Sun Kissed

Chapter 11: With Whom?

I was pretty exhausted, but I admit, I had a lot of fun. Who knew talking and laughing had the potential to wear me out? I head towards my shack and see the lights out in the other three shacks. Neither could I hear my friends' voices. You remember right, those weird walls?

I glanced at my watch and it was 8:40 pm. Then it struck me. Today was the resort's barbeque night. They must have already gone there. So I quickly change into one of my fancier sundresses. I leave my hair down and run my brush through it. I managed to put on some eyeliner but it proved to be pretty difficult due to the lack of a mirror in the room. The only mirror was in that ecosystem and who knew what more fauna I would find there in the dark. So I got it done using the tiny mirror in my compact powder's case.

I didn't bother locking the door but just bolted it and hurried towards the barbeque. It was behind the restaurant but not quite on the beach. But the roaring of the low tide was easily audible. A fire was blazing in the fire pit and lots of sheets and pillows were placed around it. Many people were already seated including my friends. there was another group of guests and they were playing the guitar and singing a song that I did not recognise but found it pleasant to listen to. The place was lit up by fairy lights and it reminded me of the night of the proposal.

As soon as my friends spot me, I hear Saahil call out, " Finally she arrives!" and I let out a laugh. I sit crossed leg beside Kaushal who was sitting with Saahil on one of the larger sheets. Both Kaushal and Saahil were leaning back on the pillows with their legs stretched out looking totally relaxed. I see Divisha tucked below Varun's arm.

"Where were you?" Kaushal asks smugly. I bite my lips instead of answering.

"I think the main question is, with whom?" I hear Divisha's voice laced with amusement.

And to this, I hesitantly replied, " The boy on the boat."

"You mean Mr Gorgeous Eyes?"

"Whose Mr Gorgeous Eyes?"

"The unfortunate one on the boat to witness her vomiting."

"And he still spent the day with her?"

"I wouldn't. It would be a bit awkward."

I finally butt in, " You know that I am currently right here?" I ask sceptically. And they finally shut their senseless yapping and look at me.

"I'm sure as hell you guys shared a bed." and I look at Divisha with wide eyes.

"Tell me you kissed at least," Kaushal speaks and similar-looking smirks are displayed on both Saahil's and Varun's faces while I try recovering from choking on my own spit.

"WHAT ON EARTH???!!! NOOO!! NOTHING OF THAT SORT!" I yell. God! These guys!

"Chill! We know you enough to know none of that actually happened. What did you guys actually do?" Kaushal now asks in a serious voice.

"We had lunch and then went shopping," I reply now that I was much calmer.

"First of all, how did you both meet?" Saahil asks and confusion is evident in his voice.

"I think my vomiting made an impression on him," I grimaced, "and when he saw me on the beach, he recognised me and asked me about good places to eat nearby. He then asked me to join him as I suggested that he try out our resort's restaurant."

"So you both ate here? At our resort?" Varun asks. And I nod to confirm.

Then I continued, " I offered if he wanted to go shopping with me. And he replied yes, as he wanted to buy stuff for his mom and sister. And guess what," I drag out and pause for dramatic effect, "He bought me a bracelet!". I finish with excitement.

"Really? Awww... that's so sweet." Divisha coos.

"I know right!" I reply with the same excitement.

"He's already buying you stuff?" Saahil questions.

"Is he good to talk to? Is he a gentleman?" now Varun questions.

"Before anything moves too fast, we want to meet him." Kaushal states.

"Nothing is moving anywhere. We're just friends. Nothing else." I affirm but realising at the same time that both my brain and heart wanted more. But I pushed that thought back to where it came from immediately.

They all gave me the same 'I don't believe you' look. And I gave them a shrug in response.

Before anybody could prologue this topic any further, the chef from the barbeque station declares that it was ready to serve. During our meal, we discussed lighter topics.

Apparently, Kaushal and Saahil had a blast scuba diving. They described the underwater scene animatedly and complaining about how heavy the oxygen tank was. We interrupted Divisha and Varun as soon as they said that, they spent the entire day, either at the beach or their shack. Mostly their shack. We talked about how Sudhiksha was missing out on the fun and, how that hadn't changed at all since high school.

The fire eventually died out and, you could hear peoples' yawns marking the end of the evening. But nobody willed to move from their spots. We were all lying on our backs, gazing into the starry night. Listening to the multitude of sounds like the waves violently crashing against the beach, the leaves of palm trees rustling and crickets chirping. This was natures own melody.

A thought struck me. I checked my watch and, it was 11:15 pm and hoped that he would be awake at this ungodly time. I still rang him a call and, when I hear his warm voice, "I have something fun planned for tomorrow. Would you like to join me..."

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A/N: Thank you for your ideas, Dishari and Kaushal!