𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒅𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔

𝟮𝟳. 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗹𝗲?

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Lighthouse or Sandcastle?

The moment they stepped onto the soft, powdery sands of the West Indies, Nehmat and Shubman felt a shift in the air. The vibrant colours of the Caribbean greeted them with warmth and energy, unlike anything they had experienced before.

The first two days were dedicated to shaking off the remnants of jet lag, allowing the team and their families to fully immerse themselves in the tranquillity of their surroundings.

With the sun high in the sky and the gentle breeze carrying the scent of saltwater, the group arrived at the beach, they scattered, each member eager to embrace the carefree vibes of the West Indies. The kids wasted no time, kicking off their shoes and diving headfirst into the sand, their laughter echoing across the shore.

A game of beach volleyball quickly took shape, with Shubman and Ishan stepping up to lead their respective teams. As the two captains tossed a coin to decide who would serve first, Shubman found himself on the losing end, much to Ishan's delight. With a mischievous smirk, Ishan claimed victory and opted to pick Nehmat for his team, leaving Shubman disappointed.

Nehmat, however, greeted Ishan's choice with a cheerful bump of shoulders, clearly excited to join his team. With a curious glint in his eye, Shubman scanned the remaining players before making his selection, determined to assemble a formidable lineup despite the initial setback.

As the teams were finalized and players were chosen one by one, Shubman found himself with only one remaining member to select. His eyes fell on Meera, who stood alone, eagerly waiting to join in the game.

Meera's gaze met Shubman's, her expression hopeful yet tinged with a hint of shyness. Despite Nehmat's subtle scrutiny, Shubman made his decision, beckoning Meera to join his team with a reluctant nod.

Meera's face lit up with a shy smile as she moved towards Shubman, grateful for the opportunity to be included. Nehmat, observing the exchange, couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, sensing the unspoken intentions behind Meera's demeanour.

However, she chose to trust Shubman's loyalty, knowing that he wouldn't do anything wrong with her.  With a small sigh, Nehmat pushed aside her reservations, focusing instead on the camaraderie and fun of the game ahead. After all, she didn't want to dampen the spirits of the team with unnecessary tension.

As the game kicked off, all the players dove into the action with competitive spirit. Each serve, spike, and dive was executed with precision and determination, as both teams vied for victory.

Amidst the intensity of the match, Rohit bhai, known for his witty humour, provided occasional commentary that kept everyone entertained. His funny remarks and playful banter added a lighthearted touch to the game, eliciting laughter from both teams.

Meanwhile, amidst the intensity of the match, Nehmat couldn't help but keep her eyes on her boyfriend and her stepsister. Despite being caught up in the game, she noticed her stepsister's repeated attempts to get closer to Shubman, showering him with sweetness even as he tried to keep his distance.

While the game raged on, Nehmat couldn't shake off the unease creeping over her. She observed Shubman's efforts to evade her stepsister's advances, but it was clear that the situation was testing his resolve.

As the game intensified, Nehmat found it increasingly difficult to ignore Meera's actions. Despite their efforts to keep their relationship low-key, Nehmat knew that their dating was no longer a secret, even to her Paaji. But at that moment, she decided she didn't care about what others knew.

Her attention remained fixed on Shubman and her stepsister, her unease growing as she witnessed her stepsister's attempts to cosy up to him. The sight of her stepsister chuckling and casually touching Shubman's bare bicep ignited a spark of anger within Nehmat. How dare she encroach on what was hers?