I blame the dessert.
It all started after I had the perfect drink—smooth, refreshing, and, of course, paired with my favorite thing: dessert. While most people might opt for something savory or fresh fruit, I firmly believe that a drink tastes best when followed by something sweet. No arguments.
Feeling absolutely amazing, I wandered through the streets of Bali, soaking in the warm air, my stomach happy, my soul at peace. That’s when I passed a small tattoo shop.
Curious, I stopped to admire the artwork displayed outside—intricate, bold designs full of character. As I stood there, the tattoo artist popped his head out.
Tattoo Artist: “You like? Want to get one?”
Me: “Oh, no, no. My mother might actually kill me.”
He laughed, clearly unimpressed by my hesitation.
Then, out of nowhere, he asked, “What’s your name?”
“Nisha,” I replied.
His face lit up with excitement. I didn’t understand why.
Tattoo Artist: “Come on, just a small one! I challenge you.”
I shook my head, but he wasn’t done.
Tattoo Artist: “Okay, okay. I give you special price—only five dollar.”
Now, that caught my attention. Five dollar? That was practically free.
Me: “Alright… but the smallest tattoo possible!”
He grinned and ushered me inside. As he prepped, he casually complimented my tan.
Tattoo Artist: “You look Balinese!”
I laughed, but before I could respond, he started telling me about his family. His daughter’s name—Nissa—was so close to mine.
Me: “No wonder you’re giving me a discount!”
He nodded, as if it was fate. Then, with a thoughtful expression, he added:
Tattoo Artist: “I felt you were lucky, your name sounds like hers. She was born a few days ago—I believe it must be a sign.”
His words reminded me of something I’d heard earlier that morning. When I stopped to buy a flower clip from a local vendor, the woman had smiled and told me I was lucky—I was her first customer of the day, so she gave me a discount.
I sat there, reflecting on these small moments of luck, and shared a few thoughts swirling in my dizzy head—random musings about life, time, and choices. The tattoo artist listened patiently, then offered something profound:
Tattoo Artist: “Only the present is complete. The past and future are always unfinished. Luck lives in now.”
His words lingered in the air—simple, yet deeply meaningful. And just like that, I walked out of the shop with the tiniest permanent souvenir imaginable—barely noticeable, but definitely real..(remember Phoebe’s tattoo?)
Luck Is What We Make It
Some people wait for luck to find them. Others create it by stepping into the unknown.
The tattoo artist saw luck in my name.
The flower vendor saw luck in her first customer.
And I found luck in an unexpected adventure!