Sunbathing in Zanzibar

"Guess what? Lia probed 

"What?" Casa answered 

" You will be on leave at the same time as the boss! His started yesterday apparently." 

" Nooo, " Casa cried. " Work will be paradise without him! I should go when he is in. How did we not know this?"

" Well, you will be in paradise too girl. I wish I could afford the trip to Zanzibar too. We could have gone together," Lia added. 

" You did choose a husband and kids over freedom…" 

The two women laughed. 

" Did you say that the resort has a nudist beach? I bet that's why you are going all the way!" 

" Shhhhhh… it's a secret," Casa shushed her friend. " We don't want the local government to crack down on that do we?" 

" How did you even find such a beach all the way in the tropics? You nudies!?" 

" Shhhh," Casa shushed her friend again. " Open secret…" she laughed. " You do know that there are online communities about everything imaginable where people share info don't you?" she added. 

" And where do you think the boss is going?" Lia asked.

" Probably London to waste our hard-earned money on renaissance art, blond-haired models and expensive champagne, instead of giving us a raise!" Casa replied her eyes popping in exaggerated anger. 

The two women laughed again. 

" Lucky blond-haired woman. The guy is a catch!" Lia added.

The two women laughed louder. 

It was Friday afternoon. The clock wouldn't run fast enough as Casa dreamt of rushing home to finish packing for her trip the next day. 

During her flight, she hoped she would meet a handsome man to have a nice holiday fling with for the eight days she was going to be in the resort. If he shared her love for nude sunbathing even better! He would be a gem to find! 

The resort was even more beautiful than the pictures had portrayed it. Casa arrived at night which allowed her to have a nice meal before she blacked out after a fourteen-hour journey with one connecting flight. 

She was woken the next day by the beautiful sounds of singing birds as the tropical sunlight penetrated her room. She rose, drew the curtains and relished going to the beach she saw at a distance and basking in that sunlight. 

At breakfast, she asked the waiter where she could find the no bathing suit section of the resort. The waiter hesitated for a second before calling the supervisor who engaged with Casa. 

" I am told you are looking for the special beach bibi…? the supervisor asked

"Yeeees…" 

"What's the secret word?" 

"Ficha" Casa answered. 

" Ok," the supervisor seemed satisfied with the answer. "Follow the path that leads to the regular beach. At the beach bar, tell the person attending there that you wish to go to Kwazu and they will guide you." 

" Kwazuu?"

"Yes Kwazu," the supervisor replied

Casa finished her tropical breakfast and followed the instructions she had been given. On her way, she relished the sweetness of the crisp fresh juices, fruits and vegetables that the waiter said had mostly been grown at the resort. 

At the beach bar, a jet ski was called to pick her up, the rider took her to what seemed like a tiny island further away from the resort and hidden behind a huge cliff. From a distance, she could see that some enthusiasts had already laid down their towels and were basking in the mild East African early morning sun. 

She thanked the rider, took her bag from the jet ski and walked to the beach to find a spot for herself. From the waves running on her feet, she could tell the water was still cold. 

She laid down her towel, applied sunscreen on her body and unstrapped her bikini bra before removing her shorts. She reapplied more sunscreen on her entire body and then basked. When the water was a little warmer, she would go in for a swim. 

Every so often, Casa could hear the Jet ski riding in and out of the shores dropping or picking enthusiasts. Sometimes she would look up curious about what they looked like. She still hoped that in the next few days, she could spot a handsome one to share the holiday with. 

She felt so free and whole as she basked in the sun and wished that this holiday would go on forever. She always felt that clothes were a hindrance to her. She scratched and fidgeted anytime she was home and fully dressed. For work, she chose short-sleeved and armless blouses. 

A few times while at the beach, she sent some pictures she took of the beach view to Lia who sent back pictures of her pretending to be super miserable at the office. 

When the sun got hotter, Casa moved to the shade provided by the row of large palm trees before going in for a swim. 

After a few swims and more basking, Casa wished to go back to her room. She planned to come back in the evening. She approached the man who had laid his belongings a few metres next to hers. He must have done so while Casa was in the water. 

" Excuse me Mr," Casa asked the sunbathing man who was facing the ground. She tried not to look directly at his naked body. This was the unwritten rule on such beaches. " How do I call the jet ki to take me back to the resort?" 

The man hesitated for a moment. It's as though he had not heard her. He then turned and looked at her visibly startled. 

" Casa!?" he asked

" J… Jon!" Casa stuttered. 

Right in front of her sunbathing, was her boss.