3 years ago, in Male, Maldives.
"Okay guys, since everyone is here, let's board the ship," finally! After an hour of waiting, the group could finally board the ship to start their trip around the Maldives.
"Yayat… I have already messaged dad to inform our departure," Hidayah whispered to her twin's ear. Since they were young, they have a habit to update their parents with their location and itinerary when they travelled alone or with friends. As they said… old habits never die.
"Mm… thanks," Hidayat replied back. This trip in the Maldives was Daniel's idea to celebrate the group's graduation. Except for Hidayah who has already graduated years prior. That woman is a scary genius. A monster who absorbs information like a dry cloth absorbing spilt water.
The group made their way up. Other than the group of friends, there were also other couples and a group of friends joining the tour. Unsurprisingly, Kamari had also acquired all the information of guests to ensure his children's safety. In fact, 4 of the guests are actually bodyguards that he hired to keep the group safe.
The tour around the Maldives starts from North Male towards Lhaviyani, Noonu, Shaviyani, Raa, Baa, Rasdhoo, Ar, Vaavu and ends at South Male. The 12 days/11 nights itinerary also includes various dives in the different islands and seas.
"Alrighty… Hidayah and Erika, Hidayat and Anston are on the upper deck. Daniel & Victoria on the second deck. Or, would you like to change with us?" Hidayat asked Daniel.
"Neh… it's okay… we will stick to our original beds…"
"Okay! Let's go people!" Hidayah cheered and rushed towards their rooms. Regrettably, due to the arrangements and ship size, the group had to split up and not being able to stay in the same deck. But the room in the second deck is not that bad, so Daniel and Victoria did not mind the room.
Hidayah & Erika took the largest room on the ship. The Sun Cabin, a suite that has a King size bed and 5 windows overseeing the sea while Hidayat and Anston shared a room across. The Star Cabin, a deluxe cabin that has a Queen size bed and 3 windows overlooking the sea.
Daniel & Victoria is staying in the Sand room which is on the second deck. The room has a double bed and 2 windows overlooking the sea.
Anyways, Hidayah & Hidayat loves to have parties in their room so the group usually gathers at either of their rooms more often than at the deck.
In the Star Cabin
Hidayat and Anston were unpacking their bags and gears to prepare for the trip. "Hidayat, did you see a group of 3 ladies earlier?" Anston asked Hidayat who was busy with hanging his clothes.
"Which group?"
"The group of Scottish girls… one of them had a blue head…"
"How do you know they're Scottish?"
"Because... They were speaking in Gaelic?"
"LOL… Can sempat like that ah… pretty or not? Why? You like one of them ah? Wait… How do you know Gaelic?" Hidayat elbowed Anston after he sat on the bed beside Anston.
A/N: sempat is Malay word for 'have an opportunity' or 'still be able to'. In this case, Hidayat is referring to Anston's opportunity to look at other groups and seeing a beauty.
Anston smirked back to Hidayat in response, "yeah… the blue headed girl," ignoring Hidayat's question about him knowing Gaelic, a language spoken by a minority in Scotland. In fact, he wasn't really 100% sure if the ladies were Scottish. But from the conversation, he thought it sounded like Scottish Gaelic.
"What! Did you get her name?"
"Not yet… I'll ask later. You wanna be my wingman?"
"Sure! Can't wait to see your beauty!" both men laughed while continuing with their unpacking.