Chapter 4 - Echoes of Experience: Luna's Lessons in Love

After their date at the botanical garden and their first kiss, it had become very difficult for Samir and Estrella to stay away from each other. Although Estrella was quite busy with her parents' restaurant, she tried to escape as often as she could to spend some time with her new lover. 

She was mesmerized by the beauty of the young man. Samir's black curls, always a bit messy, framed his face in a way that mirrored the untamed spirit within him.

In him, Estrella found a captivating blend of passion and gentleness. His eyes, deep pools reflecting the hues of the Mediterranean, held a quiet intensity that resonated with her soul. The subtle lines etched around his eyes spoke of laughter shared under countless stars. His fingers, calloused by the strings of his guitar, were surprisingly tender when they traced patterns on her skin. Samir's voice, both in conversation and when he sang, possessed a melodic quality that wrapped around Estrella like a familiar song, soothing the restlessness within her.

Beyond the surface, Estrella admired the way Samir navigated the world with a certain fluidity, embracing change and uncertainty. His nomadic spirit, grounded in the love for his craft, offered her a glimpse into a life less tethered. Samir's openness to share his vulnerabilities, like the complexities of his family dynamics, made Estrella feel seen and understood. As their connection deepened, she discovered a partner who encouraged her to pursue her dreams, much like he pursued melodies that echoed the rhythm of their shared moments. In Samir, Estrella found not just a lover, but a kindred spirit inviting her to dance to the music of life. He was so certain that Estralla was capable of many things, that she was starting to feel more confident, and to dare thinking about achieving some of her craziest dreams. 

On a sunny day, Samir and Estrella found themselves on a secluded patch of grass, a makeshift picnic spread between them. The air was filled with the savory aroma of local cheeses and the rhythmic melody of nearby waves.

Samir, his eyes twinkling with appreciation, surveyed the picturesque scene. "Estrella, your hometown is like a painting. I've never seen anything quite like it."

Estrella grinned, savoring the compliment. She used to be ashamed sometimes about her hometown, and about the fact that she hadn't really been anywhere else compared to a lot of her school friends. But with Samir, it was different. She actually enjoyed sharing it with him and had become the best local guide you could think of. "It's a gem, isn't it? I'm glad you're finding inspiration here."

Samir chuckled, reaching for a grape. "Inspiration? More like being captivated by the beauty sitting right in front of me."

Estrella's cheeks flushed, and she playfully swatted his arm. "Oh, please. You're just saying that to make me blush."

Samir caught her hand, his gaze sincere. "No, really. Altea is stunning, but it's you who makes it truly special."

Estrella's eyes widened in surprise, and she looked at him with a mix of curiosity and delight. "What do you mean?"

She needed to hear more, know more, understand. And to be reassured. The reality of this new relationship was still difficult for her to believe. 

Samir took a deep breath, his fingers gently tracing patterns on the blanket. "I mean, every corner of this town is picturesque, but none of it compares to the beauty I find in your laughter, the warmth of your smile, and the way your eyes light up when you talk about the sea."

Estrella's heart fluttered, her eyes locked onto his. "Samir..."

He interrupted her with a tender smile. "I've been around, you know, I have seen incredible places, but none of them felt like this until I met you. It's like I've been searching for something, someone, and now I've found it."

Estrella blinked, a mixture of shock and joy on her face. She did not except Samir to be so blunt and to tell her something so beautiful. She had spent so much time fearing, expecting the end of their relationship, that she was stunned by such a declaration. 

"Samir, I... I don't know what to say."

He leaned closer, the setting sun casting a warm glow around them. "You don't have to say anything. Just tell me, Estrella, where have you been?"

As he spoke, Samir closed the distance between them, and their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss. The world seemed to pause, and in that moment, the unspoken feelings between them found a voice in the language of shared emotions.

When they finally pulled away, Estrella wore a radiant smile. "Right here, Samir. I've been right here."

***

The sun was starting to set, casting a golden glow over Estrella's picturesque coastal town. Her long dark hair tied up in a loose bun, expertly navigated the terrace of the restaurant with a tray of steaming seafood paella balanced on one hand. At her side was Luna Garcia, red curls bouncing as she laughed and chatted with the customers, effortlessly charming them into ordering another round of sangria.

"Estrella, mira!" Luna called out, pointing towards the horizon where the last streaks of sunlight painted the sky in hues of tangerine and magenta. "The sunset is almost as beautiful as you tonight!"

She winked, happy to see her friend blushing. Luna simply loved to embarrass Estrella. 

"Oh stop it, Luna!" Estrella replied, smiling at her best friend as they continued to serve the clients of her family's bustling seafood restaurant, Mariscos Marquez. The pair had grown up together in this Spanish village, sharing dreams of adventure beyond these familiar shores and promises of always supporting each other no matter where life would take them. Luna was often there, an extra hand for the family restaurant. Whether it was helping her father, Miguel, in the kitchen or greeting customers at the front, she played a vital role in the daily operations. She tackled tasks with efficiency, contributing to the preparation of the restaurant's signature dishes that embodied Altea's culinary tradition. Beyond her practical contributions, she brought a lively energy to the place.

"Hey," Luna whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer to Estrella as they cleared plates from a recently vacated table. "How are things going with your new friend?"

Inwardly, Estrella's heart skipped a beat at the mention of her recent encounter. Samir Benali, a sound engineer and musician hailing from a different cultural background, had been a breath of fresh air in her life for the past weeks. He had decided to stay in Altea for a bit after the festival, officially to work on new music and rest before an upcoming tour - but Estrella was spending quite a lot of time with him as well. His French Moroccan roots coupled with his passion for music lent him an irresistible aura that drew her in like the tide to the shore.

"Things have been good… mostly," Estrella admitted hesitantly, her gaze flicking to her parents who were busy attending to other guests. In their traditional household, dating someone of a different culture was frowned upon. Well, dating someone at all was frowned upon. And as much as she liked Samir, she was reluctant to go any further in the relationship, and to tell her parents who she was seeing. She was also afraid of the intensity of Samir, of her feelings for him, and of the reality of this relationship. 

"Mostly?" Luna raised an eyebrow, her concern for Estrella evident in her sea-green eyes. "What's been going on?"

Estrella sighed, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the embroidered tablecloth. "I don't know… my parents are just so set in their ways. They probably would not approve. I am not ready to face their reaction, I am afraid to hear it really. And what if Samir leaves and never looks behind? He is a musician, quite talented. He could be anywhere, so why would he choose to stay in Altea?"

"Ah," Luna nodded, understanding dawning on her face. "But you know, maybe you should trust your parents a bit more. They just want you to be happy, Estrella. Come on, they're not that bad. Miguel has his days and can be a bit grumpy, but they simply want the best for you my dear. I feel like you are hiding behind the excuse of their reaction to deny your own feeling... And for Samir, of course he could go anywhere, but you are a pretty good reason to stay around! Look at me!"

A gentle breeze caressed their faces as they stood there, the scent of salt and seaweed mingling with the aroma of grilled seafood. Estrella's thoughts swirled like the waves crashing against the nearby cliffs, her blossoming feelings for Samir battling with her desire to please her family and to do the right thing.

"Maybe you're right," she murmured, a determined glint igniting in her dark chocolate eyes. "But all of this is so new… And I don’t know what Samir thinks about all of it. Maybe I am just imagining things. It is way to early to tell my parents: what if Samir does not stay longer, what if he leaves and we never talk to each other again? All of this for nothing."

As the last remnants of sunlight disappeared beneath the horizon, Estrella thought about how her encounter with Samir had already changed her so much. They had only hang out a few weeks, but talking to him was cutting her links to Altea, setting her free and ready to travel the world. 

Later this evening after the end of her shift, Estrella's heart swelled with the rhythm of the sea as she stared out at the azure waves, their hypnotic dance mirroring the tumultuous emotions within her. She felt Luna approach from behind, the familiar scent of wildflowers and sunshine enveloping her like a comforting embrace.

"Estrella," began Luna, her voice soft yet steady. "I've noticed you seemed really preoccupied all evening. Is it because of our discussion earlier? Are you still thinking about it?"

"I am," Estrella admitted, her eyes never leaving the horizon. "It's just... Samir and I have been hanging out for almost a month now, and things are getting more serious. At least for me. I mean, maybe it is too early, but I am really catching feelings." Her voice wavered slightly. "But I can't help but feel like we're worlds apart sometimes, Luna. His life is so different from ours, and I don't know if that's what I want for my future. I know that he won't stay here forever, and I understand. And I am really tired of lying to my parents and separating my life like this."

"Have you talked to him about this?" Luna asked, concern lacing her words.

"Kind of," Estrella sighed, her fingers absently playing with a lock of her dark hair. "I just wish I could have more experience and know what to do, Luna. There's so much I want to live, but I am paralyzed by the idea of disappointing my loved ones."

"Estrella, you deserve to be happy and to feel confident in this relationship, but you have to express yourself and your needs. You're young, and you have every right to explore what life has to offer," Luna said earnestly. "You remember my ex, Alejandro? He cheated on me, and it broke my heart. But through that pain, I learned that I deserved better, and I wouldn't settle for anything less. So you see, it is okay to make mistakes. It is not always going to be easy. And you can't really do worse than Alejandro, she laughed."

Estrella turned to face her best friend, tears glistening in her eyes. She did, in fact, remember this bastard. It had taken Luna several months to feel better, and Estrella was furious that someone so little could hurt such a beautiful soul. She would never forgive him and was grateful that this man was now out of their lives. For good.

"Luna, I... I'm afraid. Afraid of losing Samir, of losing my bond to my family, but also of losing myself. And I don't know how to navigate these feelings."

"Trust yourself, Estrella," Luna whispered, her hand reaching out to gently squeeze Estrella's. "And remember that I'm always here for you, okay? Happiness isn't something we can find in someone else—it's something we create within ourselves. Ok, one more inspirational quote: You have the right to make mistake. I'll always love you and I will always forgive you. Except if you start dating Alejandro."

Estrella laughed and nodded, her gaze returning to the ocean. The twilight sky seemed to hold all of her dreams and fears, its vast expanse a mirror of her own yearning for adventure. And as the last rays of the sun disappeared beneath the waves, she knew—with Luna's support—that she could find the courage to face whatever life had in store.

"Now back to business, Estrella. Let me ask again: Have you talked to Samir about your feelings?" Luna asked, her voice gentle yet pressing.

"Not really," Estrella admitted, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I've always been so bad at expressing what's inside of me, you know this. I should probably stop assuming that people can read my mind."

"Maybe that's where you should start," Luna agreed, her hand resting reassuringly on Estrella's shoulder. "Communication is key in any relationship, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. You need to let him know how important your dreams are to you and set boundaries to ensure that your needs are also met. I'm sure Samir is smart, Estrella, but he can't read your mind. Tell him how you feel, and what you want. You guys will go from there."

Estrella contemplated Luna's words, her fingers still toying with the seashell. The ocean seemed to murmur its agreement, urging her to listen to her heart and embrace whatever path it led her on.

Estrella said, a newfound determination sparkling in her eyes. "I'll talk to Samir."

As they continued their walk along the beach, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows upon the sand like memories of past and future adventures. And as the first stars began to twinkle above, Estrella knew that she could face whatever challenges lay ahead, so long as she had Luna by her side.

Luna nodded, her vibrant red hair catching the warm glow of the setting sun. "Sometimes we just need someone to listen and help us understand what we're feeling," she replied, her eyes scanning the horizon.

"Thank you, Luna," Estrella whispered, her heart full of gratitude. "I couldn't ask for a better friend."

"Neither could I," Luna replied, her voice thick with emotion.