Isla went to the foreigner's house and knocks a few times, but no one answered after a few minutes of knocking, calling, and waiting. She decided to come back by afternoon to check up on him once again thinking that the man was too exhausted and was still asleep.
And she was right. Adriane was knocked out from all the fatigue, stress, and lack of sleep. It was not until 4 in the afternoon when he heard urgent knocking on his door. His brows twitch at the sudden waking up and when the knocking keep going, he harshly rubs both his hands on his face before brushing it on his thick, dark hair in a bit of irritation. And with still half closed eyes, groans as he drag his own feet towards the door and opens it slowly just to be greeting by a shriek and subsequently, a woman running away from his house. Adrian winced and rubs his ear from the loud shriek from Isla followed by great confusion.
"What the fuck was that for?" Isla's clamor fully woke him up and looks around for the reason for shouting at his face. He closed the door and looks at the mirror to see if there's something wrong with his face, if there are any insects, or whatever that can make a woman scream like seeing a ghost. Aside from his messy hair, some stubble on his chin, dark circles and slightly puffy eyes, there's nothing wrong with his face. He stares at his reflection for few more minutes, looking for what could possibly look wrong on him, before it sinks in that he's only wearing his pants, which also hangs low on his hips. He might have been unconsciously removed his last night because of the sweltering heat he felt. He grimaced and felt sorry for Isla. He forgot that this country was a lot more conservative compare to neighboring countries, especially on the provinces, much more so on an almost isolated island like Isla Verano.
"Well, I lose a bit of those muscles because of depression, but it doesn't look bad. Why the need to scream and ran?" He laughs when he recall how loud she scream and how fast she ran away. "What an odd way to greet the day." When he looks up and saw his reflection on the mirror, smiling, he was surprised. That is something he hadn't done for weeks or months, he can't even remember how long he last felt that emotion. Maybe changing ones environment can really heal some wounds.
The next day, after resting long inside the house, Adrian resolves himself to tour the island. It's been just his third day on the island but it really made his feel relaxed. There are no noisy and busy people walking around, no traffic, no smoky air to inhale, nothing. Just the fresh air, sound of the rustling sound of the leaves, music made by the waves and the birds, and the warmth of the sun on his skin. Looking around, noticing that only the old ones stayed on this place, he starts to wonder why. Why did the young people choose to live on the city instead of this relaxing place?
"Jose! Isla!" Adrian called out when he saw them walking, Isla holding a pail and Jose by her side. They waved their hands to him in return. Jose talks to Isla and grabs the pail before pushing the woman to his direction. Adrian smirks when he saw her walking with a pout and murmuring something.
"Good morning." He greets her when she reached the steps on his patio.
"Good morning, too. Sorry about the commotion yesterday." Isla replied while blushing. He can't help but feel awkward seeing her turn red.
"Sorry for what happened yesterday. I was half awake when I greeted you. I haven't yet adjusted well to the culture. I might've scared your wits out." He bits his own lips in awkwardness before grinning like a boy.
"Sorry, also, for screaming like that and running away. It's the first time for me to handle visitors, and I am not used to seeing, uhm, someone naked."
"Half naked." He corrected her.
"Yes. Half naked. Sorry." She breathes in deeply before continuing. This time, she tries her best to smile and look at Adriane straight. Though, with still blushing face and nibbling her own lips every few time before she continues her speech, "Good morning again, Sir Adrian, I will be your tour guide for today. My name's Isla, not the owner of this island, it is not also named after me, but surely, it is a beautiful place just like me. Welcome to Isla Verano!"
Adrian can't help but smile at her very enthusiastic introduction and her entertaining gestures. And all the while, her face even flushed more in shame. It might've been her first time doing that introduction and to someone she was flustered by just the day before. He looks forward to this entertaining tour now.
"Stop laughing. I'm very ashamed of it right now." She mumbles and pouts at him.
"Who taught you that?" He can't help but wonder.
"I made it. And now, I am regretting it. I will think of another one very soon." She pouts even more as she stomps her feet and cringe on what she had just done.
"It was great actually. I bet tourists will like that kind of introductory speech. Very energetic and entertaining." She stares at him, not believing his words of affirmation.
"I swear. It was great." He holds up his hand like a scout making an oath. "I've been to many places and some tourists are energetic but their tours lack entertainment and sometimes, makes one easily bored."
"Hmm… Okay. If you say so. I will trust your words. Now, let's go on our tour, shall we?" Isla started to guide him throughout the beautiful parts of the island.
As they walk to the locations Isla recommends, she continuously gave few reminders, some things to take note of, stories of the places, the significance of those places to the residents, and at what occasions or time those places are best visited. The hidden beaches, oldest houses on the island, the traditions, and even pointing out what cliffs are safe to visit or where not to go to.
"Why are you staying here?" Adrian can't help but ask when he really proved that other that him and Isla, there are only elderly living on the island. Isla stop walking at his sudden question.
"If I leave, who will help the elder entertain tourists? They don't have that much energy anymore to show off and walk throughout the whole island. Even those who have the energy to do so, don't have any courage to communicate with foreigners, let alone guide or entertain them."
"But there aren't any tourists aside from me." Adrian halts as he watches her maneuver the right pathway or stones to step on to get to the river bank.
"You are the first one but never the last." She looks back and stares at him seriously. Before slightly nodding her head for him to follow her down. "I know Isla Verano has much to offer other than the usual white sand beach. This place is a treasure not yet been fully discovered." When they reached the river bank, Isla walks towards the water and scoops a handful of water before looking at Adriane descending from the rocky pathway. "This island has a beauty haven't been appreciated. But I believe that it will soon be discovered and loved. And I will never leave this place for another because I know that the day I'm hoping for will surely come."
The sun's light passing through the trees and reflecting on the water makes the place more mesmerizing, and with Isla crouching there, on the bank, with a melancholic expression, makes the sight even more breathtaking. Her fair complexion, wavy hair moved by the soft winds, the sound of the water running accompanied by the birds' chirping, Adriane forgot how to breathe for a moment. She looks unreal at that moment. I was like time stopped for them and only the nature's song continues to play just for this scene in front of him.
"Sir? Are you okay? Are you tired or hurt?" Adrian snapped back when he saw the worried expression on her face as she walks towards him.
"I-I'm g-good. (clears his throat) Just need a bit rest." He answered in a slight stuttering. Isla guides him to a big rock near the bank where he can sit down and rest while Isla surveys their surroundings. All the while, Adrian takes few photos of the place and some of Isla.