I waited outside the motel for Malea and Inoke to pick me up. It had been only an hour since I've parted with them at the terminal.

My parents always told me to steer clear of strangers, but I was in a new place with no one who I knew. They were the closest thing to friends that I had on this island.

I had to take a chance, otherwise I'd be sleeping on the streets, and that was one situation I wasn't going to risk.

A few minutes later, they pulled up to the motel in a red sedan, and I couldn't be happier to see them saving my butt.

Malea waved to me as she got out of the passenger door in the back and walked toward me. Inoke also got out and opened the trunk of the car. In the driver seat must be someone in their family.

"Nice to see you again, Mia. I'm so glad you called. We were just about to head back home."

"Im glad I caught you then. I'm so sorry to trouble you and Inoke."

"Don't worry, young lady. You are in good hands," Inoke said, walking over. "Here, let me help you." I handed him my luggage. "Oh, by the way, this is Kelii, my oldest son."

Kelii waved to me from the car with a smile. "Nice to meet you Mia."

Kelii looked to be in his fifties. He had a strong build and dark brown hair. Also a tan complexion just like every one here who I had met.

I waved to him with a grin. "Pleasure to meet you sir. Sorry to trouble you."

"Don't worry about it. We Tahitians try to help out whenever we can."

Sitting in the backseat of the car with my luggage in the trunk, my only hope was that I wasn't being kidnapped.

"I can't believe that happened to you, Mia," Malea sat next to me in the back of the car. "Both your rental car and your room. I'm so sorry your vacation had to start like this."

"Same here, but it's okay. I just hate to bother you guys after your long trip."

"Don't worry about anything. We'll get you a nice place to stay while you're here. Kelii, didn't you say your son was away for a competition? Could Mia stay at his place?"

"Yes, she can stay at his place. He won't be back for a month," Kelii responded.

"That's perfect then."

"Are you sure he'll be ok with it? I wouldn't want to intrude into his personal space without his permission."

"He'll be fine with it," Ikone said. "He always listens to what grandpa has to say. Or we just won't tell him."

We all laughed. I liked Inoke's sense of humor and Malea's motherly instincts.

Kelii drove south along the island of Tahiti and then crossed over into another island connected to the main island.

It was golden hour when we reach their home in Teahupo village. I stepped out of the car onto the dirt driveway, taking in the beautiful sight around me.

There were wooden home on pillars that were built to the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The lush green mountains stood in the background adding to the mystical feel. This scene reminded me of the movie Moana.

"Welcome to our home, Mia," Malea said as she watched me admiring everything.

"Your home is beautiful. I'm speechless."

She smiled. "The rest of the family is out at a bonfire tonight, but we'll get you settled in and you'll get to see them tomorrow morning. Our grandson's house is just down a few houses."

Inoke and Kelii took out my luggages from the trunk.

"I'll see you guys tomorrow," Kelii said as he got inside the car. "I'm going to pick up the family at the bonfire. Nice to meet you again, Mia."

"Thank you, son, for the ride," Inoke said to his son.

We waved to Kelii as he drove away, back to the dirt road where we came from.

"Come on, dear," Malea said to me. "You must be tired after such a long day."

"Just a little, but my excitement is through the roof by seeing where you live."

Malea and Inoke both smiled.

We walked down the dirt road until we came upon a tiny brown wooden house that stood away from the rest of the homes toward the water and mountain side. It had a front porch with two chairs by the side.

"Here we are," Malea said. "Everything should be all set for you already. Here's the key."

She handed me the key. It was hooked onto a brown leather keychain with the initials — K.V.

I accepted the key from her. "Thank you again so much for your hospitality."

"We're just glad to be able help you out. There's nothing to worry about here," Inoke assured. "Our family and friends live in the other homes around us." He pointed to a house near us. "Kelii, my oldest son, lives in that home there." He pointed to another home not too far away. "My youngest son Kai and his family lives there."

"I'll leave you ladies here. Malea will take care of you, Mia. Welcome to our island home."

"Thank yoi Inoke." I grinned back at him.

"Good night." Inoke walked away.

"Good night."

Malea turned to me. "Okay, let's go inside and I'll check and make sure everything in the house is good for you."

I nodded.

Malea unlocked the front door and opened the door for me. I grabbed my luggage and stepped inside carefully as Malea walked around the little cozy house turning on all the main lights.

There was a small living room on the right and a kitchen off to the other side. There was stairs past the living room that led to what looked like a small loft area which I guessed was the bedroom.

"Sorry, my grandson's so messy sometimes. He's so busy with school and surfing, he hardly has time to clean up after himself." Malea started to pick up the little things like tools and clothes that were all over the place.

"It's ok, Malea. You don't have to tidy it up just because of me. I don't mind it at all."

"You're too kind, Mia." She had an arm of clothes in her hand as she continued to pass around the living and kitchen. "That boy is going to get an earful when he returns."

"How old is your grandson?"

"He's just a little older than you. He's 23, turning 24 in February." With the pile of clothes, she headed to the stairs. "Upstairs is the bedroom and where you can sleep."

I grabbed my luggage and followed after Malea on the stairs. Once we got up to the loft, she threw the pile of clothes into the closet right at the stairs entrance.

The full-sized bed stood on the left side of the room with the foot of the bed to the stairs. To the right corner was the bathroom. There was wooden bars along the edge of the loft protecting someone from falling to the first level.

I watched as Malea tidied up the bedroom, scoffing here and there to herself. Then she took a set of new sheets, pillows, and comforter from the closet. To help speed things along, I helped her pulled off the old white set and put on a new light blue one.

"Everything should be all set for you. There should be soap and shampoo in the shower. Do you need any toothbrush or toothpaste?"

"No, I have mine. I should be all set. Thanks again!"

"Okay, I'll leave you to get some rest. It's been a long day for you."

"You as well, Malea. We've all had a long day."

I walked her back down to the first room and before she opened the door to leave, she remembered something. "I almost forgot. You probably haven't even anything since we got off the plane."

"I haven't but it's really okay, Malea. It's late and I have some snacks in my backpack."

"Don't worry about it. I'm going to head back and whip up something quick for you. It'll be your first Tahitian dinner. Why don't you wash up and I'll be right back." She smiled and left in the blue hour outside.

What did I do to deserve this generosity? They've all been so kind to me.

With the door closed and locked behind me, I turned to head back upstairs until I noticed a white surf board hanging on the wall of the living rooms. I couldn't tell how much it was but it definitely looked like an expensive one.

Back on the loft, I placed my luggage at the foot of the bed and laid down on the sheets, all the strength that I had leaving my body. This has to be one of the longest day ever.

I took out my phone from my pocket and replied to all my messages (my parents and friends asking if I made it) and listened to my voicemails (half from car rental and motel).

After a few minutes of laying down, I decided to take a shower. I took out my body wash and shampoo and headed downstairs to the bathroom on the first floor. The bathroom was small but just perfect size for a person of one.

When I finished showering, I fumbled in my luggage for the white silky pajamas that I had pack.

A knock came sounded on the door and I went downstairs and from the window noticed that it was Malea holding a tray with food.

"I'm going to leave this tray here on the kitchen table," Malea said after I opened the door for her.

"You didn't have to, I had some leftover snack that I could eat," I replied as she stepped inside and placed the tray of food on the little wooden table in the kitchen. The food smelled delicious.

"This is Hawaiian chicken with coconut rice. One of my grandkids' favorites. Enjoy. I'll leave you to rest now."

"Thank you so much again. Malea."

I bade her a good night and then sat down to eat the meal prepared for me. It was delicious as the aroma. The chicken was grilled perfectly and the coconut rice was fluffy and soft. My first meal in French Polynesian didn't disappoint.

When I finally got into bed after eating and brushing my teeth, I noticed a picture frame on the nightstand. I looked closer and noticed a family of three sitting on a sofa—a dad (he looked very much like a younger Kelii), a girl (who looked about eight or nine), and a teenage boy.

I slipped into the left side of the bed and pulled the duvet over me. Turning to look at the picture again, my attention focused on the boy. His silver blue eyes stood out prominently against his light brown skin.

I wondered if he was the person with the initials K.V.

As I thought the idea, I drifted away to sleep.

.....

As my eyes adjusted to the morning lights filtering through the white shades, I looked up at the ceiling, wondering where I was.

While still laying in bed, I turned my gaze towards the windows and noticed a face close to mind.

Was this a dream?

He was soundlessly asleep on his stomach, both arms over the pillow, his top half shirtless.

I watched him, studying the prominent features of his face. Tan complexion. Long dark lashes and thick eyebrows.

His short and messy brown hair fell around his head like waves.

Who was this stranger next to me?

This was such a good dream. One I had never had before.

All of sudden, he shifted slightly, and his eyes slowly opened to meet mine.

In those silver blue eyes, I could see the whole ocean.

Then I realized I had seen those familiar eyes from somewhere before.