𝘼𝙩𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙊𝙘𝙚𝙖𝙣

1997, I and my family were traveling to Germany, We had stayed in America for a long time since I was a teen so we decided to move there. We were on board in that ship for three days, but travelling in first class was something which we could easily afford. That day was the third day and it was dusk when we were about to hit the coast. But at the same time we all heard the siren! Everyone had wondered to know why was the siren alarming. The captain of the ship announced to go into the deck for safety and wait at the exit.

We all ran hurriedly toward the deck through the stairs..

Boom!...... We heard a loud sound on the ship, we began to get panicked and someone yelled from behind "Ship has....has caught fire!"

The deck of the ship had a hole! This ship was going to wreck. I yelled suddenly "Run toward the exit!"

I and my family ran as fast as we could, when we reached the exit gate, men tried to break the locked gate.

And again someone yelled from behind "the kerosene is spilled all over the ship, it is spreading like a wildfire, hurry up, break the gate, we have to save the lives."

My dad looked at us "I'm going to look over the spill of kerosene, so that I can stop it coming here...You both go and save yourself, I'll be there with you shortly...." He ran toward the top of the ship. I and my mother got frightened. Finally they broke the gate and people infront of us swam to get onto the coastline.

I waited till it got a little empty and when I was about to swim, my mother said "Diana, I'm going to get your father... Stay near the shore, I will get your father and come to the shore as soon as possible....Go Diana!"

I was afraid to leave her but she got me no choices so I swam and swam till I reached the shore. People ran hurriedly to the nearest hospital or to a hotel to stay the night.

I sat on the shore, waited, watched the burning ship alone, alone in the sea, wrecked!
And I silently hoped that my parents get out of there as soon as possible.

"Hey girl!" Someone called me? I don't know, so I just stared at the burning and wrecking Ship which had my parents in it.
Suddenly, I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, I flinched slightly. He came and sat infront of me, he was a young man!

"What are you doing here young lady, its already midnight ?" He asked me softly.

"I.....um....I am waiting for my parents to get out of that ship, my mom told me to stay near the coastline so that she can find me...and it's midnight? I don't know how long I had stayed here, but what if they come now, so I'm waiting here." I let out my breath that I didn't know was holding.

"Oh, that's okay but you can't stay here all night, you may catch a cold, or if the enemies made a shower of fire bombs...... so I would suggest you to come and stay in that hospital. There are plenty of rooms in there but I guess they are reserved by now so you can stay with me, there are two beds in my room. This hospital is near the shore as u said, so you can watch your parents if they come." I don't wanted to believe him, but what he said was true and I had to agree to him. So I nodded.

He smiled at me and helped me to got into the hospital. At the reception, the receptionist asked me my name and my parents' name in case if they come to find me.

"Mam, can you give some clothes for this lady and food for us?" He asked the receptionist. And she nodded with a smile. He led me upstairs in a room numbered as "60" this hospital has 60 rooms? But it was least to bother. I walked inside and he handed me the clothes,When did he get the clothes? But I let it go.

When I came from bathroom after changing my clothes, the room was dark and someone stood by the window. For one second I was afraid, but then I realised it was him. Oh I didn't know his name!

I walked toward him, he turned to face me but I couldn't see his face. He bent down to lit up a candle and said "I'm sorry about the light, the main connection of electricity was destroyed due to the fire bombs. I'm sure they'll fix it by morning. Come, let's eat. I'm not sure you will like the meal but that's what we got here." I nodded and sat on my bed.

He brought the table infront of me and sat across me on his bed. We ate in silence until he asked "So you are Diana.....?" He trailed off asking my title.

"Diana Roberts from Texas and you are?" I smiled at him.

"I'm Darcy Scott from here, Germany." He looks worried "So why you came to Germany then, if you are an American?" I gulped my food.

"My parents took the decision to move here...you know, we always change our countries and even states and towns. Being a daughter of a rich father, I get this benefits." I sighed in relief.

"Yeah I understand.... Now I will let you sleep. You might had a long day so you need sleep. You can take my bed as it is near the window, you might see your parents from here," His voice was full of concern and compassion. I agreed to him and l lay on my bed and drifted to sleep.

I woke up suddenly, my eyes twitched and I saw my surroundings, Darcy was still asleep. I got off my bed and walked toward the large window, my mind wandered where my parents were. I stared at the burning ship, warms tears poured down my eyes before I realised that I was sobbing.

"Diana, are you okay?" His concerned voice made me jump.

"Oh...Yeah, I'm fine...just wandering where my parents–" I couldn't finish it that I was crying like hell. Tears ran like waterfall. Why my fate turned out like this? I couldn't stop my tears...they seemed to have an endless property of tears. Huh?
I couldn't stand, I want to sit...

"Diana!" Darcy scraped and held me into his arms as I was about to fall. He comforted me while I cried for hours. He made me straddled him while he sat on my bed and stroked my hair up and down. I felt much better in his arms but I was still sobbing heavily. My grief was about that I lost my parents for sure...mom?...Dad?...

"Shhh....Diana, everything.....will be okay....may be someday." His voice crackled after a long silence. I pulled away from his chest to look up at him and I gasped to see his bloodshot, glossy eyes. Oh boy! He was crying too.
I couldn't help but I wiped away his tears by the back of my hand, his eyes never left mine.

"Why are you crying?" I broke the intolerable silence between us. He flinched under my touch and looked away.

"I don't know....by seeing you, my emotions came out which I didn't let go for so long." He said and looked at me. He would cry again like me.

"Have you lost somebody, like me?.... I don't mean to be intrude but.....You know, while I was watching the ship and it has been eleven hours since I saw my parents, I lose hope to see them again...I think–" He cut me off and hugged me tightly while I screeched this time. I felt extremely comfortable in that stranger's arms.

"Yes, I lost my mom, my only family member I had. My dad died out of cancer when I was 17 but before he died he had cut and dried everything for us. He used to be the richest billionaire in Germany but death laid his hands on him too soon. My mom died because of these fire bombs, the enemies showered on every towns....... Just a day ago, I was at home and my mom went to her parlour, at noon the siren alarmed, I ran and hid in our basement but the bombs hit the parlour and she never came to–"I put my fingers on his lips. His lips were so soft. I put away my thoughts!

"I'm sorry...." Warm tears poured down my eyes. Hell, I was too emotional. We both cried on our grief for how long ?

"Don't be. This war is neither of our fault. Wars are meant to be which destroys the lives of people." He sighed.

"War?" I was confused then.

"Yes, Albanian Rebellion of 1997 between the Albanian and the Germans–the war!" He wiped my cheeks slowly, "You didn't know about the war ?" I shook my head. He continued to stare at me.

I was unable to control my emotions, I thought I'm falling for this man. His eyes have something I would love to drown in.
And his touch. I love you Darcy, silently I prayed. But I knew nothing about him. I don't cared about his background.

But did he feel the same about me?......