Between Us, Between Time

41. Is it possible to describe Love ? - Siddarth

After the girls got ready, we finally had breakfast, which felt like a feast after our exhausting climb earlier. The meal revived us, and soon we headed to the beach. Luckily, it wasn't too crowded, just the way we liked it. I stood on the soft sand, taking in the majestic sight of the ocean. The wind kissed my face as gentle waves lapped at my feet, bringing an almost meditative calm.

As we soaked in the ambiance, a speedboat caught our attention. Excited, we decided to give it a try. It was my first time, and while I was nervous, especially since I didn't know how to swim, I figured my life jacket would keep me safe. With that reassurance, I climbed aboard, gripping the side tightly as the boat sped through the waves. Each jump the boat made sent jolts of adrenaline through me. By the time we returned to the shore, drenched but intact, I was more than relieved to be back on solid ground. I flopped onto the beach under the shade of a tree, letting the wind lull me into a sense of peace. It was so relaxing that I nearly drifted off to sleep.

Saanvi, however, had other plans. She was happily playing in the water nearby and decided to drag me in for a swim. This presented a slight problem, I had never learned how to swim. Feeling embarrassed, I hesitated, standing knee-deep in the water as she called out to me.

"What's wrong? Come on in!" she urged, her tone light and encouraging.

I gave her a sheepish smile and confessed, "I don't... I don't know how to swim."

To my relief, she didn't laugh or tease me. Instead, she smiled and said, "That's okay! We can learn now. I'll show you."

She took my hands and gently guided me further into the water until it was neck-deep. She demonstrated how to move my legs and arms, patiently encouraging me as I clumsily attempted to float. At one point, she let go, perhaps thinking I was ready, but I immediately sank like a rock. Thankfully, she was quick to catch me and pull me back up, laughing as she did.

"Let's keep trying," she insisted, her determination unwavering.

We spent a while practicing, though my progress was laughable at best. Despite her support and encouragement, I remained better at walking underwater than actually swimming. It was exhausting but undeniably fun. Eventually, I called it quits, dragging her out of the water as she could have gone on forever.

We dried off under the shade, lying side by side. I told her about the morning trek, our climb, the breathtaking view, the abandoned temple, and the kind strangers who helped us find our way back. When I mentioned the trekkers, she teasingly asked, "What if they had drugged you and stolen all your stuff?"

I paused, caught off guard. "They didn't seem like the drugging type," I replied defensively.

She burst out laughing, clearly enjoying my discomfort. Then she asked why we hadn't invited the girls for the trek. I hesitated, unsure how to explain that it was meant to be a "boys-only" adventure. She listened quietly, her expression unreadable, and let the conversation drift into silence.

Saanvi had a way of keeping me on my toes. Sometimes she'd hint that she had something interesting to tell me, only to say, "I'll tell you later," leaving me in suspense. It drove me crazy with curiosity, but she always seemed to enjoy teasing me like that. Even when she irritated me, I couldn't stay mad at her, I adored her too much.

As we dried off completely, we decided to take a leisurely walk along the shore. Out of nowhere, she shoved me into an incoming wave, soaking me once again. Laughing, I retaliated by pulling her into the water. We played like carefree kids, splashing and chasing each other, forgetting everything else in the joy of the moment.

When we finally tired out, we walked side by side, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the ocean. As the waves gently kissed our feet, she wrapped her arms around me, and I held her close. It was a perfect, heartwarming moment, a memory I'd treasure forever.