KARMA COLADA

Chapter Thirty-Three

LEON stepped off the ferry at Thong Sala Pier in Koh Pha Ngan, carried by a throng of tourists, most of them half-naked and painted in luminescent body paint.

The sun had just about disappeared behind the horizon, so Leon stood out like a dark blip in a sea of neon.

Even though he was so close to his goal he could taste the sweet flavor of victory, Leon was numb to the core. The only face etched on his mind was not Gabriele or Francine's, but that of Naomi's.

Her sincere profession of love played over and over in his head like a broken record, causing his jaw to clench so tightly his gums ached. But Leon couldn't think of Naomi Wu now. Not when his grandmother's ring was at stake.

He banished any lingering thought of Naomi into the deep recesses of his psyche. This was not the time to mull over whether he possibly made the biggest mistake of his life. He'd have plenty of time to beat himself over letting her go, once he had the ring safe in his palms.

Or else, this whole nightmare of a trip would've been pointless.

Leon squeezed his way out of the mob and headed straight for the row of colorful Tuk Tuks parked along the jetty. Upon noticing Leon, one of the drivers waved him over, bellowing in a mix of Thai and broken English.

Leon flashed Gabe's crumpled business card and handed over the fare he proposed. Leon was ninety percent sure he was being ripped off, but frankly he didn't give a damn anymore.

The whole journey from the pier to Gabe's surf shack in Haad Rin beach took about twenty-five minutes. It would've been less, according to the Tuk Tuk driver, but the beach was also where the Full Moon Party was in full swing.

There were a lot of periods where the Tuk Tuk would be at a standstill thanks to the congested traffic, testing Leon's patience to a boiling point. He was tapping his foot so rapidly he almost sprained his calf.

When they finally reached the beach, the driver gave Leon somewhat vague directions to the surf shack, before wishing him a pleasant time on the island. Leon responded with a noncommittal grunt and ambled out of the vehicle faster than a rocket.

Unlike the liqueured-up tourists stumbling along the shore, Leon wasn't here for a pleasant time. He was on a goddamned mission. His sneakers bit into the sand as he rushed down the length of Haad Rin beach, passing seaside cafés and jet ski rental shops.

Until, just like the Tuk Tuk driver said, he caught sight of a small bungalow close to the edge of the bay, partially obscured by coconut trees blowing in the wind. A wonky wooden arch stood in front of the pathway leading to the bungalow, looking more like a safety hazard than anything.

Painted on top of the arch in white, clumsy letterings, were the words 'Gabe's Surf Shack'.

He was here.

After all the shit he went through the past couple days, he was finally here.

But even though he should fall to his knees and rejoice in the victory, Leon stood still with his nails dug into his palms, once again, numb.

Somebody important was missing from this picture. Someone who stuck with him throughout this crazy journey; who he wished was around to celebrate this moment with him, hand-in-hand.

Someone who, up until now, he didn't realize he cared about more than anyone else on this planet. Maybe even more than himself. Leon cursed under his breath, wishing the ground would swallow him up like quicksand.

He had feelings for Naomi Wu.

And he made a colossal fuck up by pushing her away.

Leon remained standing in front of the arch, unbudging, even as the door of the bungalow creaked open, and a woman sauntered out with a can of beer in each hand.