Falling for the lifeguard - Mel Afoa

She always knew life would be better after a near-death experience.

She remembers him, remembers the day he saved her from the grasps of death. Remembers the way his hands held onto her tightly, pushing against the rough waves. Remembers the way she woke up from unconsciousness to find his lips touching softly on hers. Remembers the time his hands ran gently on her face, waiting for her to get over her shock.

She remembered that day as if it was superglued to her heart. She had gone to La Perouse to find a sanctuary away from work. Stressed in both body and mind, she had run to the waves of the blue ocean to offer her comfort. Running away from her sombre life and running into the open arms of the blue sea. Sitting on the pale rocks and lying under the beautiful sunlight, she pondered the reasons of her existence. She wondered why her parents even took notice of her. She was used to her work collegues shutting her out of conversations and disappearing when her presence was near. She told herself countless times that she did not care for the attitudes of her collegues, or the absent calls from her friends. It was to be expected the year after graduating from high school, you had to move on. She knew that these undelicate matters were not worth shedding tears.

She stood up after her time of resolving issues in her mind, doubtful that she could work with charades much longer. Looking around, she noticed how the waves surrounding the enormous rock she was perched on had grown more vicious and angrier. She suddenly noticed many people going as the waves grew more hungrier, hitting the sand ever so harshly. The sky itself had turned from blue to a light shade of blue and grey mixture. Stepping lightly back onto the lower rocks, she smiled as she stepped down, suprisingly comforted by the loud noise of the waves.

Suddenly, she slipped on the last part of rock, stumbling slightly, and falling heavily on one ankle as she rolled down onto the hard ground. She cried out in pain, clutching her ankle tightly. She had looked around, and saw spots of blackness beginning to cloud her eyes. She stood up on the ankle that had no pain, still clutching the other, sobbing softly. Waves had finally reached her, and the water sprayed all over her, pushing her onto the ground again. As she tried to stand up once more, the water became more vicious, pushing her back down. She couldn't think of what to do as unconsciousness began to call her name. Suddenly, but ever so slow, the water had managed to suck her into the ocean, and she went with the knowledge that death was at her doorstep.

As she managed to bob up and down in the water, she saw a figure in the water tredding towards her quickly. Its too late, she thought as the waves carried her deeper into the ocean, dying for me isn't worth your time. She relaxed, the blackness finally here. I'm ready, I'm ready....

She woke to find gentle lips on hers. She opened her eyes to find a man of her age holding her in the most intimate position, his arms wrapped around her body, pushing hers as close to his as he can. His green eyes were gazing at hers with a hint of desperation. She didn't know why, but before questioning where and why she was this close to his beautiful body, she looked at his hair. Though it was brown and spiky, it was soaked wet, as well as his perfect body, but it was all roughed up, like the waves in the sea. She looked down to find him topless, with a pair of black boxers on his heavenly form. She knew something was wrong, but she could not muster the courage to ask. He gently lifted his right hand from her cheek, and put it next to her head on the ground.

She finally got the courage to ask where she was. She was on the beach at La Perouse, away from the waves that had called her in. She was away from the gigantic rock that gave her bruises and cuts. She was away from death as he tried to lure her in. She asked how she was saved, and he told her he had seen her fall, and jumped immedietly into the water, battling the rough sea to save the unknown beauty that fell like a fallen angel. He then told her his profession as a lifeguard on the beach, and though off-duty, had come to beach to be offered a sanctuary. Though shocked at the whole ordeal, a part of her heart could not stop wondering whether he was the real Prince Charming. She noted throughout the whole conversation, his arm was still wrapped around her waist, his arm near her hair, half his body gently pressed against her.

She then asked him what he would cherish as a reward. She insisted that he find something in which he would see a liking in, for she wanted to thank him for his trouble, and for the risk of saving her for no reason. He then shook his head, instead thanking her for letting him save her. He had long been cast in the shadows of his fellow lifeguards, wandering the sand on duty instead of putting his muscles to work and saving in the water. He thanked her for letting him experience his dream, for letting him put his dream into action. He wanted only recognition, and she gave it to him. In an unexpected turn, he then apologized, for making her think her nearly dying was the best moment of his life. He was in complete shock when he saw her fall unconsciously into the water. He knew God had made him go to the beach on his break day as a sign. He was ready to meet his soulmate, and if need be, that meant saving.

He then asked her what reward she would like, as a token of his gratitude for the upboost in his ego and soul. She didn't know what to say, and so she, bringing up courage, ran her hand gently on his cheek. He grinned slightly, telling her of her ridiculous beauty. She asked for one thing, and one thing only. She wanted to savour the moment of being brought back to life, with the only thing she knew girls would ask for. A kiss from her Prince Charming.

He smiled softly, before weaving his hands through her soaked hair, and bringing her body closer to his. With one swift movement, he brought his lips to his, covering the smile she made for him.