Chapter 13

iSigodi Resort, Lake St Lucia, After the storm.

Two shadows on a darkened pathway, bathed in the filtered, misty moonlight.

Ty lifted Melanie out of the wheelchair, holding her against him. Her legs went around his waist and her arms around his neck. As their lips met, it was as if the entire universe conspired to create the perfect harmony between the lovers. The warmth of his breath mingled with hers, creating an intimate embrace that transcended the physical realm. Their kiss was a delicate dance, each movement choreographed by the rhythm of their hearts.

The faint scent of her perfume, delicate and alluring, filled his nostrils, sending a wave of familiarity and comfort through him. It was a scent he had come to associate with her presence; a subtle reminder of the depth of their connection. For him, it was a revelation, a moment he had dreamed of but never dared to hope for. Her lips were soft and warm against his own, her touch sending shivers down his spine. In that instant, he felt a sense of completeness wash over him, as if all the scattered pieces of his soul had finally found their home.

Her heart swelled with emotion as she melted into his embrace. His lips, gentle yet fervent, spoke volumes of the love he held for her. It was a love she had always known existed but had never dared to acknowledge until this very moment. In his arms, she felt a sense of belonging she hadn’t known before; a profound feeling that left her breathless.

The strength of his embrace was a revelation in itself to her. In his arms, she felt safe, protected, and cherished in a way she had never experienced before. His touch was both gentle and firm, a reassuring anchor amidst the swirling sea of emotions that threatened to engulf her.

As she melted into his embrace, she became acutely aware of the depth of her feelings for him, a realization that both terrified and exhilarated her. It was a sensation unlike any other, a feeling of being seen and understood in a way she had never thought possible.

Together, they became lost in the sweetness of their kiss, their surroundings fading into insignificance. Time ceased to exist as they surrendered themselves to the overpowering tide of emotion that enveloped them. At that moment, there was only Ty and Melanie, two souls bound together by the unbreakable thread of love.

And as they finally parted, their eyes met in a silent exchange of promises and devotion. In each other’s gaze, they found the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could conquer anything. Hand in hand, heart-to-heart, they embarked on a journey filled with endless possibilities, their love shining brightly like a beacon in the darkness.

The cyclone’s fury had gradually relinquished its grip on iSigodi. In its aftermath, the resort and its surrounding landscape emerged transformed from the tumult, bathed in the soft, silvery glow of the full moon filtering through the receding clouds. The night air was infused with the scent of rain-soaked earth, mingling with the fragrant perfume of blossoms newly awakened by the storm’s cleansing touch.

Along the winding paths of the resort, the flora that had been bowed beneath the weight of wind and rain now stood tall and proud, their verdant leaves shimmering in the intermittent moonlight like jewels adorning a regal crown. Each fleeting glimpse of the celestial orb peeking through breaks in the shifting clouds, painted the landscape with an ethereal luminescence, casting shadows that danced in harmony with the gentle breeze.

The lake, a mirror reflecting the celestial expanse above, lay tranquil, its waters rippling gently as if in quiet gratitude for the reprieve from the storm’s relentless onslaught. With each passing moment, the clouds parted further, allowing the moon’s radiant beams to caress the surface of the water, transforming it into a shimmering tapestry of silver and shadow.

Within the lush foliage that bordered the lake, the nocturnal creatures of iSigodi stirred from their refuge, their presence felt rather than seen as they ventured forth into the night. The soft hoot of an owl echoed through the stillness, while the occasional chirrup of crickets added a rhythmic cadence to the symphony of the night.

In the sky above, the canopy of stars stretched out in a dazzling display. Their twinkling lights were punctuated by the occasional streak of a shooting star. The moon, a luminous orb suspended in the heavens, cast its ethereal light upon the world, illuminating every corner with its gentle radiance.

And amidst this tableau of natural beauty, the resort of iSigodi stood as a beacon of tranquillity, its walls once again enfolding its guests in a sanctuary of peace and serenity. As the night wore on, enveloped in the security of nature’s embrace and with the moonlight filtering through the shifting clouds, the world seemed to exhale a collective sigh of relief. Basking in the quiet beauty of the moment, a bit more of a respite before the dawn of a new day.

“Let’s go inside. It’s a bit cold out here,” Melanie giggled like a schoolgirl on her first date.

“Well, we don’t want you to catch a cold on top of everything else, now do we?”

“I think I’ve contracted a more serious disease.”

“Me, too, my love, me too...” I said.

Guiding Melanie in her wheelchair through the tranquil aftermath of the tempest felt like a tender dance, each movement a testament to the strength, resilience, and love that bound us together. The breeze, like a gentle hand leading us home, tousled her hair and carried with it the sweet scent of rain-soaked petals, a reminder of nature’s enduring beauty even in the wake of chaos.

We approached her apartment, and a surge of protectiveness swept over me, a desire to shield her from the lingering remnants of the storm both outside and within. With each turn of the wheel, I found myself drawn deeper into the intimate cocoon of our shared moment, my heart beating in time with the rhythm of her own.

She disappeared into her room to gather things for her crash bag for the night, I couldn’t shake the tender fluttering in my chest, a melody of anticipation and longing. The thought of her choosing to stay in the comfort of my suite, nestled within the embrace of our shared sanctuary, filled me with an unknown warmth.

Back in my suite, I assisted her in getting comfortable in the spare bedroom. She placed her bag on the bed and then slowly stood up from her wheelchair. I watched as she made her way over to the bed and gently lowered herself onto it. She stretched out, then flashed me a smile.

“I don’t know what is better, but being able to lie down and stretch is better than sitting in that chair on wheels.”

Just as I was about to respond, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was the first one since the storm, and I was relieved to see that the cell towers were still working. I took out my phone and looked at the display: Ashwin Windsor.

Melanie was stretched out on the bed, her hands behind her head and a silly smile on her lips.

“Hello, Mister Windsor, Sir,” I greeted.

“Hello, Ty. First, you call me Ash, and secondly, I’m no sir. A sir is that thing you hold in you hand when you go do ... Never mind. How’s the damage out there?”

“Staff is doing a detailed check on everything, but so far, the resort seems to have missed the big damage. Some tree branches are down, but the radio tower, the hangar and the clinic are fine,” I replied.

“Good. And how is miss Ková holding up?”

“Frustrated by being in the wheelchair. She’s been feeding herself painkillers, and it seems to hold the pain, unless of course she bumps her feet against solid objects.”

“We are in Richards Bay. We flew in about an hour ago.”

“Great! But before you get over here, let me first check on the lake runway in daylight. There might be some debris around that first needs to be cleared.”

“That will be good. We are about forty minutes away. As soon as it is light in the morning, go check out the landing area and give me a call.”

“Dawn is at 05:10 around here. Expect a call from me about 05:30.”

“It sounds like a plan. Now, any movement on that suspect of yours?”

“She disappeared a while ago. Maybe she ran, but I expect anything, any time.”

“Do you have a piece?”

“Beretta nine millimetre parabellum, fifteen shot magazines, all fully loaded.”

“Keep it near.”

“I’m carrying.”

“Keep Miss Ková safe. Even if you have to lock her up in a closet, and you sleep in front of the door,” Ash advised, and I looked over at Melanie laying on the bed, looking back at me with those big brown eyes.

“I’m watching her right now.”

“Good. Where are you?”

“In my suite at the resort. I tied her up to the bed in the spare bedroom...”

“That’s one way of doing it but reserve the ‘tying up’ part for the suspect.”

“Oh, I have more ropes...” I chuckled.

“We better get there fast...”

“Yes! You should. Melanie still has a piece of glass embedded deep in her foot. It must be removed without delay. It’s getting on for twenty-four hours, and I am worried about infection and further internal damage.”

“She’s a vet. She must have some antibiotics around. She will know what to take.”

“She’s taking Naproxen and Ibuprofen at the moment.”

“She can’t take both! It’s either one or the other, but not both!”

“Don’t worry! She knows what she’s doing. She’s taking the Naproxen at the moment, and I see no red inflamed skin around the wounds.”

“Okay, Ty. Go check out the lake runway in the morning and call me if it’s a go or not.”

“Will do,” I affirmed.

“Good. Chat to you later.”

“Bye, Ash ... Sir,” I teased, disconnected, and turned to Melanie.

“Tie me up to the bed? What’s that all about?” Melanie asked, a naughty expression playing over her face.

“Ash said to keep you safe, even if I have to lock you inside a closet and sleep in front of the door.”

“Hmm ... That’s an idea, but I would rather sleep here in the bed...” She softly responded, then sat up. “Then you could lay down next to me and hold me in your arms...”

“You reckon it will be safe that way?”

“I know I would...” Melanie responded with a slight shy smile.

“Like a pig in Palestine?”

“Like a pig in Palestine, or a cow in India...”

“Come here let me hug you,” I invited and held open my arms. She scooted up and formed her body to mine. Her lips searched for mine and we kissed, long and passionately. Eventually we parted with a sigh from each of us.

“Time to blow out the candle, my Trojan Horse...” she teased

“Yes, my beautiful Helen of Troy...” I replied, then stood up and doused the light, then returned to my place next to her. I was softly stroking her hair and back while she still sat against me, her head on my chest and her arm across my waist, purring like a kitten.

“You say such nice things to me...” Giggle. Then all went quiet. Melanie was spooning up against me, and I just drew the sheet up over us.

Her breathing became deeper, and I thought she was asleep when: “Helen of Troy was a blond...”

“What?”

“I said, Helen of Troy was a blond.”

“How do you know? Were you there?”

“No. I saw the movie...” Giggle.

“Oh brother...”

Dawn broke over the subtropical forest of iSimangaliso, turning the sky into a brilliant shade of gold. The sun slowly peeked over the dune to the east, sending its first gentle rays across the tranquil waters of St. Lucia. It was hard to imagine that a fierce tropical storm had swept through the area just sixteen hours earlier, with winds reaching up to one hundred and fifteen kilometres per hour. It had battered the landscape, bending and swaying the trees like reeds in the wind.

But now, a sense of calm enveloped the surroundings. The birds began to chirp and sing, and the forest dwellers stirred from their slumber, welcoming the new day with fresh energy. The once turbulent waters of the lake now lay serene and still, reflecting the golden hues of the morning sky.

As the morning air filled with the sounds of nature coming to life, a distinct scent also permeated the air. It was the smell of a newborn day in Africa – a mixture of earthiness, humidity, and the subtle fragrance of blooming flowers. It carried with it a sense of renewal and possibility as if one could feel the promise of a new beginning with each breath.

A pink-backed pelican gracefully descended from the sky; its wings outstretched like a dancer in flight. With effortless poise, it unfurled its long legs, reaching eagerly for the surface of the water below. As it made contact with the gentle ripples, it executed a flawless landing, gliding smoothly onto the tranquil surface.

With a soft splash, the pelican settled into the water, folding its magnificent wings against its sleek body. It seemed to meld seamlessly with its surroundings, becoming one with the serene expanse of the lake. There was a natural elegance to its movements, a beauty that spoke of millennia of evolution and adaptation.

I watched the pelican float along, seemingly weightless upon the water, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of reverence for the wonders of the natural world. It was a moment of pure magic, a fleeting glimpse into the timeless dance of life unfolding before my eyes.

“A shame you did not bring your camera,” Melanie broke the silence next to me. “But lucky for you there will be a few more of these moments.”

“Yeah, it was so good to watch that pelican land. Reminded me of the SAAF PBY Catalinas that once flew from here.”

“Not here. A little south. At Catalina Bay. Remember I showed you the old jetty that is still there, the day I flew you in to iSigodi?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Have you actually seen a PBY Catalina land or take off?” Melanie asked.

“Not here, but out in Gauteng. There was one still airworthy, and they refurbished her and sold her to an American owner that collects old war birds.”

“Such a shame that our old war birds go to other countries...” Sigh.

“It’s a question of the Dollar versus the Rand. For us, it is way out too expensive to buy those old ladies, but the Americans and British with their strong Dollar and Pound Sterling, just grab up these beauties like candy.”

“At least someone still cares for them.”

“True. But it deprives us of watching them in the African sky...”

“I hear something...” Melanie replied and cocked her head to the south.

I looked out towards the south and my trained eye picked up a dark spot in the sky that gradually grew to a white and blue fuselage and wings. It’s twin turboprop engines sang their high-pitched song as the aircraft grew larger and swiftly flew past us, to my estimation, at about two thousand feet Mean Sea Level. (MSL)

“Blast! That thing is fast.” Melanie remarked. “And huge!”

“It seats nineteen PAX,” I replied. “Plus the flight crew. Top speed of two hundred and ninety-six kilometres an hour, and sells at seven million USD.”

“I want one for Christmas!”

She was like a kid in a candy store.

“How about you just get yourself current on my King Air?”

“Your King Air?”

“Yes, my King Air.”

“You did not say it was yours!”

“You never asked.”

“TYRON VAN ASWEGEN!”

In the meantime, the De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turned left and descended to five hundred feet MSL. It retraced its path to the west of us, then turned to execute finals towards the green and red buoys marking the edges of the water runway of iSigodi.

The Otter descended and slowed in speed. For a moment it seemed to hover in the air before its floats touched the water and with a slight bounce it settled on the surface of the lake. Immediately the high pitch whine of the turbines changed to a roar as the propellers changed to reverse pitch, and I watched Melanie’s face. With her mouth open in astonishment, she could not believe it as the Otter came to a stop, not using a quarter of the runway. It settled in the water for a moment and then turned to sail taxi towards us, its wings slightly dipping from side to side as it negotiated the slight swell on the lake.

“It’s not only fast, but stops on a dime!”

“It’s a STOL capable aircraft,” I chuckled.

“Have you flown one?”

“No, but in the face of no more Catalinas in South Africa, I would like one of those for Christmas too!” I chuckled.

“And where will you keep it? I have the use of the lake, but you don’t have a lake where you stay.”

“Oh, there are large dams around Gauteng,” I replied. “There’s Hartebeespoort Dam, Roodeplaat Dam, Bronkhorstspruit Dam, and the Vaal Barrage...”

“Yeah, and all within walking distance from your house?” Melanie asked teasingly, cocking her head sideways with a teasing expression on her face. She was toying with me and I loved it. Well, I can tease back.

“Well, the only dam within walking distance of my house ... is Teewaterskloof Dam,” I replied but did not elaborate more. I wanted her to drag it out of me.

“Mister Tyron Van Aswegen, I am not that ‘in the know’! Teewaterskloof Dam is in the Western Cape!”