The Gates of Heaven

CAUTION: Reader discretion is advised.

1.1 The Crow

Sandy lanes filled with layers of water reflecting the grey clouds in the sky, from rains that dump and go, often called the infidel’s rain because...

1.2 The Crow

I was lying on top of the white tiles newly laid in this room which I renovated recently with a new bathroom with baby blue tiles. I plan to lease...

2.1 Isla de Los Varados

I reached Salt Waters in Point East rather known as Virile Waves to the surfers. Those waves roll half a mile from the shore reached by boat on small...

2.2 Isla de Los Varados

“Look! Do you recognise that girl?” Murry cut in pointing at a group of joggers running up, “She is Amelia. Damn! She’s stripped to her briefs!” “...

2.3 Isla de Los Varados

My mother belongs to Casadina, an island in the northern tip of the archipelago. She gave birth to her first daughter in 1960 and divorced that man...

3.1 Star of The Sea

I pulled out one of the surfboards placed by the wall behind the bed and took off for a ride. I caught a few good waves with Asmr and Simon. On one...

3.2 Star of The Sea

I took shower and to ease my mind I got engaged with repairing a kitchen cabinet in the refurbished floor. Around eleven-thirty, a group of girls...

4.1 The Doors

It was late afternoon, I listened to Shalin talking in the lawn with her family and the east wing occupants. Her brother brought a team of guys and...

4.2 The Doors

In a matter of days, Shalin’s family settled, bills paid, rent paid. There were two guys: a school-going boy and her own brother. They probably slept...

5.1 In The Storm

It rained into the second half of November with scattered showers and unpredictable. I climbed the rooftop on an attempt even more pathetic. I...

5.2 In The Storm

I could tell by the sound of the key turning and unlocking the doors, which door from the two wings was opened while I sat in my kitchen-office...

6.1 Guesthouse

My door was fitted with a full sheet of textured glass. I could see light outside and make out shapes in a blur. Tuesday afternoon, I sat on my bed...

6.2 Guesthouse

Sophie grabbed a pair of sunglasses and a digital camera. Threw a towel over her shoulders and got out to the terrace. A wooden deck with a plastic...

6.3 Guesthouse

We climbed down the ladder and hurriedly got into the hot tub and took bathe in perfumed water. She patted dry and grabbed the phone to call the...

7.1 Thru the Fire

Thirty minutes later, we were dressed and rain ceased just on time. Sophie wore a long-sleeved orange shirtdress, white bell-bottoms and high heel...

7.2 Thru the Fire

Sophie Nadz addressed the attendees, “Alright, we are gathered here this evening to renegotiate on the matter of the exchange of lots where I dispute...

8.1 In the Deep

I heard those bangs on the door loud as thunder. I opened my eyes buried in naked skin of a soft woman. “Mish! Shoppie! Mish!” “Stay calm! Don’t open...

8.2 In the Deep

I got dressed without even washing and zoomed on my motorbike up the Havana streets to Orange Hill taking Camino Costero in the rush hour. I couldn’t...

9.1 On the Rock

Sabo popped at the door to my kitchen quarter office, “Kawla! Do you mind if I cut some branches from the drumstick tree hanging over the roof?...

10.1 Black Orchid

2008 was a wet year and a good year for most of us. I fixed an air-condition unit in my cubicle last year but not too satisfied with it because it...

10.2 Black Orchid

“Asmr! I don’t want to annoy this good lady. She is a grandmother. Why now? I think I can call you mad.” “Damn well I am! How the hell can you come...

10.3 Black Orchid

The Bight of Azul begins from Salt Waters along the northern coast of white beach. Sunrise Villa is located at this point in Point East on Calle 1...

11.1 Go Fish!

I took my cool and sat back to listen to the voices of the east wing girls. It was Caribbean Cup Final played in Kingston, Jamaica, at Independence...

11.2 Go Fish!

For a moment, we sat talking and drinking while watching football. Next moment, I remember kissing and hugging by the counter. She picked my hand and...

11.3 Go Fish!

We crossed the wet soil to find a suitable spot in the breezy front under the tall coconut palms. There were few beach lovers sitting around in small...

12.1 Wall of Doom

Winds picked up and sand blew in our faces. We had to leave the beach at that point around ten. Reaching the parking lot I said goodbye to her, “I...

12.2 Wall of Doom

One, two, three, four hours passed. My legs were screaming and my bums warm and sleek on a straw mat. I could hardly sit still. There were no stars...

12.3 Wall of Doom

Perchance, I could catch a glimpse of motorised activity on the coastal road from half a mile distance if a whale washed up. I decided to climb the...

12.4 Wall of Doom

I grabbed a flash and pulled on a windbreaker. On the way, I was wondering how young she could be. Sophie Nadz said she was fifty-one in my last...

13.1 Arena Roja

I went to Iceberg café for breakfast and to watch television, rather to listen to folks talk about the events unfolding in Arena Roja. Main entrance...

13.2 Arena Roja

The blue gate of Ferris Wheel opened and Sophie stepped out wearing a falda and a white sleeveless blouse with her tits sandwiched in the tight...

13.3 Arena Roja

I could not reply at once. I was in a shock. Then I remembered what Asmr said. Don’t stir the dream. Let it flow. At this point it was pretty...

14.1 Lockdown

It was a long day. I came home and tried to call Asmr and Jokey. Oh shit! Where did I leave my phone? I did not know where I left it. Most probably...

14.2 Lockdown

“So!” I gasped, “What do I do with Sophie?” “Why don’t you go in and hit the buzzer? Find out if she’s up there,” ridiculed Half Tone. “You think I...

14.3 Lockdown

If I remember correctly, that was a Tuesday and the Wednesday night would be New Year Eve. On Tuesday they raised the alert level to YELLOW and we...

14.4 Lockdown

I ran through my gate to pick my motorbike key. She ran towards her gate to get rid of that overall. I came out, grabbed my bike and pushed it to the...

14.5 Lockdown

And there was somebody on a bicycle stopping by my motorbike as I turned around. “Kawla!” he negotiated, “Is it you?” “Hi!” I returned blankly. “It’s...

15.1 Luna Mar

Next morning, I woke up around four and had a fast breakfast on bread and jam, two eggs and coffee at my kitchen-office cubicle. I turned on my...

15.2 Luna Mar

Few days later, he passed me an address of that firm on Avenida Medio, in the Florina half, in quarter mile walking distance from Huvafen. I located...

15.3 Luna Mar

On the following day, I rode to Nativa to join the beach cleaning team. We prepared the beachside for this ceremony to take place next evening after...