“You just need to walk beside me while I do the work, okay?” I place the tools on the shore, grabbing a few essentials until I hear her soft hiss.
“But I want to participate. I designed this session…” She pulls an adorable sulky face that lifts my mood instantly.
She knows I can’t resist that expression.
“You can hold the trash bag then,” I offer, but she shakes her head.
“Why don’t we take turns collecting the waste? Please, I want to do this.” Her puppy eyes melt me instantly.
I can never deny her anything. I just want her to be happy.
“Alright, but we start with me.” I boop her nose and take her hand as we walk forward.
“I don’t know why guys always try to stop girls from doing physical work! Even Karan held the heavy plant for me and wanted to do everything. It’s irritating.” She groans softly, but I only latch onto the part involving Karan. Of course, he still loves her.
“Let’s keep walking,” I mutter, tightening my grip on her hand and hiding my irritation. She nods, her gaze lingering on me.
The warm sand sinks softly under my feet as we walk along the shore, still holding hands. Waves rush in and slide back, leaving trails of white foam that glimmer under the fading sun. Palm trees sway behind us, their long shadows stretching across the beach. The breeze smells of salt and freedom, and the sky feels endless—blue, bright, and wide above the calm rhythm of the sea.
A perfect moment for a heartfelt conversation and for building new memories.
And having Amyra beside me already feels like a beautiful dream.
“Do you remember the first time we came to the beach with our families?” I turn to her just in time to see her big smile bloom with the memory.
“I do! We were ten, and we wanted to play in the sea for so long, but our parents disagreed. So we ran off, holding hands,and played anyway.” She chuckles, replaying the memory, and I lower my head with a small smile.
“And look at us, still holding hands at the shore.” My voice lifts in a cheerful note, and her smile turns even brighter.
“And we’ll be like this forever, Rey. I’m never going to leave you.”
There’s something different in her gaze, something serious, like a silent promise meant to bind us forever… But as friends.
“You think I’ll ever let you go?” I match her sincerity, and we fall into an intense eye-lock we don’t usually share as friends. Neither of us looks away until she finally breaks the moment.
Her eyes have a kind of magic. Soft, magnetic, and capable of making anyone listen.
An awkward silence settles, and I gently withdraw my hand to ease the tension.
“By the way, Ames…” I pause, watching her, waiting for me to continue.
“We can still play in the sea.” I tug her forward, splashing water on her face. She shrieks, laughing, and throws water back at me until her bright laughter fills the air. She suddenly runs away, and I know exactly what she’s doing.
I sprint after her, relieved to hear her laughter growing louder. I close the distance and wrap my arms around her waist from behind, lifting her into the air. Her head tilts back against my chest, and a sudden wave of bliss shoots through me. My eyes fall shut as I inhale her soft, intoxicating scent, a broad grin stretching across my face.
So this is what heaven feels like.
I tighten my hold and twirl her gently, her delighted giggles soothing every restless corner of my heart.
“Stop, Rey,” she squeals, though not without laughing. I keep her up for a moment longer before carefully placing her down on the shore.
Lately, life has been a storm of anxiety, suppressed emotions, and hollow days, but I kept pushing through with hope and determination. Things with Aditi are improving, and we’re slowly learning to spend more time together. But I haven’t truly hung out with Amyra in so long, and today fills that void.
“It’s like we relived our childhood,” she grins, and I nod.
“Yes.”
“No more goofing around. Let’s get back to work.” She bends to pick up a few tools, and I follow her. After a few focused minutes of collecting the waste, we head back toward the main spot where all the employees have gathered.
