The Picture?

Two university students meet on an Hawaiian Island and find they have found the love of their lives.

The Picture?

by

David B. Pincus

 

     The lifeboat I managed to struggle to get into after jumping from the sinking

ship was itself filling with water.  Thankfully not too far in the distance I could make

out and island and I used the single oar that I luckily found floating close by and spent the better part of the morning reaching its' sandy beach.  I never thought I would be so grateful to have the feel of solid land beneath my feet again.

 

     I cautiously looked around before pulling the boat a bit further onto the beach.  After a brief look I made my way to the tree line and as yet I hadn't seen anyone.  Having found several outrigger canoes pulled up into the trees left me with no doubt that the island was inhabited.  Of course I was hoping that whoever they were would be friendly.

 

     I strolled some distance along the expansive beach in the hopes of finding some other survivors from the explosion that had taken place and sunk our vessel.  I wasn't sure whether I was disappointed or not, still I was hopeful that more people than just me would have survived.  As I walked along the waters' edge I saw there was another island across the water that I hadn't noticed as I was struggling to get to this one.  I guessed it to be about two miles distant.  Perhaps there were others who made it to safety but to that other island instead of this.  If I wanted to go there I would have to do some serious repair work on the lifeboat I came top shore with.

 

     With all that I'd been through, the explosion, managing to get into the lifeboat and then paddling to shore, I was quite tired.  I decided to take a well-deserved rest.  I scoured the lifeboat and came up with a seat cushion that I decided to use as a pillow.  While in the boat I found it also had some signal flares, a first-aid kit and a rather big knife.  I'm not much on the use of weaspons but having the knife gave me a better sense of security.

 

     Gathering a bunch of fallen palm branches I made a crude place for me to lie down and rest.  As it turned out, I wisely decided to stretch out under the trees.  I hadn't figured on sleeping for as long as I did.   If I had been exposed to the blazing sun for all that time i would have been badly burned.

 

     Much refreshed I awoke and found that it was late in the morning, but already it was hot in the sun.  Thankfully my watch hadn't been damaged by my brief stay in the water while I had struggled to get into the lifeboat in the early morning darkness.  I had a feeling that my stay here might be for some time so I thought it would be a good idea to scout the island out.  From the short while I had been here I had the impression the island was quite beautiful.  I walked much further along the shore than I had earlier.

 

     After walking some distance I went around a point of land jutting into the sea and discovered a long wide pier extending out into the ocean waters.  It seemed to be quite sturdy, whoever built the pier knew something about engineering. I was thinking that I was very lucky to have been so close to this island.  I went back to where I beached my dilapidated boat and dragged it along the edge of the shore to the pier.

 

     When I walked back down from the pier, I could see many of the very tall lush palm trees in front of me laden with coconuts.  Some of the trees had to be at least 150 feet tall reaching toward the sunlight above.  The bark on them was very thin and smooth.  As I gazed at them my feet sank into the wet soil as I walked around these enormous trees pondering how I might get any of their coconuts.  Fortunately there was a lot of small vegetation growing close to the ground that appeared edible.

 

     As I walked farther into the jungle I could hear birds calling, singing, talking.  The sounds were beautiful and lent a magical quality to the island.  Overall I found the atmosphere to be very relaxing.  I believe many of the birds I heard were parrots and macaws.  Getting hungry I noticed that there seemed to be a wide variety of fruits growing on the trees.  I grabbed one and bit into it, finding it was a delicious mango.  I figured that at least I won't go hungry.

 

      Walking further I heard the sound of rushing water.  The sound got louder and louder the deeper I walked into the jungle and as I came around a clump of trees I came upon a breathtaking sight.  It was a beautiful cascading waterfall, its' waters falling about 30 feet into the silvery blue pool where I was now standing.  I couldn't believe I had just stumbled upon such a relaxing and peaceful place.  In addition to the plunging waters the entire area was festooned with clusters of gorgeous  flowers each more beautiful than the other.  Still though, I kept wondering where the natives of this incredible isalnd were.  I didn't have to wonder for too long.

 

     As I moved closer to the waterfall I saw for the first time a pretty young woman whom I would guess to be about 20 years old.  She was slender with long beautiful black hair that flowed down her bare chest to her waist.  Because of her hair I didn't notice right away that she was nude from the waist up.  She was wearing a flowery skirt in brilliantly vibrant colors of red and blue.  In addition she was wearing a bright red flower in her hair.  She seemed a bit startled when she first saw me and moved away from me.

 

     I said,"Hello." hoping she would understand me.  Luckily for me she did and with a big smile said,"hello." back to me with a delightful island accent.  I explained to her about my boat sinking.  She told me the she and the people on the island heard the explosion very early in the morning but when a group of them went down to the shore they didn't see anything or anyone.  All they saw was what was left of the burning wreckage of the ship.  I told her that I thought the ship must have gone down very quickly and I just managed to find the lifeboat that I used to get to the island.

 

     While we continued chatting she had me follow her to her village where I was hopeful of obtaining some help.  I suddenly realized I hadn't told her my name, nor did I know hers.

 

     "I'm sorry I seemed to have forgotterm my manners, my name is Steve, Steve Stewart and I'm from New Jersey.  I'm studying oceanography as a graduate student at the University of Hawaii in Honolulu."

 

      During this short conversation I was pleasantly surprised that she seemed not the least bit embarrased nor self-conscious in walking and talking with me even though she was half nude.  During our walk Luana told me that she was attending the University of Hawaii too and was a junior there.  She went on to tell me that she is one of the two daughters of the leader of the people on this island.

 

     "So you are a princess?" I asked.

 

     "Oh far from it!", she laughed.

 

     "It's like you select a mayor fro your town or city back on the mainland.  Every couple of years the elders select a man they think would best lead our people.  Last year they happen to choose my father."

 

     "I see."  I told her. "So what are you studying at the university?"

 

     "I want to be a teacher so I can help the young people here, but I also want to be a lawyer."

 

     "That's quite a combination.  Is it difficult for you?"

 

     "Fortunately no.  I really enjoy learning and I've sort of doubled up on the credits I have been taking.  I should be eligible for my teaching certificate and law degree in another year."

 

     "You must be working awfully hard.  Not much of a social life huh?", I asked.

 

     "No, the only real time off is to be here for most of the summer and next summer I won't have that!"

 

     "I guess you haven't any time for a boyfriend then and that's a shame, you're so pretty."

 

     "Thank you, but you're right.  I've thought about it though but I figure it wouldn't be fair to either one of us. I really want to finish up my education and spending so much time doing school work I wouldn't have time for him."

 

     "I can undertsand that, I guess, but you don't really have an excuse in the summer while you are on your break."

 

     Then she told me,"Suppose I meet a guy and we both fall in love.  I'd still be determined to complete my education and he would have to more or less wait on the sidelines.  It wouldn't be fair to him if I let my studies slip by because sooner or later I'd come to my senses and I'd end up blaming him for me not achieving my goal.  No! It's best for me to wait until I'm finished my schooling."

 

     "What if he's willing to wait, "on the side-lines" for you, as you put it?  How do you know if you'll ever find the right person after waiting for so long?  I'm just a little bit older than you, but I can tell you that love is a strange commodity.  There are times when you don't get a chance to pick and choose it just happens.  One day you come around a corner and there is the girl or guy you just know you'll want to spend the rest of your life with.

 

     "Steve you sound just like the prof I had for Romantic Literature.  Love, love, love rules everything.  He insisted that, once love enters the picture we are fated to follow it.  Well I don't agree!  I believe that if I don't open the door even slightly I can ward off love."

 

     "Lots of luck to you Lunana.  By the way that's such a pretty name, what does it mean?"

 

     "It means "content or happy".  When I was a baby I always, I was told, seemed to be content and happy.  I guess it still fits.  For the most part I'm always pretty content and happy."

 

     "In the short time I've known you, I'd have to agree."

 

     I was pleasantly surprised when we got to her village.  Expecting to see bamboo constructed huts with tin roofs I was totally taken aback by the several rows of beautifully maintained cottages.  Though I hadn't seen any telephone poles or electric wires hanging over the streets, it was obvious just by looking in their open doorways they had electricity.  Interestingly each of the houses had a distinctly different color paint scheme so that no two were alike in any way.  They were all one story, but they had been built on top of stilts that raised them about ten feet above the ground.  All of them had either an outrigger canoe or some other boat beneath them.

 

     Luana led to a home that had a brilliant blue trim around all the windows and doors.  She led me inside and had me sit in a nice cushy Lazy-Boy.  It felt so good to finally sit down.

 

     "Can I get you something to drink?" , she offered.

 

     Till that moment I hadn't realized how thirsty and hungry I was, so I told her, "Yes, please."

 

     She left me and went into what I  thought was the kitchen.  At the same time another woman came into the room.  Looking quizzically at me she was about to say something when Luana re-entered the room with a can of Pepsi for me.  As she handed the soda to me she turned to the woman and introduced me to her.

 

     "Mother, I'm sorry I didn't introduce you to my new friend.  He came from the ship we all saw blow up this morning.  Steve this is my mother Hokulani, my father is at work, but he'll be home later."

 

     "Hokulani it's a pleasure to meet you.  Like your daughter I am going to school at the University in Honolulu.

 

     I would not have thought that this woman was old enough to have a daughter as old as Luana.  She looked so young.

 

     Her face lit up in a radiant smile. "You are her boyfriend?  How nice to meet you."

 

     Almost in a panic Luana responded to her mothers' question. "No! No!  Mother Steve and I just met today. Today is the first time I've ever seen him."

 

     "Luana he is a very handsome young man, I'm sure he would be a good boyfriend."

 

     Seeing the look of frustration on my face Luana signaled for me to join her in the backyard.

 

     "I'm so sorry," Luana explained to me. "As you can see she is getting along in years and she is concerned more and more that I won't be getting married.  My older sister got married a few years ago and mom wants me to marry too before she dies.  Please forgive me, I should have warned you before I brought you in."

 

     "Along in years!, I said incredulously.  "I wouldn't have guessed her to be any more than in her late forties."

 

     "Mother would be delighted to hear you say that. Actually she is 65 ,almost 66.  In the islands we tend to look much younger than we actually are."

 

     "That's incredible and she seems to be such a darling woman on top of it.  There is nothing for you to have to apologize about."

 

     "Steve you have got to be the sweetest thing.  I've brought other guys here, just to study with and she gets them all flustered.  They get to thinking I'm trying to get them to marry me.  Of course I'm not, but she has scared off so many good study partners.

 

     "Don't worry Luana, I'm not easily flustered.  You know she is a sweet lady and I'm sure she is doing what she thinks is best for you.  Besides I'm probably not even going to be here that long."

 

     "How long does it take?", she asked.

 

     "For what?", I asked perplexed.

 

     "To fall in love.  How long does it take?", she asked again.

 

     "I don't know. I don't think I've ever fallen in love.  I would imagine it takes a while though, don't you?"

 

     "I don't know", she laughed, "I've never been in love either."

 

     We stood facing each other and for the first time I took a good hard look at her.  She was truly beautiful.  Her face was sculpted like a fine work of art.  Her cheeks had a fresh natural blush to them that couldn't be hidden by her tan. Though she wore no make-up her lips seemed so soft and red.  Her long dark hair had a wonderful sheen and it hung just below her waist.  She seemed to like having it draped down between her bare breasts.  I stood there looking at her, drinking in her beauty and I found myself wondering, "How long does it take?"

 

     Keoni, her father, was now just coming in for his afternoon snack and Luana introduced the two of us.

 

     "Oh you must be the 'missing one' they keep asking about."her father said.

 

     'The missing one? What do you mean?"

 

     "After the explosion they thought everyone had made it safely off the ship.  When they got to their island they found that only one person was missing.  Turns out you are 'the missing one'  Don't worry though I'll radio them and let know you are safe and sound."

 

     "Thank you, I don't want to put you through any trouble."

 

     "it's no trouble.  It's nice to have the company.  To have someone to speak to about the outside world is nice.  If it weren't for our radio and television we'd have little contact  with the outside world.  I take care of all the electronics here on the island.  I got my training while in the Navy.  After twenty-five years I figured I had had enough and retired.  If anyone has difficulty with their radio or television I can usually fix it for them.  I'm the one who maintains the generator we use for our electricity.  I also made sure that they placed all the wiring underground.

 

     "That's why I didn't see any poles with wires hanging down.  What a great idea and with all the storms you don't have to worry about them getting blown down."

 

     "I'm glad you can appreciate that.", Keoni told me. "Now I spend most of my time painting land and seascapes.  I'll be glad to show them to you after we have something to eat."

 

     While I was talking with Keoni, Luana and her mother were inside making us all something to eat.  What ever it was it smelled deliecious, but I was so hungry I would probably have eaten anything.

 

     "We hope you like grilled cheese and ham sandwiches", Lunana said to us.

 

     "Its been one of my favorites since I was a little kid.  Believe it or not I think I can tell you when I had my first one."

 

     "You're kidding!"

 

     "No really my grandmother had taken me to Philadelphia to visit her sister and we sat on the veranda during a sweet smelling summer shower eating grilled cheese and drinking lemonade."

 

     "Steve you sound like an artist or a romantic", suggested her father.

 

     "Oh I don't know about that, but I do know I'd love to see your paintings."

 

     "Daddys' paintings are very pretty."Luana offered.

 

     After eating the three of them walked to the room furthest in the back of the house.  The smell of dried as well as wet paint filled the air and it was easy to see why as my eyes swept the room.  The walls were crammed full of the most wondrous paintings.  Most of them were underwater seascapes, but there were landscapes as well.  Most of those hanging on the walls were finished an dry, but there were still a few that were obviously still wet.

 

     Dry or wet they all seemed to be the most beautiful seascapes and landscapes that I had ever seen.  There was another painting though that had a piece of cloth draped over it.  This struck my curiousity and I went over and lifted the bottom of it up and over the top of the painting which I could tell was already dry.  After uncovering it I quickly stepped back to get a better view.

 

     In the painting was Luana sitting beside a pool with her long black hair streaming down her legs.  As she reclined her feet were just barely touching the water. It must have been early morning.  I could tell that the rising sun was shining off her bronzed skin, giving warmth to her bare breasts.  As she sat she was toying with a beautiful white and pink orchid.  I couldn't remember ever seeing anything so beautiful before, then I glanced to where Luana was standing.

 

     Up to now she hadn't been paying attention to what I was doing.  When she saw where I was and what I had done she rushed over to me and the painting.

 

     "Please don't do that.", she asked.

 

     "Why not?  It's beautiful, you are beautiful.", I told her.

 

     She tried to shrug her way past me but seemed to have lost her balance and fell into me.  I caught her just in time to prevent her from falling on the floor by putting my arms around her shoulders.  Instead of just steadying her, I looked down at her and kissed her while pulling her up and into me.

 

     "You shouldn't have done that," she told me.  At the same time pulling herself away.

 

     "Why not?", I asked.

 

     "Because."

 

     "My God Luana!  You're soon to be a college graduate and the best answer you can give me is "Because"?

 

     Thankful that her father hadn't seen any of what had just taken place Luana rushed back into the main part of the house.  I found myself continuing to drink in the beauty of the picture.

 

     While I was still gazing at it her father told me," I go to Maui each day to sell some of my paintings.  They sell very well despite the competition.  I did this one just before Luana went off to the university this year.  Do you like it, I'll give it to, you."

 

     "Oh I couldn't just take it, I'll, pay you for it, it's very beautiful.

 

     "She is a very beautiful young woman isn't she?  I will not sell her to you.  If I give her to you, you may take it, but I will not sell it.  I can see that you like it very much." Keoni told me.

 

     "Yes." Then I finally said, "I'd be honored to have it."

 

     "I'm glad, I'm sure you will find great joy in having her."

 

     Again I was confused, but he simply smiled at me and took the picture saying he would have his wife wrap it for me.  Looking back at me he said, "Of course you will want to take it with you when you leave.

 

     "Of course", I told him. "Where did Luana go, I want to tell her?"

 

     "I believe she went out back to where the pool is."

 

     I excused myself and went into the backyard which was quite expansive.  I expected to find a swimming pool, but of course theirs was a natural pool and seated on the far edge of it was Luana.  She looked just as she did in her fathers' painting.  Approaching quietly I don't think she saw me until I was almost upon her.  I could see that she had been crying.  I quickened my pace and rushed to her side.

 

     "Luana, did I do or say something wrong?  I'm really sorry if my kissing you upset you.  Please don't be mad or upset with me."

 

     It's not you! It's me! No, it's you and me!  Steve I'm so confused this wasn't supposed to happen!  I keep telling myself that it can't be happening, but it is and I don't know what to do about it."

 

     She started crying again with deep gasping sobs and I took her in my arms to comfort her and instead of stiffening she melted into them and nestled there.  I could feel her tears flowing down my bare arms.  After a few moments she lifted her face up towards mine and I kissed her sweet lips.  This time she kissed me back and held me close to her.  The warmth of her, the fresh smell of her was intoxicating.  I was overwhelmed by her. I had never felt this way towards any woman before.  When we broke the kiss she clung to me as though she would never want to let go and I felt the same.

 

     "It's not fair!  It's not fair you know?  This isn't what I planned, this isn't it at all." She started crying again.

 

     "What isn't fair? What hadn't you planned on?', I asked.

 

     "You!  You and falling in love!" , she sobbed. "I've got so much schooling yet to finish. And you are going to be leaving any day or any time.  It isn't fair!"

 

     "Just a minute here, aren't you taking a lot for granted?  How do you know if I feel the same way or not?  You know I don't have to leave here any time soon.  We both go to the same university and the same campus and I have plans too.  I didn't figure on getting cast away on an island and falling in love with a beautiful island princess.  I'm supposed to be finishing my doctoral thesis then hopefully doing some research before teaching at the university."

 

     "Wait a second you're saying that you're in love with me?  How can that be, we only just met?"

 

     "I don't know," told her.  I don't think there is a time line.  When it happens it happens.  I just knew from the moment I first saw you that you were the one for me."

 

     "I think that is why I was afraid at first,"she told me. "I knew you were the one for me too."

 

     This time when we kissed there was no pulling away.  There was just the feeling that this was right, that this was meant to be and everything else would naturally fall into place.

 

     "It looks like your Romantic Literature prof was right Luana.  Once love enters the picture we have no choice, we are fated to follow it.  We'll have to tell your father, do you think he'll be upset?

 

     "I really don't think he will.  I think he already knows, that is why is offered to give you the picture."

 

     I was more puzzled than ever as we made our way back to the house. Keoni was waiting for us on the lanai sitting quietly in his rocking chair. Before Luana or I could say anything he asked, "Is your family in the islands or on the mainland?"

 

     "Both of my parents as well as my grandparents have been living on the Big Island for several years.  My brother is in the Navy.  Those are the only close relatives I have."

 

     "Do you think they could all make the wedding if we had it next Saturday?"

 

      I was flabergasted! "Keoni, how did you know?  How could you possibly know?"

 

      "My father has a certain sense about people.  That is one of the reasons he was selected as our tribal leader.

 

     "Shush!", her father told her in a friendly tone.  You can't tell him all our families secrets, at least not right away."

 

     "Oh father, you make me so happy." she gushed.

 

     "So I guess," said her father turning to me, "since you are taking Luana the picture stays with me."

 

     "Yes!  Oh yes." I stammered.

    

Reviews

[Confuser]

Dave; I can't recall if it's the first story you published, but if that's the case. Prince lyrics are ringing, in fact, chiming in my ears: I love music, not flirting, but he said it well: You don't have to be beautiful, to be my girl; he sang/wrote what every girl wants to hear, next the charm in his words, are as delightful as this story; next re lyrics, and your story, it's packed full of swagger, but goodness, if you are new to writing, Prince is phenomenal and is a prodigy, as you are sir. Girls and guys will be swooning over this brilliant adventurous story, so full of detail and decadence, I wanted it to go on; and to me that's one sign of a great story. Like when we watch a movie, sigh and ponder what happens next...your detail is fabulous, the theme, content and every word if written like a professional, and every scene, so well defined; another thing I find with reading: can we identify in some way with the characters; and needless to say you passed that with colors and flags waving, screaming: amore; The story is akin to watching a gorgeous Firework display; I couldn't pull away from it; I wish to thank you for a sweet escape. And I cannot wait to read more of your work! Dale

[Dave]

Good writer or not, you must think I'm a complete ignoramus. Here I am FINALLY! responding to such a wonderful compliment. I am delighted beyond words that you found this so enjoyable. I unashamedly admit that I am a romantic. My concern with this was, could it be really reasonable to believe a couple could meet and by the end of their first day together be planning their wedding. Well I thought, to hell with convention. I went to a college where the women outnumbered the men 11 to 1. I met "the girl" during our first week on campus. We didn't marry until we both graduated, four years later, but somehow I knew she would be the one. Thank you again - Dave

[Veronique]

Ahh what an honor to be the very first to comment and review on this beautiful love story of yours Dave...I can hardly believe my eyes that no one has been here yet to comment! Unbelievable! I think this is truly a beautiful touching work of art and so very romantic the way these two young lovers met and fell in love. Simply beautiful darlin' friend! I adore your lovely story!...:)

[Dave]

I am so glad that you were the first, but I certainly hope not the last. I must really be an incureable romantic. This story is nothing like I thought it would be when I started. I readily admit though that I am very happy with it. And by the way, Keoni gave them the portrait as a wedding gift. Of course you knew that would happen didn't you?

[Veronique]

Lol...of course...;) How could he not give them the portrait as a present! Ahh to be incureable romantics...isn't it grand to be this way Dave...lol

[Veronique]

Lol...exactly...;)