SUMMER LOVE

January 5, 2022. The day in Dubrovnik is cloudy, but warm. I am sitting in the coffee bar “Fashion” in Lapad. I often sit here writing books and stories while drinking coffee. I have been writing since I was a very young.

This bar is good. It has a large tent that protects it from wind and rain. I know some people who frequent this bar. They often come and sit with him.

I drive a Bolt taxi, but there is no work in the winter. Almost every day I sit in a cafe where I write. After that in the afternoon I walk in Lapad.

I spent all my life on the sea. I was officer and captain in merchant marine. Naw I am retired since my age of sixty five.

I am married with two married daughters and four grandchildren. I have one grandson and three granddaughters.

This is a story of Antonia and me. I love the girl who is much younger than me. Still my feelings for her are so strong.

On Christmas night 2010, Dubrovnik’s old town was drenched in rain. In the “Trubadur” bar, a merry company celebrates Christmas night. They sing a troubadour song.

In the middle of the city silence

And the beauty that fell asleep

A soft guitar is heard

Beautiful music of the night…

Some people are dancing even though the bar is very narrow. Generally, the mood is at its peak. Bar tender Mario offered a round of free drinks for everyone.

- Pero… he said. — Do you want a beer on the house…?

- Oh no…? I answered. — I already had several…

- Take another one… Mario insisted. — It’s Christmas night… –

- Good, but I’m leaving soon… I added.

- Well… asked Mario. — We just started the party

- It’s close to eleven… I answered. — I already drank a few beers…

Mario placed a glass of beer on the bar in front of him.

- Captain is leaving us… he told the others.

- So… Josko asked. — Now the mood is good…?

- He is going to dance somewhere else… said Mirjana. — Most likely in “Rose Bar”…

- He is too old for “Rose Bar”… added Josko. — Young people’re only there…

- He will look for young girls… said Lenci. — For sure…

- I see… said Josko. — He’s an old bastard…

- No… I said. — I have some friends there…

Josko is one of my best friends. We were often together. He is a seaman like me, actually the chief engineer.

After a while, the company continued to sing the troubadour song.

If you went to sleep

Good night my dear

This company is coming

To sing a song for you…

Soon I finished the beer. I put on my coat.

- Good luck… said Joško. — Meet a beautiful girl…

- Thank you… I added. — Have a nice time tonight…

I was passing through Stradun, drenched in rain. Since I couldn’t open the umbrella, my hair got wet. The rain was falling on my face which made me feel even worse.

. I still wonder why I left “Trubadur” bar. I had a good time there. But I was driven by something I could not fathom. Some unnatural power was stronger than my will.

- Pero, how do you celebrate Christmas? The driver asked.

- Good… I added. — I was in the “Trubadur” bar…

- How was it…?

- Beautiful… I said. — I had good company there…

The taxi stopped in front of “Rose Bar”. I went out. Entering the bar delighted me. Disco music is playing. All the young people in the room are dancing.

I tried to get through the crowd, but it was very difficult. Soon the waiter brought me a beer. Disco music fills the room. The whole bar is imbued with dance magic.

It was really cheerful in “Rose Bar”. The dancing mood captured the young people in the bar.

I was not happy to be alone. I moved a little further on. None of my friends are here. I recognized the three girls I knew. I started dancing with them.

The girls are cheerful and good dancers. They surrounded me. I dance fast. From time to time I lower my body low to the floor.

I am captivated by music and dance. I knelt on the floor which attracted the girls so much. They are doing a dance show around me. I dance on my knees with my arms high above my body.

. Young people in the bar celebrate with music and dancing. I still dance on the floor influenced by the mood in the bar. The whole place is dancing to the disco beat. The great mood in the bar attracted me.

A group of boys and girls invited me to dance with them. They dance on a slightly higher part of the bar. I soon joined them. One of the girls taught me how to swing a little. I twist my arms to the rhythm of the rock. My cheerful company is captured by the mood of the dance.

I rested a bit. I ordered another beer. All around me is a dancing crowd. Disco music breaks out. The mood in the bar is great.

Suddenly I noticed a girl waving at me in the lower part of the bar. She is in the company of two other girls. One of them is really beautiful and sexy. I was very attracted to her extraordinarily exposed breast. I soon joined them.

- She wants to meet you… said the girl who waved her hand at me. She pointed to a girl nearby.

- Good… I answered. — I’ll come to you…

I went down to meet them. The girl in the middle turned me on.

“She’s beautiful…” I whispered. “Extraordinary…”

Brown hair frames a lovely face. Black eyes show incredible beauty. The girl is smiling at me.

Another look at her delighted me. She wore a lace blouse that showed the beauty of her ample breasts.

- I’m Pero… I said.

- Antonia… the girl added.

The other two girls said their names. Ines is a brownish, slender girl with a sweet smile on her face. Ivana is a blonde, lovely girl.

The music is loud and captivating. Pero dances with the girls. Antonia’s beauty shines before him.

“She’s so sexy…” I thought. “Pretty girl…”

“I know her, but from where?” I thought.

“Her face’s so beautiful…” Her black eyes laughed at me.

Young people dance around us. The mood and music in the bar amused me. A beautiful girl Antonia is dancing in front of me. After a while he fell in love with her.

After a while Paolo joined us. He is my friend, much younger than me. He met the girls, but soon left.

I was left alone with the girls. Dancing and twisting my body amused me a lot. My gaze is mainly focused on Antonia. Her beautiful face, beautiful eyes and lovely smile attract me. I am very happy to look at her breasts and lovely, sexy body. I can’t believe such a wonderful girl can exist. Every part of her is so sweet and adorable. Perfectly chosen clothes show all her beauty.

The next morning I woke up with the image of Antonia in my mind. The night spent in “Rose Bar” was incredibly pleasant for me. I fell in love with a beautiful, young girl.

“I have to meet her again…?” I thought. “She’s so attractive…”

I am impressed with the details of last night’s party. My thoughts are particularly occupied by the beautiful girl Antonia. It makes me happy to know that I am in love again.

“Antonia…” I thought. “I have to remember the name…”

That same evening I went for a walk. Antonia’s beautiful face is constantly on my mind. I came to “Cult” after sometimes. Some of my friends were sitting at the bar.

- I met a beautiful girl… I said. — Last night here…

- Sure… added Mato. — What does she look like…?

- Beautiful face… I said. — Black eyes…

I thought for a moment.

- She’s very sexy… I added.

- Good… said Stiepo. — What’s her name…?

- Antonia… I said.

- Do you have her phone number?Zoran asked.

- I don’t… I added. — It was so noisy here…

- It’s a pity… added Robert. — Could you meet her again…?

- I believe I’ll meet her sometime, I said.

I feel comfortable sitting with friends. I didn’t notice Antonia in the bar. My thoughts are occupied with her most of the time.

I looked through the bar a few times but did not see her cute face. I was afraid I would not recognize her again.

-”Antonia…” I thought. “Where’s she tonight…?”

I was not sure if I remembered her face well enough. I was glad to know that she was unusually beautiful.

I dream of her every moment of the day. Her cute face and lovely body are on my mind all the time.

“I must meet her,” I thought. “I’ve to do it…”

I left “Rose Bar” late that night. I liked the short walk to the car. The coldness of the night refreshed my body. The disappointment that I didn’t meet Antonia discouraged him.

The next day was similar.I was again with my friends in “Rose Bar”. Her face was constantly in my mind. I have to meet her soon.

- Have you met your girlfriend? Stijepo asked me.

- No…

- It’s a pity… added Robert.

- I believe I will meet her… I said. — Sooner or later…

They happily talk. My gaze searches for Antonia around the bar. The image of her sweet face occupies my mind almost all the time.

I didn’t see her at the bar tonight. But where could she be. I was tormented by the idea that I would not see her again.

The coldness of winter affected my mentality. I believe that love is stronger at this time of year. How could I love a girl so much? I only saw her once that night. It was Christmas night.

“I love her so much…” I thought. “Incredibly…”

I remembered I had so many girlfriends in my life, but I had never loved a girl so passionately. There must be something heavenly in this love. Her sweet vision never leaves my mind.

“Where could I meet her?” I thought. “Where…”

Days passed, but I never met Antonia again. I usually sat with my friends in “Rose bar” and other bars, but I never saw her again.

Every day I dream of her sweet face and sexy body. More than anything I want to kiss her sweet lips.

“Antonia…”. I thought. “I want your lips…”

Her sweet look appeared before me again.

“Antonia…” I whispered. “Where’re you now…?”

For New Year’s Eve, I was in the old town with my friend Niko. The celebration is really good. The main street of Stradun is teeming with people. The night is cold, but dry.

A stage was built under the bell tower with the clock. Nano sings with his group, mostly Dubrovnik songs. A troubadour song echoes through Stradun. Everyone is dancing on the street.

“On the streets of my city

Troubadours sing

Guitars are heard

In the clear night of the city…”

- Really good music… said Niko. — I didn’t expect this kind of party…?

- Nano is a good singer… I added. — Very funny guy…

I was pleased to spend a happy night with my friend Niko. I sing and dance on Stradun. Antonia’s character came to my mind many times.

- Antonia… I thought. — Where’s your sweet face?

The happiness of the New Year has passed, but I haven’t met Antonia. My love is still incredibly enthusiastic. I wondered how I could feel so much for a girl I barely knew.

Dreaming about her often gave me some kind of pleasure. I kissed and caressed her in my dreams.

“I need you my love…” I thought. “ I want you…”

In the evening I was usually in “Rose bar” with my friends. I was inspired by the expectation that I would sometimes meet her there. Unfortunately, I didn’t see Antonia on any of those days.

“Antonia…” I thought. “My sweet love…”

My dreams became more enthralling. Her vision is often close to me. In the cold winter days, I longed for Antonia, but I never saw her again. I spent most of the evening with my friends. Antonija was still firmly in my feelings and soul even though her face was fading day by day. I’m afraid I’ll have a hard time recognizing her again.

“But the name…” I thought. “I have to remember the name… Antonia…”

Antonia took a part of my soul and my daily meditations. I found a place for her in my life even though I was married.

“Antonia…” I thought. “My true love…”

Antonia’s image was becoming pale, although I didn’t like it. The long winter days were sad without her sweet face. Her sweet smile and lovely eyes were gone.

********************

I’m sitting in the “Fashion” cafe. The January day is cloudy but warm. I usually drink coffee here while writing my manuscripts in notebooks. From time to time some of my friends join me at the table. Later I will walk along the promenade in Lapad. I do this every day if it is not raining. There, I meet some friends again on the course.

Here in Dubrovnik, the winter is mild. From time to time, the northern wind “Bura” blows. Then the air temperature can drop. It has been a few years since it snowed here. The last snow was a big attraction in the city. The southerly wind “Jugo” usually blows here. It brings hot air and rain to our regions. Sometimes the wind brings sand from the North African deserts. Then all the streets and cars turn white.

I am trying to describe the love story of Antonia and me. The two of us are an unimaginable couple. Antonia is a young, beautiful girl, and I am already old. Easter day is warm and happy. I celebrate the holiday with my family. I have two married daughters and three grandchildren. It is fun to be in their company. I especially like playing with my grandson and two granddaughters.

It was a really fun night. So many young people are caught up in rock music. I danced with happiness with the girls nearby. The mood in the bar is wonderful. Suddenly I noticed a lovely girl near me. She is in the company of another girl. Dancing with her delighted me. The other girl mostly stood nearby.

The girl in front of me is so attractive. Her black hair falls down her shoulders. I looked at her face for a long time.

“I know her, but from where…”

“Her face is really beautiful…”

Her beautiful brown eyes smile at me. I still couldn’t remember where I met her.

“I know her for sure…?”

Her wonderfully sweet face is framed by long, dark hair. Her black eyes are the special jewel of her face. My eyes explore her beautiful figure. Her dress shows off her beautiful breasts. Her brown eyes look at me. I noticed a slight smile on your lips that wants to tell me something.

“I know her…?”

“Brown face and sweet eyes…”

After a short dance the girl left. She joined another girl nearby. The next day I wondered who the girl I danced with last night was. I am still captivated by her sweet smile. I just woke up after a long night at the bar.

“I know her eyes and face?”

A vision of a girl came to my mind several times.

“She’s so beautiful!”

Her sweet face was framed by wavy hair. Her black eyes watched me intently.

In the evening, I walked along Lapada. I thought of the girl from the party at “Rose Bar”. “Who is the girl…?”

“She’s the same girl from the Christmas party…?”

“Antonia…”

Now I was sure I had seen her again. I wondered how I didn’t remember her better. I saw her again at the Easter party in “Rose Bar” around midnight.

She must live somewhere not far from me. I probably met her in the city but I didn’t recognize her.

How many times have I been to “Rose bar” but I didn’t notice her. She could sit at the table next to me.

Days passed, but I never saw Antonia again. I was in “Rose Bar” almost every night, but I didn’t see her there.

Spring has sprung with its hot days. I haven’t seen Antonia for a long time. One evening I was walking near the bars on the same street where “Rose Bar” is located. I noticed a beautiful girl sitting in company in front of “Cristal Bar”. “Who is the girl…?”.

I wanted to go to her, but she was surrounded by friends. The girl is really beautiful. It was Antonija, but I didn’t recognize her.

In early spring, I swam in “Luc Beach”. Only a few people were sunbathing there.

The sea is cold, but I am used to it. The water temperature is most likely fourteen to fifteen degrees Celsius.

I was sunbathing when two girls came. They lay on the sand sunbathing in bikinis. The girls looked familiar, but I didn’t know how.

- Hey, don’t you swim…? I said.

- It’s still cold… one of the girls answered.

- Yes…

I went swimming again. It is really cold. Unfortunately, I could not swim in such cold water for a long time. I returned to the beach.

I noticed a tattoo that one of the girls had on her back. I believed I had seen it before. I wasn’t sure where I knew the girls from, though.

After sometimes the girls left the beach. I was left alone on the sand.

“Did I see them in “Rose Bar”?

“Could be…”

“Where’s Antonia…?” I wondered. “She is the most beautiful girl.”

“I love her…”

“How can you love a girl you don’t even know?”

“She’s beautiful…”

The next day I was alone on the beach. The day is sunny. I swam a lot, but the sea water was very cold. I know how to get into the water. So I can swim in the cold sea.

One former sailor, the captain, used to come to the beach. His name was Pero. He passed away a few years ago.

- Ive a thermometer… he said.

- Good… I added.

- I will check the temperature of the sea, said Pero.

Soon he put the thermometer in the water. After a while he checked.

- Fourteen degrees… he said.

- Oh yeah…

- I found thirteen degrees here, he said. — This winter…

I often swim in winter when the days are sunny.

- I saw you here on the beach, I said to Pero.

- Oh yeah…

- Someone said, you were the captain, I said.

- Yes…

- What is your last name? I asked. — I was a captain too..

Pero said his last name.

- I know you… I said. — I sailed with you…

- Sure…?

- I was a “Student” on boards “Plitvice”, I said. — There were three of us there.

- Alright…

- You were the second officer, I said. — We sailed to Vittoria in Brasil.

- I see…

During the summer holidays, the students of the Nautical School in Dubrovnik sailed on the boats of the local company “Atlantska plovidba”. So far that summer I sailed on the ship “Plitvice” to Brazil and back to Rijeka. My schoolmates Vlaho and Slavenko were with me.

I met Pero on the beach almost every day if it was sunny. Pero was retired. He was walking in that area in the afternoon.

After a day or two, the girls from before came to the beach again. There is another girl with them. She has dark hair.

The girls were sunbathing on the terrace. I swam even if the sea was cold.

- Are you going to swim? I asked the girls.

- Not yet… one girl answered. — It’s too cold.

I sat down on the terrace near them.

- This girl is Indian… said one of the girls.

- Look at her skin…

- Oh yes… I added. I looked at the brown haired girl.

The girl was really brown-skinned. I knew the girls were joking with me. The girl was beautiful, I realized. I looked at her once more.

After talking with the girls, I went swimming. The sea water is really cold. I entered the water up to my stomach. My upper body is more sensitive. After some time I jumped into the sea. I swam along the beach for a while.

The girls stayed to sunbathe on the beach. I rejoined them after the swim. The girls were friendly. They loved talking to me. After a while the girls left. I was left alone on the beach. I glanced at the girls who had moved away.

- Antonia… I said quietly. — She is Antonia…

- Oh my God… I wondered. — Antonia…

The girl was Antonia. I didn’t recognize her at first.

The girls were already in the car. I was so surprised. At least I met Antonia. I’m happy. I jumped into the sea again. The sea water is really cold.

I recognized Antonia. Oh, what a great event. I swim by the beach. I was happy all day. In the evening, I walked along Lapada.

I walk around the city every evening. It's a kind of recreation for me. The night is beautiful. I met some people on the street. Sometimes I talk to them.

I passed by "Cristal Bar". Suddenly I noticed Antonia there. She is sitting with another girl.

It was Ines. The girls were always together at the Saturday parties in "Rose bar". The bar windows are open. Two boys are on the street in front of the girls, talking to them.

I passed them. I walked a little further forward. Suddenly I sat down on a bench near the road. " I'll be back..." I thought.

I soon got up. I returned to "Cristal Bar". The girls were still there. Two boys were talking to them through the open window.

I entered the bar. I sat down at the table next to the girls. The waiter brought me a beer.

The grls near me are talking to boys. I took a sip of beer. Antonia is close to me. What to do? Antonia is busy communicating with the other boys. She doesn't even look at me.

Today was a miracle on the beach. I recognized my love. Her sweet black eyes looked at me. I believe I will never forget them.

Nothing special happens here in the bar. The girls only talk to the boys.

"Oh, she's so cute..." I thought. "I want her in my arms".

I'm still sipping beer in "Cristal Bar". The girls are still talking to the boys. I decided to leave.

I looked at Antonia once more. She is so beautiful

January 7, 2022 Today is Serbian Christmas. The day is cloudy. The sun rises every now and then.

I have been a sailor all my life. I've been around the world several times. I'm retired now.

Writing has been my hobby since childhood. I often write in bars. While I'm writing, some friends come and talk to me.

I often walk in Lapad. The new promenade is very good. I meet my friends there from time to time.

I often remember my first meeting with Antonia. It was in a cafe. I am actually a captain in the merchant navy. Since I came on vacation, I met my friend Luka several times. Each time he wanted to introduce me to a friend who worked with a very good shipping company.

At that time I had a permanent job on tankers. I did not want to change the company. Luka was an engineer. We once sailed together on a roro vessel. I agreed with Luka that I will come to the cafe in Lapad tomorrow. Luka will call his friend from there.

That is when I saw Antonia for the first time. She was sitting in a bar with another girl.

"She is beautiful...", I thought. "Beautiful eyes."

Antonia smiled at me. I had enough. Her beautiful eyes looked at me.

That was our first meeting. Luka was our magical connection. It was a kind of telepathy. I did not see Antonia after that. I was in "Rose Bar" several times, but I did not see her there. Maybe I would not be able to recognize her even if she was so specific and beautiful.

One Saturday evening I was walking with Niko in Lapad. "Rose Bar" was open. There were a lot of young people there.

- Let's go in... said Niko.

- Alright…

In "Rose Bar" I saw such fun for the first time. It was usually a quiet place where I used to drink beer. There were a lot of young people that night. We entered the bar. There was a real crowd there. We ordered drinks.

Most of the people in the bar were young. We were surrounded by beautiful young girls.

- What kind of place...? said Niko. - So many beautiful girls...

- Oh yes... I added. I took a sip of beer.

Niko could not stay in the bar because of the smoke. He left after some time. I was left alone.

Young people are dancing around me. There are many dancers on the dance floor in the middle. I am in the upper part of the bar. I can see the whole place from there. I ordered another beer. Young people are dancing all around me.

I have been in the bar for over an hour. Anyway, I liked the party dynamic there. Suddenly several girls came near me. One of them sat down on the sofa opposite me. The girl is beautiful. Her black eyes attract me very much.

I sat down on the sofa opposite.

- Hey... I said. I waved her hand.

She did not respond. She just looked at me. The other girls in her company stayed nearby. I smile at the girl. I try to talk to her. She remained silent and serious.

The party is great. The music is good. Young people dance around. The girl remained sitting in front of me. After a while, the other girls came to get her. Shortly after they left. The girl was Antonia. I didn't recognize her.

It was the second time I met Antonia. Only later I realized that it was her.

I often walked at night. From time to time I stopped in "Rose Bar" for a beer. Antonia was often in my thoughts. I imagined her in my arms. I kiss her mouth. I dream that we are walking together through the forest. I cut the violet and added it to her. She smelled it.

- What a wonderful smell...? She said. - I like that…

I took her hand in mine. We are walking on a forest path. The intoxiciting smell of the forest captured us. The love song of Aphrodite is heard. The two of us in love on a forest path with the music of forest fairies. Blue eagles of love soar across the sky to celebrate our happiness.

It was Saturday night, when I decided to go to "Rose Bar". I will probably find friends there.

I got dressed for the evening. Otherwise it was not cold. I believe tonight will be a good party there.

I entered the bar. I went towards the dance floor. Many young people dance to hot music. I was alone surrounded by young people.

Suddenly a girl appeared in front of me. She immediately danced.

I accepted her dance. We danced to fast music.

After a while the girl left. I thought about who she was. The girl was so beautiful. I fell in love with her face and eyes.

Time passed and I did not see the girl again in the bar. She disappeared somewhere in the crowd.

It was Antonia, but I did not recognize her. She came to dance with me.

********************

I keep thinking about Antonia. I am in love with her beautiful eyes. In the evening I went to "Rose Bar", but I did not see her there.

The following Saturday, I went to "Rose Bar" again. The party was there. Antonia came to dance with me. She smiled at me with a sweet smile.

I danced with her quite a few times, but I didn't know much about her. I met and understood her through dance.

At "Rose Bar" there was a party on Christmas when I met Antonia. She was in the company of two girls. That was the first time I really met her. Then she gave me her special smile.

I met her for the first time in a cafe, where I was supposed to meet my friend Luka. When I entered the bar, I saw Luka at the bar, where he was talking to some people. I decided to sit at a free table and wait for him.

I sat down at the next table next to the girls. I started talking to the girl, who was sitting next to Antonia. The girl was happy to talk to me while Antonia remained silent.

That time I was amazed at how beautiful Antonia was. I sat at the table and looked at her.

Christmas night in "Rose Bar" bar was so lively. I danced with Antonio, what a pleasure. She was with the girls, but she wanted to dance with me. She was so beautiful that night.

Antonia is often in my thoughts. I kiss her lips.

I imagined that we were walking through a blossoming meadow. It is a sunny, spring day.

- Antonia… I said. - Your smile is attractive.

- Thanks…

I picked some flowers and gave them to her. She kissed me.

Christmas night was the beginning of our love. Although I met her earlier, Christmas night was our simbol.

That is when our love first started. Since then I love her. Even though I had met her before, Christmas night was the real beginning of our love.

Some time later, when I recognized her on the beach, I thought that Ivan could be her boyfriend. After this meeting, I never forgot her.

Whenever I came to a party at "Rose Bar", Antonia would come to dance with me. In this way, our sympathy grew.

She was most often in the company of Ines and Nives. I saw Ivan with her several times in "Rose Bar". He was usually with his friends.

Antonia is. wonderful girl. Her eyes are impressive. They are sometimes black and maybe blue.

I usually saw her at "Rose Bar" on Saturdays, during the party there. She always smiled at me with her special attractive smile.

I tried to talk to her a couple of times, but I did not succeed. She always somehow avoided my suggestions. She was very successful in that.

At first I did not know that she had a boyfriend, which I found out later. In addition, Antonia was very stingy in her communication with me.

On Christmas, when we met, she wanted to talk to me, but the music was too loud. Then I just danced with her.

I go through all our meetings in my mind. Once in "Rose Bar" on a weekday, she sat down not far from me. I went to talk to her.

- Antonia... I said. - You're very beautiful.

- Oh yeah... she added. She showed me her special smile.

I wonder now if I wanted something more than her smile back then. I am not sure. I know that her smile satisfied many of my wishes.

January is usually cold and rainy here. I am sitting in "Fashion" cafe writing in my notebook. I usually write here when it is cold or rainy. Sometimes some of my friends sit with me. Today is sunny and hot, so you would not think it is January.

I was walking in Lapad last night. It was quite cold. During the day, I walk to the "Neptun" hotel and back every day. I usually go up the vertical street near the “Kompas” hotel to the upper road.

I met Antonia when she was twenty-six years old. Her beautiful eyes impressed me. She is a black-haired, slender girl. Her smile is the most beautiful jewel I have ever seen.

Antonia is far away now. She lives abroad. I only see her in the summer when she comes on vacation.

So much time has passed since I met her for the first time in "Rose Bar". She is no longer Ivan's girlfriend. She has not spoken to me since she left him.

She was so wonderful on Christmas night, when I met her at "Rose Bar". That image still occupies my mind.

I remember everything that happened that night. I danced with her for a short time.

Antonija became my obsession. I began to love her with all my heart.

She had a sense of dressing. Her clothes were always fascinating.

Ever since I saw her on "Lucky Beach" with two girls, I started to remember her face. Once later, when I came to the same beach, I saw her on the terrace with other girls.

It was early summer. The beach was almost empty. I walked to them.

- Hey... I said to girls.

They answered him. He noticed that Antonia was laughing at me.

I spread my towel a little away from them. I lay down in the sun.

Soon Ines waves her hand at me. - Come here... she said.

I went to them. I sat down on the terrace next to them.

- I love Antonia... I said to them.

- We know that... added Ines.

Antonia just laughs at me. I found her smile so cute.

- I'll give you Antonia's phone number, said Nives.

- Okay...

Soon, Nives wrote the number on a piece of paper. I took it in my hand.

- Oh no... said Antonia.

I did not understand why.

- Give me that... she said.

Soon the wind blew the paper into the sea. It swam on the sea and passed under the small bridge on the beach terrace. The sea current carries it towards the port of Gruz.

I wondered why that piece of paper caught my attention. There was something magical about it.

I often think about my feelings for Antonio. I imagine her somewhere next to me. Her sweet face shines in front of me as I kiss her.

I was once in disco "Revelin" with the friends. I saw Antonia a little further away from us.

I went dancing with her. She really impressed me that time. Her hair was curly. She often had such a hairstyle in those days.

After a short dance, Antonia sat down on the bench next to me. Our friendship began.

Although I am already old, my love for Antonio has increased. I often imagine her with me in the disco where we dance. Her gaze shines with wonderful diamonds of happiness, while her smile shows a bouquet of violets.

"I love you..." I said. "I love your eyes..."

“Thanks...” she added. Her voice came to me through the volume of the music.

This is just my imagination of the two of us together with the crazy rhythm of the music and the glare of the spotlights. She wears a golden crown on her head, while diamonds flash in the darkness of the disco.

“Oh Antonia...” I said. “You’re so sweet...”

"Thank you my love..." she added. She blows me a kiss.

Once while walking past "Rose Bar" I passed by the next bar. I noticed Antonia on the top terrace where she was sitting in company.

I decided to see her, so I climbed up on the terrace. I was looking for a table to sit near her company. I passed by her and she smiled at me.

- Antonia... I said. - How’re you doing?

- Okay... she smiled at me.

I noticed the young man at the end of the table, who looked a little angry. Later I found out that it was her boyfriend.

I went back to my table. My thoughts were occupied with Antonia. Although she was there next to me, I could not approach her.

Her smile was the most beautiful thing that time, like real diamonds of love. I imagined that we were in a garden of purple roses, the fragrance of which spread around us.

"She is as beautiful as a spring rose," I murmured.

Today is fine weather, just a little cold. The sun shines on Lapad. It is middle of January.

I'm still obsessed with Antonia, although she rejects me, I believe she still loves me.

I saw her on the "Beach of Dreams" last summer. I love her even though she doesn't talk to me. She doesn't respond to my love, even though I believe she loves me.

I remembered again when she sat in front of me at the party in "Rose Bar". I was standing in front of her between people in a crowded bar.

A beautiful girl sat in the seat in front of me. Her face was so attractive, framed by her brown hair.

I sat on the seat opposite her. Her beautiful eyes were so bright that time. I was amazed by her appearance. I was trying to talk to her, but she was not answering. She just looked at me seriously.

I met her on Christmas 2010 in the "Rose Bar". Then Ines introduced her to me.

More than eleven years have passed since then. Antonia is older now, but still beautiful.

I imagine that she and I are walking in a flowery meadow on a sunny spring day. Antonia saw a beautiful flower among the grass.

“A wonderful flowers there,” she said pointing with her hand.

“ Oh yeah...” I added. “ Violets...”

I picked violets for her. She smells them.

“What a beautiful smell,” she said. She brought the violets to my nose.

“Such a wonderful smell...” I added.

I took her hand in mine. We walked through our meadow of dreams full of fragrant spring flowers.

I often remember her from "Dream Beach" in the sunny days of hot summer. Once she was there with Ines. They were sunbathing on the beach terrace.

I lay down in the sun a few meters away from them. The day was very hot.

Antonia had a small dog with her. Suddenly it came to me.

I stroked the dog instead of Antonia. I felt that this animal loved me.

I tried to talk to Antonia, but she didn't want to. Only Ines spoke to me.

- Come to "Rose Bar" tonight, she said.

- Okay... I added. Soon after I went to swim.

The same evening I went to "Rose Bar". I saw the two of them sitting on the terrace.

I took a seat on the chair next to them. I talked to Ines, who was closer to me. Antonia was on the other side of the table.

Antonia laughed a lot with her special sweet smile. I loved her smile that night.

I saw Ivo and his friend sitting not far away. They were looking towards me. I already knew that Ivo was Antonia's boy friend. I noticed he was angry.

I decided to go to another bar so as not to cause problems here. Soon I left the terrace.

January is cold here. Today the north wind “Tramuntana” is blowing. Yesterday was even colder. The air temperature is eight degrees Celsius.

I am sitting in “Fashion” caffee. The bar is half full.

I was walking around Lapad just for recreation. The promenade is usually full of people, if the weather is nice.

The story between Antonia and I started on Christmas 2010. Then Ines introduced her to me.

I already knew her for about a year. I was drawn to her sweet smile.

I was walking alone and imagined that Antonia was with me. I hold her hand in mine. She smiles at me.

"Oh dear…" I said. "I love you ..."

We sat down on a park bench. I kissed her lips.

I imagined that she was with me on the bench. She is so beautiful. Her body is perfect.

The next day I went to the beach. I saw Antonia with her boyfriend there.

I sat down on the dock away from them. Soon Ivo came and insulted me. I got up trying to talk to him. Suddenly he punched me in the face.

I tried to stay as cool as I could. I moved to the other side of the beach. I noticed that Antonia was arguing with him.

I understood that Ivo found out that I was on the beach with Antonia and Ines. I noticed it when I was in the "Love Bar".

I realized that I had to avoid Ivo. I need to avoid fighting and other troubles.

I dreamed about Antonia every day. I often thought about all our meetings since I first saw her in the coffee shop. When I recognized her for the first time on the beach, I never forgot her. Over time, I understood that she was Ivo's girlfriend.

I talked to her a couple of times, but I didn't manage to get close to her. She was unavailable to me.

She used to walk in the winter with Ines and other girls. Sometimes they would pass close to me, but I couldn't get closer to them.

Since Antonia went abroad, I only saw her in the summer. Then sometimes her smile intended for me would shine.

I often remember the days when I danced with her at "Love Bar".I was very impressed with her then. Her smile was extraordinarily sweet.

I really loved her very much. It was very important for me to see her or be near her.

*******************

It is February 2023. I am on the beach “Mandrac”. The day is sunny. I swam, even though the sea temperature was only 13 degrees Celsius.

I didn’t forget Antonia, since she went abroad. My thoughts are often occupied with her.

I imagine that she is with me on the beach. She shows me her pearly smile.

Antonia is so attractive in her tiny bikini. I enjoy looking at her body. We swim together in the transparent sea and sunbathe on the sand.

I love her so much. My thoughts are often occupied by her.

Last summer I swam on the same beach as her. She still does not speak to me, even though I have approached her several times. We bathed next to each other often.

I noticed that she is a good swimmer. She used to swim all the way to the neighboring beach.

Every summer I used to see Antonia on the beach. I was sunbathing on the same terrace, but she was quiet, she didn’t want to talk to me, although I sometimes used to approach her.

I still remember one of my first contacts with Antonia. It was at a party in “Rose Bar”. The bar was full of young people. I was there for the first time.

Antonia came near me in the company of a few girls, her friends. She sat down on the sofa opposite me. I sat down on the sofa, a little distance from her. We looked into each other’s eyes.

I am very attracted to Antonia. She is so beautiful. Her brilliant eyes look at me. I tried to talk to her, but she refused me.

I didn’t know then that I had already seen her. It was in a coffee bar in Lapad. She was sitting there with an other girl.

Antonia is still in my heart, even though she is far from me. I saw her last summer on the beach. She comes here every summer. I see her often on the “Beach of Dreams”,

In the summer I often go to “Old City”. In the summer, I often go to Stari Grad in the late hours. Then the buses are not crowded. I meet some of my friends there, and we have a drink together.

I saw Antonia several times in “Old City”. She is usually there with her friends. They usually sit on the terrace of the “Summer Bar”.

I remember all my meetings with Antonia. I once sat on the terrace of the bar in “Vala” drinking caffee. It was an early summer afternoon. I noticed a beautiful girl coming down the road in front of the bar terrace. A girl walked right in front of me and I did not recognize her. It was Antonia.

I left the bar, wondering what to do. I suddenly decided to run after her.

I turned back. Antonia was already far away. I couldn’t see her anymore.

I ran after her. I wondered where she could be. I reached the end of the road to “Vala” beach. Suddenly I saw Antonia on the promenade by the sea around Lapad. I managed to reach her.

- Antonia… Antonia… I shouted.

Antonia stopped. She turned to me.

- Go away… she shouted.

- Oh Antonia… Way… I said.

- Go away …she repeted. She continued to walk.

I stopped on the way. I will go back.

“Why did Antonija tell me that”, I thougt. “She rejected me…”

On the way back, I met her friend Ana.

- I met Antonia … I said.

She smiled to me.

- I’m going to her… she said.

- Send my best wishes to her… I said.

- Okay… added Ana. She left him.

I was so sad that day. Later, I went swimming with my grandson Daniel, but I could not escape the rush of feelings for Antonia. She occupied all my thoughts that whole day.

It is march day. I am sitting in the cafe “Fashion”. The day is sunny. The northern wind “Bura” is blowing for a few days. It is very cold, specialy in nights. Later I will walk in lapad.

A few days ago, the Russian army entered Ukraine. Fierce battles are being fought in the eastern part, around “Donjek”, a free area, which is separated from the main land. The Ukrainian port of Mariupol was fiercely attacked.

I often think about Antonia. I am in love with her, but she rejects me. I realized that the main reason was her boyfriend.

I often recall all my encounters with Antonia. Although she is far from me, I still love her.

It was evening when I came to cafe bar. I saw Antonia sitting there with her friends.

​ — Antonia… I said. — Can I take a seat with you?

- Okay… No… she replied. She was smiling to me.

I noticed that her boyfriend was sitting near her. At that time, I did not yet know her boy friend, although I had seen him in her company several times.

When Antonia rejected me, I sat down at a table not far from them. She remained sitting with a couple of girls and a boyfriend.

I was sad that night. I loved Antonia very much, but she rejected me again. I was not sure if the young man in her company was her boyfriend.

​ Antonia always laughed at me, which I considered sympathy on her part. Her smile was like a bouquet of blooming violets.

It was in “Vala” Lapad, when I met Antonia. She was alone, most likely returning from swimming on the nearby rocks.

- Hey Antonia… I said.

She did not reply. She just continued walking with an imperceptible smile on her face.

​ That summer, Antonia was swam in “Vala”. I understood it immediately. I walked a couple of times to see her there. She was usually on the rocks with other girls, her friends.

Every meeting I had with Antonia was a special event. I was constantly caught up in thoughts about her.

It was a hot, summer day when I was walking in “Vala”, in front of “Kompas” hotel. Antonia was coming the opposite direction. She was wearing light blue shorts and a t-shirt. Soon we met on the road.

- Hey Antonia… I said.

Antonia walked past me without saying anything. I was sad. I went to the terrace of “Adriatic” hotel, where I met some friends.

​ My love for Antonio was so intense. Every attempt I made to get close to her was unsuccessful.

I have seen Antonia in “Summer Bar” so many times on hot summer nights. She was so beautiful in the company of other girls. She never gave me a chance to talk to her.

Our only contact was her smile directed at me. It was as beautiful as a bouquet of violets.

Her smile was a machine that guided me in my intentions. My love for Antonio led me straight to her heart.

Many years have passed, but I have not been able to get in close contact with Antonia. Her golden smile was the only link between us.

It has been so many summers since Antonia left here. We are still connected by her pearly smile.

I am sitting in the “Fashion” cafe. The coffee is good here.

It is afternoon. There are only a few people around me.

​ Now is the month of March. It started raining yesterday. Before that, the weather was nice.

I often walk in Lapad. Antonia comes to my mind from time to time. I think about her while I am on the promenade.

​ The beginning of April is rainy. I drive a taxi. Now I am sitting in the car thinking about Antonia.

​ I am very impressed with Antonia. She is my spring violet, which bursts through the grass in the green meadow of my dreams.

​ Antonia is a golden swallow, which visits us on sunny spring days. She is my jewel brought from the far end of the world.

​ I remember when I met her mother. It was in a supermarket. She was walking in front of me there.

- Antonia… I called her. — Antonia…

The woman turned to me. I immediately concluded that she was not Antonia.

- Antonia’s my doughter… said the woman.

I have known her mother since then. I saw her several times in the city.

Antonia is still my red gem. I hold it close to my heart.

Spring has sprung here. It came with the rain.

​ I often remember my meetings with Antonia. I saw her once in “A” bar, while I was passing in front of it. I decided to enter.

Antonia sat down with her boyfriend and another girl. I headed towards her.

- Can I sit next to you? I asked.

- Oh no… she replied. — I’m in the company.

I sat down at the table near them. I noticed that her boyfriend was looking at me angrily.

Antonia is often in my thoughts. The memory of our meetings is all I have left.

Spring is the season of love. I can only imagine Antonia. She is far from me.

I often imagine that we are together. We walk along the path of love, embraced.

- Look at the violets, she said.

- Yeah… I added. I waited until she picked it up.

She smells a tiny flower.

- Beautifull… she said. — I love violets.

I smelled the violets in her hand.

- I love them… I said.

We continued walking along the path through the forest. The trees smell wonderful in spring.

I love Antonia very much, and I don’t stop dreaming about her. Her eyes haunt me so much. I recorded her every smile in my memory.

She is the goddess of my thoughts. Her smile is the most beautiful brilliant that I remember.

I often remember her from “Lucky Beach” on hot summer days, where Aphrodite sang us love songs. She is my golden mermaid, who swam from the ocean of red pearls into our sea.

The music of forest fairies echoes along the beach. Antonia is in my arms, while the red eagles of love are flying in the sky. The sun celebrates our love by sending us purple diamonds of happiness.

- Oh my love, you are with me again, I murmured.

It was a dream only. Antonia is far now. Her briliant smile is away. After her, only a sweet dream remained.

*******************

Today is Easter. The north wind “Bura” blows through the city, which is so strong and dangerous. Sometimes it can uproot a large pine tree and throw it on the street. I have already seen it several times.

​ I am sitting in „Fashion“ caffee. Several people are around me. I am trying to remember everything that happened between Antonia and me during our acquaintance. I usually met her at the “Rose” bar, where she would sometimes dance with me.

The party was very happy that night. I dance with Antonia. She is so beautiful and her smile intoxicates me.

My thoughts wander to the sphere of our relationship. The two of us dance to disco music.

She has a golden crown of love on her head. Diamonds sparkle in her hair.

I am mesmerized by her beauty. Her crown is decorated with red diamonds of love.

“Oh my love…” I said. “Your crown shines with an unusual radiance”.

“It’s my love that shines for us,” she added.

​ Antonia dances like never before. Her diamond dress flutters around her.

“Oh my love,” she said. “You’re my red diamond”.

Her love impressed me. It penetrated deep into my heart and body.

I am so happy when I think about her. I swim in the cold winter on the beach of our dreams.

​ In the cold winter I walk every day thinking about her. She is always in my thoughts, wherever I am.

Antonia is far away now. I walk around thinking about her. My love has not died yet.

I see her image in the spring violets that sprout in the grass or in the first swallows that fly in from the south.

“She’s my golden swallow,” I thought. “She’ll come here in the summer”.

​ Antonia is truly a golden swallow. Her eyes are a miracle. I remember her every look.

It is already spring here. Swallows flew into our area.

​ “Antonia is the most beautiful violet I have ever seen,” I thought.

Violets already pass here in late April. The roses began to bloom.

I looked to the sky looking for the red eagle of love, which would bring me news from her. The sky is blue today, interspersed with little clouds of happiness.

Antonia is far from me. I am waiting for her in the green meadow of our happiness.

I am sitting in “Fashion” cafe. The day is rainy. April is ending.

I walked down to “Vala” beach. I usually go up the vertical street next to the “Kompas” hotel.

Last week there were several sunny days. Today is raining.

I often think about Antonia. I beleive I will never stop thinking about her.

I see the beauty of her eyes in spring flowers. Her beauty belongs to the goddess Aphrodite, who created it.

She is Aphrodite of today. Her beauty is like the first may roses.

May is coming soon, and Antonia’s beauty will be seen everywhere. Aphrodite will sing love songs for the two of us. Forest fairies will play harps on warm sunny days. Nature will be colored purple gold.

Antonia is always in my heart, since the beginning. Her smile has become a part of my life, which is hidden somewhere in my thoughts, and appears from time to time. I see her bright gaze in sunny May days.

My love is like a bouquet of violets on an early spring day. Her gaze shows unseen diamonds from the enchanted castle in the forest of dreams.

It was a party at “Rose Bar” when I saw Antonia in the company of several girls. She was so beautiful that night, standing not far from me with a violet smile on her lips.

She was so attractive that night. I watched her not far from me among the girls. I realized that we are attracted to each other, however, her boyfriend is between the two of us.

Our love is like early May flowers, which smell the most beautifully. I know she loves me, but I can’t do anything. A glass wall has been placed between the two of us.

Antonia is my queen of May days, with a wreath of flowers in her hair. We walk in the meadow of wishes, while aA flock of nightingales of love flies above us, singing the song of our hope.

That night in the “Rose Bar” Antonia looked really beautiful. She was sending her diamond looks to me.

I imagine that she is walking with me in the meadow of love, while the eagles of happiness fly over us. The day is sunny and warm. I hold her hand in mine as we tread the grass of our meadow of dreams.

I kiss and caress her in the meadow of our dreams, while we are intoxicated with love. The song of love echoes around us, while little rabbits dance on the grass.

The two of us are dancing on the green meadow of our dreams, while we kiss. Aphrodite sings a love song for us with the music of mountain fairies. All nature sings for us on a sunny May day in the meadow of love, while the sun plays wonderful music for us.

May is the month of love. A wreath of flowers adorns her while her eyes sparkle with diamonds of happiness. Her smile is most beautiful in May. It looks like a bouquet of early violets, fragrant with the faith of our love.

I renewed my old profession as a sailor. I am sailing again in the “North Sea”.

It was on an early summer day when I saw Antonia on the beach of desire. She was there with two other girls. They were just sunbathing, while I was swiming.

​ I remembered her since than, even though I had met her a couple of times. I have never forgotten her face or her smile since that meeting on the beach of dreams.

Her smile follows me everywhere. It is a bouquet of violets, which I smell every day.

Antonia impresses me a lot. She is my red violet of love. Her smile is the red diamond of my wishes.

I once sat in the “Rose Bar” with friends. Antonia went inside crying. She talked to the bartender, and soon left.

I wondered why she was crying. I asked her once after that, but she didn’t answer me.

Antonia is my sweet candy. I am very attracted to her appearance.

I imagine her on the beach of desire where fairies play music on harps for the two of us. She is happy kissing me. The sky laughs at our love, while the red eagles of our desires throw diamonds of love onto the beach around us. The sun sends us golden arrows of love for our happiness.

Antonia is a diamond of luck on a hot summer day, while the sun shines on us with love. Her smile is a red pearl from a distant ocean of happiness.

Once during a party at “Rose Bar”, I was there with friends. Antonia sat with some girls not far from me. Two young men were sitting with them.

It was a good opportunity to get to know Antonia. I sat down on the sofa near them. Antonia was so beautiful that night.

Antonia was alone not far from me. We were separated only by the sofa. I was thinking how to approach her.

That night I met boyfriends of other girls in her company. At one point, Antonia was left alone on the sofa. I decided to sit near her. Suddenly, her boyfriend sat down next to her.

I am so impressed with Antonia. She is my golden ray of sunshine on a hot day on the beach of dreams.

Antonia usually lies in the sun on the terrace of the beach of love. I usually go see her, even though she just laughs at me. Her smile is like the red violets of our love, which she sometimes shows me.

I tried to talk to her several times, but to no avail. She usually smiles at me and gives me a look of red violets.

​ Antonia is a good swimmer. She swims to the neighboring beach and back, while I sunbathe and watch her.

Every summer I used to see Antonia at “Lucky Beach”. She was sunbathing on the beach terrace.

I remember times when I was at the parties in “Rose Bar”. Antonia shines with a golden crown on her head. Her smile is a bouquet of violets picked from the meadow of love.

​ I love her every smile or glitter in her eyes. I adore all her moves.

Antonia shines among the dancers in all her beauty. Her smile is made of red diamonds of love. Her eyes are the blue pearls of a distant sea.

I loved Antonia all these years. My thoughts were often with her. Her smile follows me everywhere.

I am now far from her, but her vision is right there in front of me. The two of us dance to the music of our love. Antonia is dressed in a golden dress, with a brilliant crown of wishes on her head. Her gaze is encrusted with the red pearls of the ocean, and her smile is a bouquet of spring violets.

I often remember our meetings, especially those when we danced together at “Love Bar”.I was very impressed by her, who used to give me red diamond smiles.

I remember Antonija in a green dress with an open back, while we were having fun in Revelin. She looked beautiful that night, dancing with the other girls not far from me. From time to time she gave me smiles and a look of desire, which impressed me so much.

I imagine that we are walking in a meadow of violets on a warm spring day. The music of the forest fairies echoes through the valley. Antonia is next to me in all her beauty, as we pick violets in our meadow of desires.

Last summer I met Antonia on the beach of dreams several times. I noticed that she was a good swimmer. She mostly swam breaststroke at longer distances.

I could see all her beauty in a tiny bikini. I imagined kissing her right here on the beach.

Antonia is my obsession. Her smiles are the most beautiful diamonds. Her sparkling eyes tell me a lot.

She is my golden flower of desire on a rainy, winter day, while sitting in a cafe. She is my spring violet, which has emerged from the grass.

Her vision is always close to me. We are sitting on the beach while Aphrodite sings a love song for the two of us. Our love is like a violet that bloomed in early spring in our meadow of dreams.

Antonija has not spoken to me for a long time. I only see her on the beach of dreams during the summer, but she remains silent. She is just sunbathing near me on hot summer days. Her eyes are diamonds, which attract me so much.

On the beach of dreams I often listen to the music of the forest fairies, who play for the two of us. Golden eagles of fortune fly in the sky, showering us with diamonds of wishes.

“Love, where are you now?”

She is now far away in a foreign country. I am so lonely, while my thoughts are occupied by her beauty.

********************

It was July 2022 when I met Antonia on Stradun, in the company of another girl. She weared a hat on her head. I stopped, looking at her and barely recognized her.

Stradun was full of tourists. The girls disappeared in the crowd.

The air temperature rises to thirty-five degrees Celsius. I swim every day on the beach of dreams.

My thoughts are often occupied by Antonia. I would like to see her again, but I do not meet her. I am missing her brilliant smile.

Antonia is most beautiful when she laughs. Then her smile shows thousands of diamonds.

​ Every summer, Antonia sat on the terrace of the “Summer Bar” with other girls. She would usually laugh at me when she saw me pass by them.

Her smile is a bouquet of red violets on a sunny spring day. It is a handful of diamonds that glow with the colors of love.

She didn’t smile at me that day when I saw her on Stradun, so I didn’t recognize her right away. I was happy as soon as I realized that it was Antonia.

Last summer, Antonija sat with her friends on the terrace of the “Summer Bar”.I used to see them when I passed by them. They usually sat on the high chairs of the crowded bar.

I usually walked with my friends. Sometimes we sat on the stone benches in front of the Rector’s palace. There we usually drank drinks that we would have bought in the store.

Now I wonder when I will see Antonia again. Is she in town, or somewhere else?

The terrace of the beach of dreams was full of swimmers, but Antonija was not there. My love is somewhere else.

The meeting with Antonio on Stradun touched me a lot. She passed right by me with a hat on her head. She was wearing a white top and short jeans.

I actually recognized her shorts. I still wasn’t sure if it was her. The girls were already far away when I turned to follow them.

If she had shown me a smile, I would have easily recognized her. However, she remained cold while walking along Stradun with a girl.

I walked back along Stradun with the intention of meeting them. I passed to the right through the side streets, but I didn’t meet them. When I returned to Stradun again, I saw the girls far ahead of me, going towards the gate from Pile.

I took the bus home, thinking about Antonia. I was surprised that I recognized her by the shorts she used to wear.

July is a very hot month here in Dubrovnik. Sometimes the temperatures are rising up to thirty five degrees Celsius.

I am sunbathing at “Dream Beach”.The day is hot and sunny. The air temperature reaches thirty-six degrees in the afternoon. The light north wind “Tramuntana” cools the air a bit.

I swim at “Dream Beach” every day. I usually sit at the “Fashion” cafe around noon.

Dubrovnik is full of tourists. “Dream Beach” is crowded.

One evening I was walking alone in “Vala”.I met Antonia in the company of another girl. She looked at me but didn’t smile.

This is the second time I met her this summer. She looked beautiful even though she was cold.

This was my second meeting with Antonio that summer. She no longer swims at “Dream Beach”.I wondered where she had moved to.

It was Saturday night. I was in the whole city with my friends. I passed by the “Summer Bar” terrace, where I saw her with other girls. This time she smiled at me.

Later, Antonija walked with her friends on Stradun. I was talking with my friends in front of the shop window. I waved my hand at her.

After midnight Stradun was still full of people. I went home with the bus.

My love for her was still strong. I thought I had cooled down, but it wasn’t like that.

​ I still haven’t had a chance to talk to her. I believed that sooner or later we would be together.

Antonia was my obsession. She is my fairy of luck, whom I look for on sunny spring days in flower-covered meadows. She is my early violet, emerging from among the grass.

Aphrodite sings a love song for the two of us on a hot summer day, accompanied by the music of forest fairies’ harps. White eagles of desire fly in the sky, sprinkling the beach and us with diamonds of hope.

Heavenly music echoes all around us in the night of the red eagles. Antonia wears her golden crown and her smile is a handful of red diamonds.

I am happy, as I dance with her in the night of love. The stars shine with the light of our desires.

It was on the night of the Blue Eagle, when I met Antonia. A diamond crown glittered on her head, while her smile was a bouquet of violets.

Violets are a symbol of our love. Antonia is my violet in a sunny spring day on the meadow of our love.

It is August, a month of love. I am at the beach in a sunny and warm day. Tourists occupied the entire sand. Many of them are swimming.

I am wondering where Antonia is. She is not coming to “Love Beach” any more.

My red violet disappeared from “Love Beach” even if Aphrodite is singing love songs for us. The red eagles of our desires still fly over the beach, but she is gone.

Every night I go to “Vala” in Lapad or Old City. One night when I walked in Old City I saw her sitting in “Summer bar” with the other girl.

Walking by the terrace of the bar, I passed not far from the girls. That night Antonia gave me a wonderful smile, which I remembered for a long time.

I was so impressed by her smile that I believed I would never forget it. Her smile was as sweet as honey.

I didn’t see her at “Dream Beach” all the summer. I often wondered where she went swimming.

Antonia had a “Vespa” motorcycle, which she usually left by the beach. I haven’t seen that back there all the summer.

I was alone on the beach waiting for her, but she did not come. Antonia is my flower of luck. She is blooming in the early days of spring.

Now the beach is empty without her beauty. Red eagles of luck do not fly over the beach any more. Aphrodite has not sung our love song for a long time. Only the surface of the sea is still crystal blue, although the beautiful mermaid has disappeared from the sand.

“Oh how many her smiles I’ve received on that beach” I thought. “How many sweet looks she has sent me”.Now the sand is full of tourists as usual, but “Lucky Beach” without its siren is not so pleasant as before. Aphrodite still sings sad songs of lost love from the golden sands of a sleepy beach.

Once Aphrodite sang love songs for us, on “Drean Beach”, while forest fairies played harps for the two of us. Now the heavenly music has disappeared from the beach, and the sand is sad without you.

I still see your vision in the beauty of the blue sky in hot afternoons on “Dream Beach”. I still listen to our love songs, while sailing boats are sailing over the blue sea surface.

Antonia is the golden siren of my memories on the “Lucky Beach” in hot summer days. She i s a princess with the diamond crown, while the love music reaches the two of us in the night of the god Zeus, from Mount Olympus.

​ It is the end of August. This summer is really hot. I was swimming every day at “Lucky Beach”.

I saw Antonia in “Summer bar” last time. It was friday night. She was there with the other girl, her friend.

Later on Stradun I saw them again. They walked up and down a few times. Antonia was very beautifull that night.

She was in a white dress. It suited her well. She gave me a slight smile. Even though it meant a lot off to me.

I was happy to see her. Her smile is our only connection. Sometimes it is so beautiful like red roses.

Every smile of hers was precious to me. Those were her only sympathy diamonds. I am trying to save them in our box of love.

Once I saw her with the other girl in front of the hotel “Lero”. At that time I was driving a taxi. I came there to bring passenger.

I came out of the car to help the customer with the bags. At the same time Antonia came from the hotel with the other girl, her friend . They carried two small children with them. I believed they belonged to the other girl.

That was my last meeting with her in the summer. She passed nearby me. I noticed her special smile on her lips.

The summer passed like the other ones. I had no chance to talk to Antonia. I only saw her for a few times.

I managed to catch a few of her smiles that were so sweet. I still remember them. They are always near my heart.

Antonia became my summer love. She was my flower of hot sunny days. Aphrodite was often singing love songs for us.

Antonia did not come to “Lucky Beach” for the whole summer. I thought she was swimming at the pool that summer.

The beach was sad without her. The red eagles of luck were not flying that summer over the bay of our dreams.

Anyway I caught her best smile in front of “Summer bar” in old city. I still can remember it.

Her smile was like a bunch of violets. It was like a handful of red diamonds.

The summer passed with a few meetings with Antonia. I expected much more but it did not happen.

I expected her on “Lucky Beach”, but she didn’t come, not even one time. Our eagles of love were flying in the bay, but she was not there.

I was often on “Lucky Beach”. I wondered where was my diamond siren. The beach is so empty without her.

I remember nights in “Diamond Bar” disco where my princess was dancing. The vision of her diamond crown is still sparkling in the darkness of the bar, while love music is playing.

I remember her smile that shines in front of me, while she dances a love dance for two of us. Our love blooms in the night of luck with music that sounds only for us.

********************