Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 20

Shravan's POV

After we reached the bungalow, we both got fresh and changed into our nightwear. I came down the stairs and saw Lara standing near the couch, wearing a loose t-shirt and shorts that showed off her legs. I couldn’t help but stare a bit longer than I should have. She noticed, smirking as she caught me gawking.

“Enjoying the view?” she teased, one eyebrow raised in amusement.

“Maybe a little too much,” I confessed with a grin, running a hand through my hair. “I didn’t know you could look that hot in PJ shorts.”

She laughed and playfully rolled her eyes. “I aim to impress, even in pajamas.”

“Mission accomplished,” I said with a wink. Then, after a moment, I asked, “Are you feeling sleepy yet?”

She shook her head. “Not even a little. Why?”

“How about a swim?” I suggested, nodding toward the backyard. “The pool looks tempting.”

Lara’s eyes lit up. “Now, that’s an idea I’m on board with!” she exclaimed, already heading toward the patio door. “Last one to the pool has to do a silly dance!”

We both darted outside, laughing like kids. I reached the edge of the pool first and quickly dipped my toe in to test the temperature. The water was perfect—cool enough to be refreshing without being too cold. Lara wasn’t far behind, and as soon as she reached the pool, she didn’t hesitate to jump right in, causing a huge splash that soaked me.

“Lara!” I shouted in mock annoyance, wiping the water off my face. “You’re gonna pay for that!” Without another second’s hesitation, I leaped in after her, making sure to create an even bigger splash.

As soon as I resurfaced, she was already swimming away, giggling and splashing water at me. “You’re too slow!” she teased, glancing over her shoulder with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, we’ll see about that,” I said, lunging forward and grabbing her by the waist. She let out a little yelp as I pulled her close, trapping her in my arms.

“Shravan!” she squealed, laughing breathlessly as she struggled to break free. “Let me go!”

“No chance,” I said, tightening my hold as she wiggled in my grasp. “You need to learn a lesson for soaking me.”

“What’s the punishment?” she asked, turning her head slightly to look at me, her lips curling into a playful grin.

I pretended to think it over. “Hmm, I’m not sure. Maybe I’ll just keep holding you like this until you beg me to let you go.”

“Never!” she declared, wriggling out of my arms and diving underwater, swimming away like a mermaid. I followed suit, diving beneath the surface to chase after her. We played this game of underwater tag for a while, dodging each other and splashing around. At one point, she popped up on the far end of the pool, her wet hair sticking to her face.

“You’re not as fast as you think, Shravan,” she taunted, tossing her hair back with a flick.

I swam up behind her without making a sound and whispered in her ear, “Gotcha!” She gasped in surprise, spinning around to face me.

“You sneaky—” she started, but I silenced her with a playful splash of water to her face.

The night continued with more laughter and playful splashing. At one point, she suggested a race from one end of the pool to the other. I accepted the challenge, and we both swam as fast as we could, though I’m pretty sure she cheated by pushing off the wall mid-way. When we reached the edge, we were both out of breath, laughing and clutching onto the side of the pool.