Closure

39. Let's Do It

By the time Akshu and Abhi stirred awake, the sun was already dipping low on the horizon, bathing their room in a soft golden glow. With no time to waste, they made their way down to the secluded beach, drawn by the promise of one last adventure before the light slipped away.

The bay welcomed them with crystalline waters that sparkled like liquid glass. Donning their snorkel gear, they dove in together, hand in hand, into a hidden world beneath the surface. Shoals of rainbow-hued fish darted between coral reefs, each formation more vibrant and alive than the last.

Akshu tugged at Abhi's hand, her eyes wide with wonder as she pointed toward a sea turtle gliding serenely past them. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, his smile mirrored in the mask over his face — a quiet language only they understood.

Later, back on the shore, they stretched out on the sun-warmed sand, the tide lazily curling toward their feet. The air was tinged with salt, laughter, and something unspoken between them.

"You looked like a kid in a candy store out there, your eyes full of wonder" Abhi murmured, brushing a kiss against her lips.

They lay in a peaceful lull until Akshu's eyes caught something — or rather, someone. A woman not far off, openly admiring Abhi as he lay shirtless, basking in the fading sunlight, his face obscured by a floppy straw hat. Akshu's brow twitched in mild annoyance.

Without a word, she picked up his white shirt and tossed it onto his chest.

Startled, Abhi blinked and sat up. "Whoa! What happened?"

"You lounging around shirtless is like honey in the open," she said, arching a brow. "And look — the bees are buzzing."

"What?" he said, confused — until she subtly nodded toward the woman.

Understanding dawned, and he laughed. "So your plan is: I put the shirt on and she'll go away?"

"I'd like to think so."

He smirked, then reached out and pulled her onto him in one swift motion. She landed with a gasp that turned into a giggle, and before she could recover, he tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered, "I've got a better idea."

His lips found hers in a slow, warm kiss, deepening as he rolled her beneath him. For a moment, the world faded — the ocean, the beach, the stranger. Nothing existed beyond each other.

When they parted, breathless and smiling, Akshu glanced over his shoulder and whispered, "It worked. She's gone."

Abhi flopped onto his back, grinning. "By the way... are you ready for tonight?"

Her heart skipped a beat. "Ready for what?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to say it?"

But Akshu placed a hand gently over his lips before he could go on. "I think I am. But every time I imagine it... my heart feels like it's going to burst."

He slowly took her hand and guided it to his chest. "Same pinch."

Noticing her hesitation, he laced their fingers and brushed slow, calming circles into her palm. "If you're not ready, all you have to do is say it," he said softly, his eyes steady on hers. "I've waited for you this long, Akshu. I'll wait as long as it takes."

Her smile returned — this time deeper, steadier. She leaned in and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm ready."

When they returned to the hotel, they were greeted by a surprise — their suite aglow with candlelight, rose petals strewn across the floor, and a heart-shaped cake sitting proudly in the center of the bed.

Akshu gasped like a child seeing snow for the first time, her eyes wide, darting across the room. Abhi, however, only had eyes for her.

"What?" she asked, catching his gaze.

"Nothing... you look so beautiful when you're smiling." He stepped closer, fingertips brushing lightly across her cheek, his voice soft. "And I was just wondering... how do I make sure you keep smiling like this forever?"

A blush bloomed on her cheeks. "Abhi..."

He kissed her gently, then whispered, "I'm going to shower. Want to come with me or take it after?"

"After."

He tilted his head with a teasing grin. "You sure? We'll be seeing each other naked soon enough anyway."

Her face turned crimson. She shoved him playfully toward the bathroom. "Go! I need a long soak to calm down — you're driving me crazy."

Abhi paused at the door, pretending to think it over. "A bath does sound tempting... Maybe I'll skip the shower and join you instead." Chuckling at the glare she shot him, he disappeared inside.

It was well past midnight when Abhi held a drowsy Akshu in his arms, the sheets tangled around their bodies like waves of silk. He gently tucked a loose strand behind her ear and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Does it still hurt?" he whispered.

She nuzzled closer to his chest. "Not too much. And it wasn't unbearable. I was... ready."

A pause, then, almost shyly: "Abhi, I never asked you... Do you want kids?"

"I do," he said without hesitation. "Do you?"

She hummed her agreement. "How many?"

"We can start with one," he teased.

Her brow lifted in surprise. "What do you mean, start with one?"

He chuckled. "We have one, then decide if we want another, and then have another. Just go with the flow."

"How about we start with three?"

Abhi blinked. "Wait — start with three?"

She nodded, grinning.

He groaned dramatically. "Look, I know triplets are a thing, but it's not like I can will it to happen. You know it's random, right? It's not like we do it three times in a row and you give birth to triplets."

Realization dawned on his face as he misinterpreted her words, and Akshu flushed red. "Oh my god! No! I meant three minimum — not all at once!"

She buried her face in her palms, laughing in pure mortification as Abhi joined her, laughter rumbling from his chest.

And in the soft silence that settled afterward, wrapped in the glow of moonlight and their shared happiness, the world seemed to stretch endlessly — full of promise, gentle and infinite.