Not So Cinderella Story Part - 4
When Curiosity Unlocks Trouble
The depression crept deeper and deeper, draining energy for the simplest things. There were days when getting out of bed felt like an impossible task. Long calls with her dad gave Ana a brief boost of morale before being pulled back into a mire of apathy.
Intrusive social media algorithms listened in. Random spiritual healing posts and ads started to pop up, promising absolute enlightenment or quick fixes to all life’s problems. A beautiful image of an ancient Buddhist temple caught her eye. “Silence Speaks. Discover Yourself. Escape to Indonesia for a 10-Day Vipassana Retreat — no phones, no talking, just you and your innerself.”
Being an “all or nothing” type of person, Ana clicked “Book”, requested extended leave at her Munich office, and took off to Bali.
Her blonde head kept sliding against the bus window as she dozed off on her way to Pura Tirta Empul, a sacred Balinese water temple nestled in the lush hills of central Bali. Believed to hold healing power, its crystal-clear holy springs revive the body and spirit, cleansing off all the burdens and negative energy.
By the bus stop, a delicate local woman in her sixties stood waiting, hands pressed in a prayer position.
“Om Swastiastu, Miss Ana?” The Balinese stepped closer to the group of guests stepping off the bus.
“Yes, that’s me. Ana. Hello, nice to meet you.” Ana also folded her arms in a prayer position with a nod— but the woman pulled her into a soft embrace instead.
“Welcome to Bali, Miss Ana. I am Dewi, and I will be your personal mentor on your Vipassana journey. First we go to the temple for a prayer together, and then I will show our center.” Her smile was illuminating so much kindness and warmth
Ana walked behind Dewi and was immersed in a fascinating atmosphere. The sunrise was awakening nature and illuminating the massive dark stone structures elegantly decorated with moss. Traditional Balinese pavilion and the spring pool veiled in a gentle morning haze. Surrounded by lush green forest, palm trees and virtuoso bird melodies. Everything around radiated tranquillity.
The Vipassana Center was just a few miles away from the temple. Dewi showed Ana her room and explained the rules. All guests had to hand in their phones, laptops, and books for the entire stay. Daily schedule was pretty straightforward: wake up at 4:00 AM , about 10 hours of meditations, 2 vegetarian meals per day, and Dhamma talks. Noble Silence is the key aspect of the Vipassana experience. No talking, no eye contact, no gestures for 10 days.
After a long trip Ana slept most of the day and managed to get to the evening meditation. A light blue linen kaftan looked stunning on her, highlighting slate-blue-eyes and blond hair. She paired it with wide white pants.
The meditation hall was minimalistic and spacious with a high, wooden ceiling supported by white beams. Turquoise meditation cushions were neatly arranged on the clean white floor. Ana settled at the far corner, people started to pour in. She could not believe her eyes when Ryan walked inside the hall. Dressed in all white, head shaved, he looked like he had lost a few pounds. Ana quickly looked away at the floor, since eye contact or gestures were prohibited. He recognized right away her petite figure and short blond hair.
Vipassana meditation is all about self-observation and cultivating awareness of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations without judgment.
During the first few days, Ana’s thoughts swarmed around Jeremy and her hurt feelings. Day by day she would realize that it was meaningless to be hooked to the past. Everything that happened in San Francisco was shaped by her experience and knowledge at the time. You can’t throw punches after the fight-what’s done is done.
Every meditation Ryan sat by her side - a challenge for both of them, since there was a lot to say.
Onсe, Ryan threw Ana a playful glance and winked. They both chuckled quietly, like school children sharing a secret joke in class. Over those days, an unusual connection formed between them. Without words, without glances, they could still share emotions with one another. Both were already looking forward to the last day of the Vipassana experience.
On the tenth day, they gathered at the temple courtyard pool for a purification ritual, known as "melukat" — bathing in the healing waters to let go of the heaviness, the hurt, and all the energies that no longer served them. Emerald silk cloth wrapped around Ana’s sun kissed body with a narrow red sash. Under water pouring from the temple's spouts, she stood like a goddess, hands folded in a prayer; soaked silk clinging to her skin, emphasizing the silhouette of her refined figure.
“Ana! Finally we can talk! OMG what a surprise!” Ryan came closer to her drying himself with a towel, watching Ana changing her soaked emerald silk cloth.
“Ryan! This is insane, what a coincidence!” Her blue eyes sparkled in a special way. She looked at him with a heartfelt, radiant smile.
He gently opened his arms for an embrace. This was a completely different Ryan — no perfect hairstyle, a rough stubble on his face, and wrinkled linen clothes.
“I know… come give me a hug!”
They stood barefoot on the ancient stones of the temple, holding each other close, with so much to say.
The feeling of closeness freaked her out. It was too much, too soon. She took a step back and slipped out of his embrace.
“We should head back to the center. I still need to pack my things...” she said avoiding eye contact.
Ryan, looking like someone caught off guard, nodded.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. Let’s go.”
Ana got her mobile back. There were sweet messages from her parents, and numerous missed calls from an unknown international number. She decided to call back. A male voice picked up the phone.
“Ana! I have been trying to reach you!”
“Jeremy?!” Ana asked, stunned.
“Yes, that’s me, I am in Asia now-Cambodia. Come over to me, I will arrange everything.” He went on as if nothing had happened.
“But you are supposed to be in the UK, prosecuted for a crime, how-?” she could not even finish, before he cut in, as bold as ever.
“I am not stupid to go to jail, I did nothing. So are you coming or not?! I missed you.”
Ana paced back and forth in her room.
“No, Jeremy, I am not going anywhere. I wish you, Rebecca and your baby all the best. It’s over, Jeremy.” Tears streamed down her face as she fought to keep her voice composed.
“Oh, so this is how you want it, ha?! No more big love?” Jeremy snapped from the other end, but all he heard was her heavy breathing.
“Fine! Just be careful in Bali. Accidents happen, you know!” He hung up.
To be or not be continued…