Chapter 3 – Chathurika

 

 

“Madam, would you like your welcome drink here or by the pool deck?” the owner asked.

“Pool area, please.” Tatiana wanted to feel that breeze a little longer.

She sat at a small table under a garden umbrella, watching the sunlight dance on the pool’s surface. She couldn’t wait to change into a swimsuit and feel the sun and water on her skin.

The owner soon returned with a tall glass of something pinkish-red.

“What’s this?” Tatiana asked.

“Guava and strawberry drink, Madam.”

“Thank you.” She took a sip, and her eyes widened. “Wow. Amazing.”

The woman smiled modestly.

“What’s your name?” Tatiana asked.

“Chathurika. Everybody calls me Chathu.”

“Do you run this place alone?”

“Yes. I have the driver when I need help from a man.”

Tatiana smiled at that answer. “He said you own this place.”

Chathu shook her head with a laugh. “No, Madam. It’s my father’s. He got it from his father, and he from his father… like that.”

“I think the word you’re looking for is inherited,” Tatiana said, her lips curling into a teasing half-smile.

Chathu tilted her head. “What?”

“Never mind. So, where’s your father now?”

“At our house.”

“Home,” Tatiana corrected softly.

“Yes, home.”

Chathu gestured toward the villa. “I changed this into a villa and rent it.”

Tatiana stop correcting Chathu anymore and try to understand what she means. She leaned back, impressed. “Great. I love strong women like you—women who build something for themselves, without depending on others.”

Chathu shook her head quickly. “I’m not that strong, Madam. I get help from the driver when I can’t lift heavy things.”

Tatiana gave a small, amused laugh. “No, I meant mentally strong. And trust me—you’re probably physically stronger than you think, too.”

Chathu blushed slightly at the compliment.

---

Tatiana finished her drink, still watching the ocean beyond the pool. The calm, the warmth, the tropical air—it all felt like a world away from Moscow.

Chathu returned with a set of forms, and Tatiana filled them out quickly.

“Your room is ready, Madam,” Chathu said, leading her upstairs.

Her bags were already there when she entered. The room was simple but clean, with a queen-size bed, an attached bathroom, and a window framing a perfect view of the sea.

Tatiana stood at the window for a moment, watching the waves. Yes, she thought, this is exactly where I need to be.

The room smelled faintly of sea breeze and clean sheets. She stepped toward the window and pushed it open, letting warm salty air rush in. The sound of distant waves felt like a slow heartbeat, syncing with her own.

For the first time in months, she allowed herself to exhale, really exhale. No weapons, no radio in her ear, no orders to follow. Just the ocean.

After settled in to the room and having a wash, she unzipped her travel bag and pulled out a carefully packed swimsuit collection. She rarely wore these—not because she didn’t like them, but because her life didn’t give her the chance. Her fingers stopped on the blue bikini.

“Hmm… this one,” she said to herself, almost smiling. The color reminded her of the ocean outside, and maybe—just maybe—she wanted to look like she belonged in this paradise.

Tatiana stood in front of the mirror, holding the blue bikini in her hands for a moment before slipping it on. It had been months—maybe longer—since she’d worn something like this. Her life had been all combat boots, tactical gear, and bruises. Seeing herself now, with bare skin catching the soft indoor light, felt almost strange… but in a way that made her smile.

She turned slightly, checking her reflection from the side, then the back. The bikini hugged her curves, despite being a tough soldier, yet there was something undeniably feminine about it. She placed a hand on her hip, letting her weight shift to one leg, and tilted her head with a half-smile.

"Not bad, Tatiana… not bad at all."

She wasn’t trying to impress Chathurika or any other guests in the villa or on the beach, but she knew how women looked at other women, how they noticed details men often missed. With that little smirk still on her lips, she stepped out, letting the warm air kiss her skin as she headed down to the pool.

Tatiana stepped out onto the pool deck, the golden sun washing over her skin. The blue bikini caught the light, making her look almost like she was carved out of sunlit marble. Her long legs moved with the natural grace of an athlete, every step controlled, strong—yet there was softness in the way, like a woman remembering how to enjoy being admired.

Chathurika, who was arranging some poolside cushions, looked up—and for a second, she forgot to move.

"My God… she looks like… like an Amazon queen," Chathu thought, her eyes widening just a little before she quickly looked away to avoid staring too long. She had seen many tourists in swimsuits, but this woman was different—taller, stronger, yet so elegant. It was the kind of body she had only seen in movies or on magazine covers. Her mind almost whispered, "This is what strong confident woman look like."

Tatiana caught Chathu’s glance, and for a fleeting moment, a shy warmth crept into her cheeks. "She’s just looking… nothing more," Tatiana told herself, but still, she adjusted the strap of her bikini top as if to make sure it sat perfectly. There was a quiet thrill in being seen, and though she wasn’t trying to impress Chathu, a part of her liked the idea of looking beautiful in the eyes of another woman.

Chathurika gave her a polite smile, hiding her awe behind professional courtesy. “Madam, you look… very nice,” she said simply, because she didn’t know better words in English for what she really thought.

Tatiana smiled back, half-playful, half-shy. “Thank you, Chathu.” She stepped closer to the pool, feeling the heat of the sun on her skin, but instead of pulling back, she let herself enjoy it.

Her long legs shimmered with droplets of water as she slowly dipped into the pool, stretching her arms gracefully with the ease of someone used to movement and control. Tatiana floated on her back for a moment, letting the sun warm her face.

When Chathu returned with a tall glass of bright tropical juice, Tatiana was stretched on the sunbed, her damp hair glinting in the light. Chathu handed it to her, and Tatiana sat up, taking a sip.

“Mmm… this is amazing.” She closed her eyes and smiled. “Chathu, you might make me stay here forever.”

Chathu laughed softly, sitting down on the edge of another sunbed. “Many tourists say same. Sunset, ocean… very easy to love.” She glanced toward the beach, where surfers were catching the last waves of the day. “You like surfing? Tomorrow, if you want, I can arrange.”

Tatiana watched the surfers, her eyes lingering on the women riding the waves with perfect balance. “Not tomorrow. I don’t wanna do anything tomorrow. —just this sunbed and that ocean. But on a later day, Yes, surfing sounds fun.”

Chathu nodded enthusiastically. “And scuba, whale watching, swimming with turtles… Many things here.”

Tatiana looked thoughtful. “What about a bike? Can I rent a bike to ride around?”

“Bike? Yes, many shops. Most tourists take scooter. Easy to ride.”

Tatiana smirked. “Hmm… I’d rather have a muscle bike.”

Chathu blinked, confused. “Muscle? Bike has muscles?”

Tatiana laughed, shaking her head. “No, not real muscles. A muscle bike means a big powerful bike” She made a revving motion with her hand, and Chathu’s face lit up in understanding.

“Ahhh! Yes, I know now. Some shops have big bikes. Not many, but I can ask for you.”

“Perfect,” Tatiana said, leaning back on her sunbed, feeling more at ease by the minute.

---

As the sun sank lower, Tatiana sat up and glanced toward the villa. “Chathu, I think I’ll eat here tonight. Too tired to go out. Can you arrange a dinner?”

“Yes. Seafood is best here. Very fresh. But… you want spicy or not spicy? Some tourists cannot eat our spicy food.”

Tatiana grinned. “I want to try the local way. Give me spicy.”

Chathu tilted her head, a little doubtful. “Local spicy is very strong. But I will make it… little less. You will still feel heat.”

An hour later, Tatiana came back in a loose short dress, her hair still damp from her shower. Chathu had set a small table outside, candles flickering in the evening breeze. The smell of garlic, curry leaves, and chili filled the air.

Tatiana sat and took her first bite, and almost immediately, her eyes watered slightly. She laughed, fanning her mouth. “Oh wow… you weren’t joking, Chathu. This is… hot! But so good.”

Chathu smiled knowingly. “I make it softer for you. Real Sri Lankan spicy is more strong.”

Tatiana chuckled between bites. “Then I’m glad you didn’t give me the full version. But this… I love it. Best seafood I’ve had in a long time.”

Chathu beamed at the compliment.

As they ate, they talked more. Chathu admitted, “You are very different from many tourists. You… feel strong, like you can do anything. I think… you are happy to be alone.”

Tatiana looked at her for a moment, then smiled softly. “Sometimes being alone is the best way to find yourself. But… this place makes it easy to enjoy.”

Chathu hesitated, then added, “You like countryside? My home is there. Little far from town. There is a waterfall… very quiet. We can swim there. If you want, I can take you.”

Tatiana’s eyes lit up with interest. “A waterfall? That sounds perfect. After a lazy day tomorrow, let’s do that.”

Chathu nodded happily. “Good. You will like it.”

Tatiana looked out at the last traces of sunset, the surfers still out in the distance. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly at peace.

After the great dinner and the warm conversation, Tatiana felt a sense of comfort she hadn’t experienced in months. She and Chathurika exchanged a soft smile as they wished each other good night.

“Good night, Madam. Sleep well,” Chathurika said, her polite tone carrying genuine warmth.

“Good night, Chathu. And thank you… for everything,” Tatiana replied, meaning every word.

She walked back to her room, the cool sea breeze brushing against her skin as she closed the door behind her.

Inside, she had a long, soothing wash, letting the warm water run over her tired muscles, washing away not just the travel fatigue, but a little bit of the heaviness she had been carrying inside. She changed into a short satin nighty,  and sat on the bed for a moment, breathing deeply.

It wasn’t just the comfort of the sstin fabric; it was the way the entire evening had felt—the good food, the laughter, the easy conversation with Chathurika, and the warmth of this place. For the first time since Oksana’s death, Tatiana felt something close to peace.

When she finally lay down, the sound of the waves outside was like a gentle lullaby, pulling her into a deep, dreamless sleep. No nightmares. Just rest.