The calming scent of lavender fills the bathroom. The lights are flickering
as the candles gently sway, candles all lined around

the bathtub. The steam from the hot water fogs the mirrors. The music on my IPod crashes
unable to hear anything but the rushing water filling
the tub full. I step into the smoldering heated body of water and lay my body to rest, enjoying the aroma. My eyes are shut closed
trying to solely focus on meditating. I remember

a time when
I was walking through the streets of Barcelona late one summer night with my best friend, Ashton.
The street lights lit up the dark black sky,
as we approached the scene. The taxi cabs pulled up
beside the fancy restaurant El Fiesta Loca where
joyful couples were escorted inside.
The air was a cool breeze, chilly enough for a shawl, yet too hot for pants.
Everything in that moment seemed perfect, perfect
for a walk in the city.
This was going to be the last night of our summer vacation. I remember
us eating two servings of gelato – chocolate and pistachio.
Laughing deliberately at nothingness, just simply happy to be free
in a city far away from home. Feels like only 10 seconds

when I hear the faint voices and loud chatter coming from outside the washroom door.
Interruption is a common thing in my life.
How can a moment so sweet and peaceful be forgotten so easily?
It diminishes when I hear the call from my mother “Nadine, come set the table, now”.
My bath goes unnoticed.
Time spent to oneself is unpredictable in the household of a mildly large family. I yell, “In a minute”.
As I step out of the tub, leaving it to drain.
It’s moments like these that pass too quickly, easily forgotten