Midnight Ocean 》P. Lahote

c. 6

Sumati watched a grin break out on his face, Paul laying down on the sand. She watched him softly wrap his hand around her arm, motioning her to join him. Feeling the warmth travel to her cheeks, she leaned back, her eyes never leaving his.

'Comfortable?' She teased, he biting his lip. Sumati's eyes traveled to his lips as his arm slid below his head, positioning himself to his side, facing her completely.

'Very.' She blushed, their eyes connecting.

'You're a very interesting boy, Paul Lahote.'

'I like the way you say my name.' Paul reached for her hand, pressing their hands softly together on the sand. 'It's calming.'

'Why me?' She watched him grin, squeezing her hand.

'Why not you.' Sumati smiled, shaking her head.

'You're a cornball Paul Lahote.'

After their talk, Sumati and Paul took turns discussing their days, Paul's laughter the constant tune in Sumati's mind on her drive home after she re-told the story with her Economics teacher. The two left the beach with grins on their faces, thinking of the other and their late nights together.

Arriving home, Sumati entered the front door quietly, locking the door behind her. As she tip-toed past the living room, a voice startled her.

'Oh please, no need to be so quiet. Your late night adventures keep me awake, mon amour.' Sumati jumped, clasping a hand to her heart as she looked down at her mother, who sat with a teacup in her hand.

'Mummi!' Sumati half-yelled, her mother smiling at her.

'Welcome home, I was beginning to wonder if I would ever see you again.' Sumati smiled as her mother motioned her to sit next to her on the brown leather couch. Her mother wore a maroon nightgown, her dark brown hair braided back, making her look ten years younger. Sitting down next to her mother, Sumati slid her white Vans off, before leaning back. 'Is this sand in your hand?' Sumati blushed as her mother reached forward, brushing her fingers softly down Sumati's braid.

'Yes Mummi. I was at the beach, you know that.'

'Even when you were younger, you loved being near the paanee. Your father would have to hold you back from entering yet you'd still find a way near it!' The two laughed at this, memories popping up of a young Sumati being chased by her father from going near the ocean.

'I still remember the first time we went to the ocean, just minutes from home. Papa warned me to stay away from the water but I remember just wanting to be near her, wanting to keep the paaneee company.' Her mother watched her, before pressing her hand gently against Sumati's cheek. Without a thought, Sumati leaned forward.

'This boy you meet at the beach, he treats you well?' Sumati closed her eyes, her mother's warm hand pressing closer into Sumati cheek as she nodded 'yes.' 'Good. Is he in school?'

'High school, like me.'

'His plans for the future?' Sumati blushed, pulling away from her mother.

'Oh mummi! Not these questions!' Her mother raised her eyebrow, speaking.

'As my only child, I have a right to ask these questions. And meet him.' Sumati laughed, shaking her head.

'He'd be terrified of you and your questions.' Her mother grinned, wrapping her hand around Sumati's.

'Like it should be.' The mother-daughter duo laughed at this before Sumati yawned, her mother shaking her head. 'Sleep, Suma.'

'Haan haan.' Kissing her mother's cheek, Sumati grabbed her Vans before walking towards her room down the hallway, only pausing at her mother's voice.