Chapter 35: Under the Sun and Sea
THE NEXT DAY
Oki, practically vibrating with excitement, burst into the room as the sun began to rise. “Let’s hit the beach tomorrow! I’m so ready for the sand and sea!”
Haari, still groggy from the early wake-up call, rubbed his eyes and said, “That sounds great. But don’t forget, we need to get back early to work on our presentation. We can’t afford to fall behind.”
Ashi, carefully adjusting her new swimsuit, nodded in agreement. “Definitely. We can enjoy the beach, but let’s set a specific time to return.”
Rafta, already decked out in his beach gear, added enthusiastically, “Let’s make the most of our time here. I heard there’s a fantastic snorkeling spot we should check out.”
Haari, catching up to the group, reminded them, “Just remember to be cautious. We don’t want any accidents while we’re out there.”
Rafta grinned, pulling out his snorkeling gear. “I’m ready to explore what’s beneath the waves!”
After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, the team gathered in the hotel lobby, eager for the day ahead. The sun was bright and inviting, perfect for a day of fun.
AT THE BEACH
As they arrived at Goa Beach, Oki’s excitement was palpable. “Wow, we’re finally here! It’s like a dream come true!”
Rafta chuckled, nudging Oki playfully. “Just how many dreams do you have, Oki?”
Oki, slightly puzzled, asked, “What do you mean?”
Rafta waved it off with a smile. “Nothing. Just joking.”
Oki, bouncing on the spot, said, “Let’s hit the beach now! I can’t wait to feel the sand between my toes.”
Ashi, adjusting her swimsuit, suggested, “Before we dive into the sand, let’s grab a bite to eat. I’m starving.”
Haari, still adjusting to the early morning, agreed, “Yeah, I could use something to eat too.”
Oki looked around eagerly. “But we just got here! How about we explore the beach a bit first and then eat?”
Haari frowned, “But we haven’t had anything since breakfast. We need to refuel.”
Oki, surprised, asked, “Why not?”
Rafta, Haari, and Ashi chimed in, “Because you were too excited to stop!”
Rafta spotted a restaurant nearby and suggested, “Look, there’s a place to eat. Let’s head there first.”
After they had their meal, Rafta sighed contentedly. “Wow, that was amazing. I’ve never tasted anything like it.”
Oki nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, it was great. How about you, Ashi?”
Ashi smiled, “It was delicious.”
Oki’s eyes widened. “Hey, look! Cotton candy! I want to try some.”
Rafta and Oki wandered off to get cotton candy. Meanwhile, Haari and Ashi stayed behind, and Haari looked around with a thoughtful expression.
Ashi noticed and asked, “Haari-san, what’s on your mind?”
Haari pulled out a small ice cream cone. “I got these for us. I could only carry two at a time, so I thought I’d give these to you while I go back for more. But it looks like Oki and Rafta are having their own adventure right now.”
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Ashi’s face lit up. “Thank you! This is perfect.”
Haari handed her the cone with a smile. “You’re welcome.”
Meanwhile, Rafta and Oki returned, cotton candy in hand. Oki was grinning widely. “Look at this! It’s so fluffy!”
Oki and Rafta’s excitement was infectious as they raced towards the water. “Let’s start with a boat ride!” Oki suggested, eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Rafta, equally enthusiastic, nodded. “Great idea! I’ve heard there’s a boat rental place just down the beach.”
They hurried over to the small boat rental stand, where a friendly local offered them a sleek, motorized boat. With a quick safety briefing and life jackets secured, Oki and Rafta hopped into the boat.
As they set out onto the glistening blue waters, Oki took the wheel, his face alight with joy. “This is amazing! Look at the waves!”
Rafta, sitting beside him, laughed. “You’re doing great, Oki! Let’s head towards those rocks over there; I heard there’s a fantastic spot for snorkeling around them.”
Navigating the boat with increasing confidence, Oki steered them towards the rocks. The boat cut through the water with ease, creating a spray of droplets that sparkled in the sunlight. They reached the snorkeling spot, and Rafta eagerly grabbed his gear. “Time to dive in!”
Oki quickly joined him, donning his own snorkeling mask and fins. They splashed into the crystal-clear water, their heads submerged as they explored the vibrant underwater world. Schools of colorful fish darted around them, and a curious sea turtle glided gracefully by.
After a while, they climbed back onto the boat, their faces beaming with exhilaration. “That was incredible!” Rafta exclaimed. “I’ve never seen so many fish up close!”
Oki grinned widely. “Absolutely! But let’s try something else. How about surfing?”
Rafta’s eyes lit up. “Sounds like a plan! Let’s head back to the beach and rent some surfboards.”
They returned to the shore and found a surfboard rental kiosk. After selecting two boards and getting a brief lesson from the instructor, Oki and Rafta carried their boards to the water’s edge.
As they paddled out, the waves began to pick up. Oki was the first to catch a wave, rising to his feet with a triumphant shout. “Woohoo! Look at me!”
Rafta, not far behind, expertly rode his own wave, maneuvering with practiced ease. They spent the next hour catching waves, laughing, and cheering each other on. The sun was high in the sky, and the beach buzzed with energy as other surfers joined in the fun.
When they finally returned the boards, both Oki and Rafta were exhausted but exhilarated. They flopped onto the sand, panting and laughing. “That was so much fun!” Oki said, still catching his breath.
Rafta nodded in agreement. “Definitely. We should do this more often.”
Rafta, with a mouthful of cotton candy, said, “It’s like eating a cloud!”
Ashi laughed and said, “I’m glad you two are having fun. But Haari-san and I have been collecting sea shells. Look at this one!” She held up a beautiful shell.
Haari looked at it with a thoughtful expression. “It’s beautiful. There are so many.”
As they collected shells, Haari’s thoughts drifted to a conversation with an old man he had met before the trip. The old man’s advice rang in his ears: “There’s only one solution to your problem: go and confess. If you wait, you may lose her.”
Haari took a deep breath, feeling a surge of determination. *He’s right. I need to do this now.*
With newfound resolve, Haari turned to Ashi, his heart pounding. “Ashi, I—”
Just then, Rafta and Oki arrived, interrupting the moment. “Hey, you two! What are you up to over here?” Rafta called out, breathless from his run. “We thought you’d be heading back to the hotel soon.”
Haari’s face fell, frustration evident. “Not now…”
Rafta, noticing Haari’s irritation, said, “Did I interrupt something?”
Haari, trying to keep his composure, said, “My hand was itching for some reason. I thought a little punch might help.”
Rafta grinned mischievously. “Oh, mine was itching too. Can I try that method?”
Haari smirked, “Try if you can.”
Rafta, taking the challenge, replied, “Are you challenging me?”
The two began a playful mock fight, laughing and dodging each other’s jabs. Ashi watched, her expression a mix of amusement and concern.
Ashi turned to Oki and asked, “So, how was your day so far?”
Oki, still grinning, replied, “It’s been great, but it would have been even better if everyone had joined in.”
Ashi shrugged. “I’m not really a beach person. I prefer to watch.”
Rafta leaned in and whispered to Haari, “Did you manage to make any progress?”
Haari sighed, glancing at Ashi with a mix of frustration and longing. “I was about to, but—”
Haari’s attempt was thwarted as Rafta’s playful punch caused him to lose his composure. “You showed up out of nowhere and messed things up!”
Rafta, looking apologetic, said, “I’m really sorry about that.”
Haari, feeling a wave of frustration, said, “Sorry doesn’t help when I’ve finally worked up the nerve to say something important.”
As the sun began to set, the group’s fun continued, their laughter and camaraderie bringing them closer. Despite the interruptions and challenges, the day had forged stronger bonds among them, with Haari’s unspoken words hanging in the air, promising a more significant moment yet to come.
To be continue..........