The year was 1972; the, location Singapore, a bustling city in the tropics where thousands of tourists still visit the city annually. A shopper’s paradise within the city is Change Alley, the most famous shopping arcade in Singapore. Rows upon rows of shops line both sides of the arcade. It is here and Bugis Street where tourists can bargain for their wares and sample delicious cuisines. The airport is always busy with the arrival of international flights the seaport is always open to cruise ships, tankers, cargo vessels and naval vessels from all over the world.
Cheviot Heights is a beautiful, leafy suburb in Singapore. The streets are lined with trees such as Phoenix canariensis, Caryota urens and Phoenix roebellini. Melissa, a Singaporean with a Straits-born Chinese parentage, lived here with her family. Her best friend Joanne lived with her parents in Seagrange, a suburb by the beach. Joanne originally came from England, and has been the best of friends ever since their first day at school.
A year older than Melissa, Joanne possessed an outgoing personality and she always looked after her friend Melissa, who was a bit on the shy side. They went everywhere together and they were inseparable. They were fortunate enough to work for the same company!
The shipping company they worked for was located on Orchard Road, the main thoroughfare where large corporate offices are located. At night the car parks are transformed to open-air eating places, where culinary delights can be sampled. Amid the throngs of locals, tourists visited these stalls nightly to savour the authentic cuisine and experience the atmosphere of Singapore.
This was to be Melissa’s 22nd birthday and her best friend Joanne decided that they should seek out the newest nightclub in downtown Singapore, The Jamaican Banana.
Melissa decided to wear her favourite red dress, after all it is her birthday and she wanted to look her best. On this special night she decided to wear her long, black hair down and as she was brushing it, she wondered what the night was going to be like. At one point she even thought of ringing Joanne and cancelling the night out but she didn’t want to disappoint her best friend, and it was after all, her birthday. Melissa decided, “I should not worry so much, I should just have fun. It is my birthday, after all!”
Joanne arrived at 6.30pm to pick Melissa up. It was a beautiful, warm tropical night. The top went down on their “E” Type Jag and the sky was covered with stars sparkling like thousands of eyes looking down upon them. Melissa noticed that the full moon was smiling at her and she felt confident that the night was going to be the best birthday she ever had. As they drove by the piers Melissa noticed that a US Navy destroyer was moored at the pier. Melissa stared intently at it and thought of the crew and the families they left behind. America was on the other side of the world.
They arrived at the club at 7:00pm and there was already quite a crowd gathering outside the entrance. While waiting for their turn to get in, Joanne suddenly spotted a friend and excused herself and dashed over to talk with her. Melissa was left on her own and was getting a bit nervous as she neared the entrance. She started looking anxiously around for Joanne, when her eyes suddenly locked onto a figure in the crowd. He was dressed in dress whites, a Naval uniform of the United States Navy and looked so distinguish and handsome. Then suddenly she realized that he too was looking intently at her, and she quickly turned away embarrassed. Just at that moment Joanne came back and apologizes for being away so long. She sensed that something was odd and asked Melissa if everything was okay with her. Melissa made eye contact, smiled and nodded gently as they entered the club. Her thoughts were still on that young man in the naval uniform.
They found a table, tucked in a corner, all nice and quiet. The waiter, a Jamaican, came around and they ordered two ‘House Specials’, the Jamaican Banana. When the drinks arrived, they asked what ingredients went into the house special. They learned that the drink was made with a light Jamaican rum, crème cacao, crème banane, ice cream, half & half and fresh banana. It was delicious!
Joanne made sure that Melissa was sitting facing the wall so that she could not see what was happening until it actually happened. They were busily talking away when suddenly she heard a voice calling “surprise”. Joanne had organized a surprise birthday party for her. Melissa turned and saw a group of about twenty people standing there and lo and behold, among the group was that handsome young man in the naval uniform. She could not believe it as her eyes fixed on him as his on hers. She also noticed that he had a single long-stemmed red rose in his hand.
Everyone was gathering around her and wishing her birthday wishes, when suddenly, she saw him walking towards her. She felt her shyness overtake her even though her heart was pounding excitedly at the thought of meeting him. Before she knew it, he was standing in front of her, with hand outstretched, introducing himself as John Standish. He handed the red rose to her. Melissa stood there nearly paralysed when Joanne came to her rescue. Joanne introduced herself and then introduced Melissa to John. Yes.........they had eyes only for each other.
A great time was had by all at the club. Melissa and John spent all night together talking and dancing, she never felt as happy and safe as she was is in his arms. She hoped the night would never end and that all this is not a dream.
Then everyone decided to adjourn to Joanne’s place. Joanne, Melissa and John climbed into the Jag and made their way to the beach house. The moon was still shinning brightly. Melissa felt a slight chill in the night air and gave a little shiver. John noticed that and he put his arm around her shoulder. The warmth radiated to Melissa and she turned and smiled at him, they kissed softly in the night air.
Melissa’s parents were there when they arrived and the party continued. Melissa introduced John to them and she could see that they were all very happy for her. While others drifted in, and John was busy talking with them, Melissa excused herself and dashed off to seek Joanne outside on the verandah. She could not help but show her excitement and was talking non-stop, which was not like Melissa at all! Joanne smiled and knew that her best friend had found someone and could see the happiness in her eyes. She felt so happy for her once very shy, best friend!
Someone called Joanne; she gave Melissa a big hug, excused herself and went in. Melissa was still standing on the verandah, her thoughts were on John when suddenly she felt a warm, loving hand on her shoulder. She turned and saw him standing close by. He asked if she would like to go for a walk on the beach and she said yes without any hesitation.
They climbed down the steps leading to the beach and she looked up and could still see the moon smiling at her! The shells on the sand glistened in the moonlight. Her happiness grew immensely when John took her hand in his as they started walking on the beach. She asked him about the navy and he told her that he had been in the navy for 3 years, as a Petty Officer in a 400ft destroyer with a crew of 225 men. Sensing that she was worried in not seeing him again, he assured her that this was only the beginning of their time together and gave her a gentle kiss. Immediately she felt safe and put her trust in him. Her confidence grew and she felt that she could conquer the world and gave a sigh of contentment.
A slight rain began to fall but that did not worry them as they continued their walk hand in hand, laughing as raindrops fell on their faces. Gusts of wind blew gently through her long, black hair and the palm fronds swayed with the breeze. They felt the waves lapping at their feet as they walked along. Suddenly, she saw a beautiful, russet colored Busycon contrarium shell, glistering in the moonlight. 
John saw it too; he knelt down, picked it up, and gave it to her. She thanked him and they stood there momentarily as John put his arms round her. He then ran his fingers through her flowing long black hair drawing her closer to him. John bent down and kissed her passionately on her soft lips. She felt such a fervent sensation as she puts her arms around his neck and kisses him back timidly at first, with a happiness that radiates only between lovers. The rain now began to fall heavier and hand in hand, they ran to find shelter under some palm trees. They stood there locked in each other’s arms as the rain now came down in torrents. Now drenched, John held her tightly against his body, she turned, looked up at his handsome face, and they kissed again, so lovingly and tenderly. Melissa had never felt like this before. This must be what love feels like, she thought.
Then, just as suddenly as the clouds had rolled by vehemently, covering the moon and leaving them in total darkness, the rain stopped. The moon and the stars were twinkling brighter than ever after that brief rain. They kissed again and left the shelter of the palms.
She felt tremendously happy as they walked back towards the house. The party was still in full swing. They wanted to spend time together alone and get to know each other, so they decide to leave the party. With arms around each other, they walked heading towards the port. He wanted to show her the destroyer, his home away from home. When they arrived at the pier, Melissa couldn’t believe what she saw! This was the very ship that she saw on the way to the club, wondering about the crew, earlier that evening. Now she was standing next to it. Melissa was awestruck with how huge it is. It towered above them and seemed to take up the entire length of the pier.
John invited her on board to show her the ship and also “his home”, which had been home for the last 6 months. John sensed that she was apprehensive so he took her hand and lead her up the gangway. Once inside the passageway, the hum of electric motors and ventilation fans could be heard. The smells were of machinery, paint, fresh baked bread and men’s cologne. Melissa took in the exotic blend of the various scents. John took her forward to the bow of the ship and then down the outboard passage on the main deck to the stern.
On the fantail they gazed out on the harbour, his loving arms around her. Melissa snuggled close to him, put her arm around him, and lay her head gently on his strong, broad shoulders, she thought how fortunate she is to meet such a fantastic guy.
Truly, this was the most wonderful birthday Melissa had ever experienced. A night to remember! In the morning John’s ship was to leave for local operations. He promised that the following weekend they would be together again. Melissa’s mind began to race ahead, as she tried to think of a very special way to welcome her special sailor, home from the sea..........