CHAPTER 30- BEACH AND ICE-CREAM


Next morning, Umaira decided to venture out, explore the Goa beach. She got dressed in orange ruffled off shoulder crop top and white shorts with white thong sandals. She opened her hair and combed it with her fingers giving her hair a messy look. She applied her sun screen and left the suite. Huma was very keen to go out with her but being the bride she was strictly made to stay indoors. Huma had groaned, cursed, and pleaded but in vain. Huma not tagging did little to deter Umaira's enthusiasm, she is as excited as she was when they had made the plan.


Umaira looked around the beach and realized why it is famous. There are so many people here, this time of the year is pleasant and hence adding to the number of tourists. Wherever she moved her gaze all she saw were people, sea of people. Umaira clicked photos of the beaches, also selfies and send it to Ibrahim with a text, Umaira: Wish you were here (Sad face)


She then stuffed her phone in the back pocket and walked towards the water carrying a mat and an umbrella. She stood at the edge of the sand and let the waves come and touch her feet. As her feet got immersed in water for few seconds she felt shivers. She liked the feeling, it is soothing. She smiled to herself and closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of water and wet sand in her feet.


Mehran was getting bored and decided to do something other than boring selecting suits for the function, tonight is Mehendi, there is nothing much for gents to do beside feast on the dinner yet the ladies insist they come. Mehran gave the blessing of choosing his suit to Amreen and disappeared.


As he walked through the lobby deciding where to go is when he dashed into Huma. She looked at him and pressed her lips.


'You like dashing into me, eh, Mr. Gorgeous? Tell me, you have a crush on me.' Huma raised her eyebrows.


'What-No...I am sorry.' Mehran cover up clumsily making Huma chuckle. Mehran took a step to walk away when Huma called him, 'You are bumping into me for someone else aren't you?' Huma teased. She smirked when Mehran stood still.


'That someone has gone to Candolim Beach.' Huma said. Mehran turned around and watched Huma walking away. He smiled, he decided the destination where he wants to go.


Umaira walked alongside the beach, her slippers in her hand, gentle breeze ruffling her hair. She looked front and saw a familiar figure, a man dressed in navy blue half sleeved shirt and white Bermuda pants along with a beach hat. He removed his sun glasses and looked into the sea. Umaira smiled.


'Mehran.' She whispered and hurried walked towards him.


'Hey!' she greeted him. Mehran turned his head and found Umaira standing beside him. He is relieved he met her sooner than he had expected.


'Hey!' he replied.


'Come near the water, it is much fun.' Umaira said happily and turned around. Mehran was little apprehensive and kept looking worried. Umaira turned and sighed.


'What happened?' she asked, her eyebrow raised. Mehran smiled awkwardly and shook his head. She held his hand absently and dragged him towards the water. She asked him to remove his shoes, which he obeyed. Umaira held his hand again and the two stood near the water. Mehran watched with a small smile Umaira giggling as the water touched their feet. Her laugh acted as a melody to his ears filling him with warmth and happiness, a feeling that he hadn't truly felt in all these years.


Breeze irritated Umaira as few random strands of her hair kept blowing and in front of her face, at first, she had tried pushing it back but then eventually gave up. As though in trance, Mehran extended his hand and slowly moved the wild random strands. Umaira stopped giggling and looked at him. Their gaze getting locked.


Mehran's finger brushed against her cheek and reflexively she parted her lips, their gaze not moving away from each other. Unknowingly, their fingers of other hand getting entwined. After few more seconds of staring Umaira looked away and her gaze fell on their entwined fingers. She looked at it, the way his fingers filled the gaps of hers, it looked perfect. Perfect fit.


Mehran looked at their hand as well, and then again at her. Umaira looked at him, a sad expression on her face.


'Shall we walk?' Mehran asked. Umaira nodded. Neither of them wanted to let go of their hand and so they walked with their palm clasped together. They didn't look at each other, Mehran looked front while Umaira looked at the sea, a smile on their faces.


'Want to eat corn?' Mehran suggested after a while. Umaira looked and him and gave a small nod. He tugged her hand and walked towards a vendor selling cotton candy, ice-creams and corn.


'Hmm...I want ice-cream.' Umaira said with a naughty grin. Mehran looked at her surprised.


'You will catch cold, silly.' He frowned and Umaira chuckled


'No, I want ice-cream, (she then turned to the vendor) Bhaiya ek...' Mehran held her hand
'You always do this, eat ice-cream in winter and fall sick, then I will have to take care of you.' Mehran said sternly. Umaira stopped laughing and Mehran bit his tongue realizing what he said absentmindedly.


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'Achoo!' Umaira sneezed for 10th time in a row. Mehran sat beside her making faces, disgusting ones.


'Whyyoumakingfaces?' Umaira said and sniffed.


'Huh! Yuck...'Mehran said as a snort leaks from her right nose.


'Whut?' Mehran takes a tissue and held it to her nose, Umaira blew. Mehran scrunched his nose. 'I told you its freezing and don't have ice-cream but you don't listen, Do you?' Mehran spoke like a nagging mother. Umaira rolled her eyes.


'Chill...I...am...fine.' Umaira said leaning back against the bed rest of her hostel room. Mehran shook his head. He leaned forward and took the soup bowl that lay on the bedside table.


'Here have this...'


'Na...'


'Umaira...' he said sternly and glared at her. Umaira instantly nodded like a frightened kid. Mehran bit his tongue to stop his chuckle, her expression priceless.


Mehran slowly fed her, she took a sip and enjoyed feeling the warmth. Mehran smiled seeing her relaxed.


Soon, he was done feeding her. Umaira laid back against the bed rest, he covered her with a duvet.


'Here have this medicines.' He said and forwarded her a tablet and glass of water. Umaira admired him lovingly.


'What?' he frowned.


'I love you.' Umaira said and Mehran smiled.


'I love you too.' Mehran said, leaning forward and he kissed her forehead. Her smile widened.


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