Jalisa is already up in the bathroom when Merlin wakes up the next morning. Although they’ve spent plenty of time getting to know each other in the past weeks, the relationship still feels very new. Merlin’s not sure if she’d be okay with him just walking into the bathroom on her right now. He decides to take the chance…
Merlin: Good morning…
Jalisa: *soft smile* Good morning
Merlin: I was about to make breakfast. Are you hungry?
Jalisa: Yeah…but not for food.
Merlin knows exactly what she means. He goes over to her, and it’s on all over again. It’s a good time to multitask. Jalisa begins kissing him and pulls him into the shower with her.
After some shower woohoo…and working up an appetite, Merlin goes downstairs to make breakfast, and Jalisa finally takes some time to look around the bungalow. She spots a hot tub on the balcony connected to the master bedroom. That excites her…without their costumes, they can actually use it. She finds Merlin in the kitchen…
Jalisa: There’s a hot tub on the balcony.
Merlin: Oh yeah?
Jalisa: Want to get in…after we eat?
Merlin: I was thinking we’d better head out early if we have any hope of seeing the jungle while we’re here. The later we wait…the warmer it’ll be.
Merlin places eggs on toast on the counter and grabs a plate.
Jalisa: *unenthused* Oh
Merlin picks up on the disappointment immediately.
Merlin: I mean…we don’t have to go. I know it’s not exactly your thing.
Jalisa thinks about it a moment.
Jalisa: No. We can go. We can’t come to Selvadorado and not at least see the jungle, right?
Merlin: We don’t have to.
Jalisa: I want to and I know you do too.
Merlin is still not convinced, but he lets it go and gets up to clean the kitchen. Jalisa stops him.
Jalisa: You did the cooking. I can at least do the cleaning.
Merlin: Okay, sure, …thanks.
Merlin and Jalisa head back to the marketplace to buy supplies for the trip into the jungle. First, they stop by the Statue of Madre Cosecha in the plaza. Jalisa says a short prayer in the native language, then translates it for Merlin’s benefit…
Jalisa: *repeats prayer in simlish* Please keep us safe from the animals, bugs, and heat…especially the bugs because I know there will be a million of them.
Merlin: We’ll buy bug spray.
Jalisa: *slightly sarcastic* But is there animal and heat spray too?
Merlin: *chuckles* Let’s go and see…
The nearby vendors don’t have much to offer, so Merlin buys what he can.
Jalisa: *worried* Um, why is there fire quencher? What are we about to walk into?
Merlin assures her that everything will be okay as they leave for the Belomisia Trailhead.
Jalisa: *staring into the distance* Oh My Watcher…all I can see are trees! How are we supposed to get through them?
Merlin can tell that she’s afraid.
Merlin: We don’t have to do this. I promise that I’m okay with turning back.
Jalisa: No…I trust you. I know we’ll be okay.
Merlin: *pulls her into his arms* That’s right! I’ve got you babe. I’ll never let anything happen to you!
Jalisa smiles…not only because she feels reassured, but because it’s the first time Merlin has called her babe.
Merlin walks over to the overgrown trailhead and begins hacking away at the vines and bushes.
Merlin: You’d think they’d keep this better maintained. I’m sure it gets a lot of use.
Jalisa: Maybe it all just grows extra fast.
Merlin: You’re probably right…
After a fair amount of effort, Merlin manages to clear a path…allowing them to get through. Unfortunately, he loses their only machete in the process. They emerge into a clearing.
Jalisa: It’s so pretty!
Merlin: It’s unbelievable. Let’s take a look at what we found.
They jog until they reach a long bridge.
Merlin: Holy crap! Now that’s what I call a bridge!
Jalisa steps closer to the bridge and looks down.
Jalisa: It’s so high up.
Merlin: Are you going to be okay crossing it?
Jalisa: Are you?
Before Merlin can answer, Jalisa takes off running across the rickety bridge.
They get across the bridge with no problems, but suddenly Jalisa begins to feel strange.
Merlin: You okay?
Jalisa: I think I might be a bit afraid of heights after all.
Merlin: Anybody would be afraid of that. It’s terrifying.
Jalisa: Is it okay if we head back now? I’m not really feeling this.
Merlin: Of course! Without the machete…we can’t get much further anyway.
Jalisa: *relieved* Good. I was scared of letting you down.
Merlin: You aren’t letting me down. Besides…I’m looking forward to seeing you in that hot tub.
Jalisa loves the sound of that. They turn and make their way back across the bridge.
To be continued…
28 Blind Date Summaries | read from the beginning
