5. MY FIRST 6 DAYS AT SEA

And so, the sailing began. The very first thing I felt on the ship was something I had never experienced at home-a complete sense of freedom. I had no responsibilities here. No household chores, no deadlines. I could sleep all day if I wished and stay awake all night. It felt like life has given me a little break, and I was ready to enjoy every second of it.

Every morning, Smith would gently wake me up and we would have breakfast on bed, talking endlessly. I never get tired of repeating to him how happy I was. After breakfast, my favourite spot was always the bridge, where I would spend hours watching the vast, endless sea.

Meals were another adventure. Lunch was in the officer’s messroom, where I interacted with the officers, slowly getting to know their routines. Evenings, though, were the highlight of my day. Smith and I had a ritual-tea on the bridge, watching the sun melt into the horizon. I loved watching the sky transform from blue to orange, then pink, purple, and finally black, as the first star appeared.

The excitement on my face during those sunsets always made Smith smile. The ritual of evening tea while watching the sun set is something I still carry with me whenever I sail.

At night, Smith and I would talk for hours. I would ask endless questions about the ship, and he would patiently answer each one of them. Those conversations made us feel as though we were falling in love all over again.

One day while I was one the bridge, I spotted a pod of dolphins dancing at the bow of our ship. I screamed in excitement, “Look Dolphins!” But nobody else seemed interested-it was just another normal sight for the officers. For me though it was magical. After that day, I would wait every morning, hoping to see them again. Sometimes I was lucky, and sometimes I was not, but the anticipation itself became part of the joy.

I witnessed so many wonders of the sea in those six days. Flying fish gliding over waves, giant turtles migrating to breed, and even two perfect rainbows after a sudden shower. Each time, I reacted with childlike wonder, screaming with joy, and Smith could not stop laughing at me.

Yet deep inside, he was happy because he knew I was living the dreams he once promised me during our courtship days. Back then, on long phone calls, he had said, “One day, I will take you sailing. You will see flying fish, dancing dolphins and full rainbows with me.” To see those words come true felt surreal, like a romantic dream unfolding in real life.

For four days, we did not see a single other ship- just us and the ocean. On the fifth night, I noticed a faint light on the horizon and asked the Chief Officer about it. He said, “That’s a ship.” My mind instantly connected it to a Bollywood movie scene where tiny floating lamps(diyas) shine on a still pond. The little light on the middle of the vast ocean felt just as magical.

Finally, on the sixth morning, land appeared. On the port side (the left side of the ship) I could see Malaysia, and on the starboard side (the right side), Indonesia. We were heading towards Singapore. After days of endless water, watching the first glimpse of land was unforgettable.

Those six days at sea gave me more than just new sights-they gave me a deeper bond with Smith, a heart full of wonder, and memories that will stay with me forever.