have a week before anyone expects me back. I've never had a week that nobody needed me for." She swallowed. "What do you think I should do?"

Arjun was quiet for a long time, watching her face.

"I think you should swim in the hotel pool," he said at last. "Then eat too much breakfast. Then decide what you want, without anyone telling you."

"That's not advice."

"It's better than advice," said Arjun. "It's a suggestion. And an invitation, if you want it to be."

She laughed, and sat up, and the sheet fell away from her shoulders.

"Can I kiss you?" asked Arjun, still lying down, careful, quiet.

"Yes," said Sara. "Yes. And you can stop if I say."

He sat up slowly and kissed her, gently, morning-warm and a little uncertain. She kissed him back, and it was easy, the way it hadn't been for a long time with anyone. When they drew apart, both of them were smiling.

The hotel pool on the top floor was empty except for a single staff member sweeping water off the tiles. The city lay spread below, washed clean by the storm, the river sparkling in the sun. Sara floated on her back in the cool blue water, staring up at a sky without a single cloud.

Arjun swam over and floated beside her, close enough to touch.

"Well?" he asked. "Decision made?"

"Yes," said Sara. "I'm staying a week. And then we'll see what the spring brings."

"Good," said Arjun, and took her hand under the water. "I'll cancel my Mumbai flight."

"You can't cancel it."

"I can try," he said, grinning. "I'm very persuasive, I've been told."

"By whom?"

"By the receptionist," said Arjun. "Who gave me this room."