Between Us, Between Time

48. Sometimes it's Hard to understand - Saanvi

After lunch, the air felt heavy with the kind of stillness that comes from being content and just a little tired. Everyone sprawled out under the shade near the beach, faces glowing from the mix of sun, sand, and salty breeze. The laughter from earlier had died down to softer conversations, and for a moment, it seemed like we were all caught in the slow rhythm of the waves.

I sat there, letting the ocean's breeze play with my hair, but my mind wasn't resting. There was something pulling at me, this feeling that tonight needed to be different, special. This trip had been full of unforgettable moments, but I wanted to mark our last evening in a way that Siddarth and I would remember for the rest of our lives. Something just for the two of us. I wanted this night to be etched in his mind as much as it would be in mine.

I excused myself quietly and stepped away from the group. The beach stretched endlessly before me, the horizon blurring where the water met the sky. I walked, my feet sinking into the warm sand as I turned the idea over in my head. Something simple yet meaningful. No grand gestures, no over-the-top plans, just something that felt like us.

As I strolled along, my gaze fell on a small, elegant sign further down the beach, Dine Inn Sea. The name rang a bell. I had heard about this place from some of the locals, a cozy restaurant that set up candlelit dinners right on the sand. It was intimate, quiet, and exactly the kind of place I was looking for.

Without wasting a moment, I pulled out my phone and dialed their number. The voice on the other end was warm and accommodating. They assured me they could set up something special, a table for two, right on the beach, with soft lights and the soothing sound of the waves as our backdrop. I carefully chose the time and confirmed the menu. Siddarth's tastes weren't a mystery to me anymore, and I made sure to pick things I knew he'd love.

When I hung up, there was a small thrill running through me. This was happening. I turned back toward the group, but I wasn't ready to share the plan with everyone yet. Only Keerthi and Nithya could know.

I found them lying on their backs in the shade, talking in low tones and watching the palm leaves sway above them. When I told them about my plan, they both sat up straight, eyes wide with disbelief.

"You?" Keerthi exclaimed, laughing. "Romantic candlelit dinners? Who even are you right now?"

"Shut up," I muttered, though I couldn't help smiling. "I just... I want to do something special, okay?"

Nithya, always the softer one, grinned. "Aww, look at you. So serious about this. Okay, okay, we'll help. What do you need?"

I explained how I needed them to give me and Siddarth some alone time for the evening. They didn't just agree, they made a whole game out of it, teasing me endlessly about my "hidden romantic side." By the end of our conversation, we were all laughing so hard that I nearly forgot my nerves.

"They'll handle Nithin and Sreehari too," Keerthi said with a wink. "Don't worry. Just focus on your little date and leave the rest to us. But you owe us, big time."

"Deal," I said, feeling a rush of gratitude. "Thank you, guys."

With the plan set, I felt a little lighter. I rejoined the group, and soon enough, the mood shifted again. Someone suggested a game of volleyball, and we all jumped in. The sand was hot beneath our feet, but the competition was fierce and fun. We were diving, laughing, cheering, and collapsing in mock defeat. The guys were, of course, annoyingly good at it, but we gave them a run for their money.

As the game wound down, the sun began its descent. We all sat down on the beach, breathless and smiling, watching the sky change colors. Shades of orange, pink, and purple streaked across the horizon, the sun's reflection dancing on the waves. I held my ice cream, a perfect butterscotch scoop, and savored the moment. For a while, it felt like the world had stopped moving. There was no noise in my head, just the serene beauty of the sea and the people I loved most around me.

After the sunset, we decided to explore. The beach came alive at night, with music thumping from nearby clubs and stalls lit up with fairy lights. We wandered, taking in the energy of the place. The clubs were packed, though we steered clear of them, laughing at the absurd "free entry for girls" signs. The boys groaned in mock protest, but none of us were really in the mood for loud music and sweaty crowds.

We stumbled upon a fair near the beach, its colorful lights drawing us in. It was chaotic but charming, with games, rides, and endless food stalls. I tried my hand at one of those games where you have to knock over bottles with a ball, but it was rigged, clearly. Siddarth, to everyone's surprise, actually managed to win something, a tiny plush dolphin. He was so proud of it that I couldn't stop laughing.

As we wandered through the fair, we came across a giant wheel. It wasn't very big, but it stood out against the night sky, its lights twinkling like stars. The line was short, so we all decided to give it a try. Siddarth and I ended up sharing a seat, and as the wheel lifted us higher, I felt a strange mix of excitement and calm. From the top, the fair looked like a painting, the lights reflecting off the ocean in the distance.

"It's beautiful," I said, looking out at the view.

"It is," Siddarth replied, though when I glanced at him, I realized he wasn't looking at the view. He was looking at me.