After Three months
Arav:
Time had flown by like a fleeting breeze. It had been three months since I arrived here, and somehow, this place had started to feel like home, though everyone was once a stranger. I lay in bed, gazing at Prem beside me. His face, so peaceful in sleep, stirred something inside me—each time I looked at him, the soft sound of waves echoed in my mind, as if the ocean itself were tethered to him. A gentle smile crept across his lips while he dreamt, and I found myself smiling too, without even knowing why.
Reluctantly, I slipped out of bed, refreshed myself, and headed downstairs. Sis was bustling with customers, her hands moving swiftly yet gracefully. I lingered for a moment, feeling aimless, then decided to take Chotu outside to play on the sand. We tossed the ball back and forth for a few minutes, but boredom settled in too quickly. Something felt off today, a dullness I couldn't shake. So I returned inside, offering my help to Sis. Even then, as I moved around, trying to busy myself, a strange emptiness lingered.
This passage has a playful and slightly melancholic tone, capturing both the boredom and subtle connection between the narrator and Prem. I'll polish it a bit to enhance the emotional depth and flow while preserving the essence of your scene:
I kept glancing at the clock, feeling as if I was physically pushing the second hand forward with sheer frustration. Time seemed to drag, stretching endlessly. I couldn't take it anymore. I headed straight upstairs, climbed onto the bed, and leaned close to Prem's ear, shouting, "I'm bored, help me!"
I braced myself, thinking he would be annoyed by my outburst. But instead, he merely shifted to his left with a lazy groan. I sat there, quiet now, a sense of loneliness creeping in as I wondered if anyone really cared. Seconds passed in silence, and then—without warning—Prem grabbed my hand, pulling me toward him. I tumbled to his side, landing on the right, facing him again. My eyes locked on his face as he slowly opened his eyes, still heavy with sleep.
"You haven't really looked around here, have you?" Prem mumbled, his voice soft and groggy.
"What's there to see?" I replied, my voice sharper than I intended. "It's just sand and water. Nothing exciting."
He gave a small, thoughtful hum before speaking again. "Hmm, maybe. But try seeing it through my eyes. You might find it interesting."
Prem rolled out of bed, got ready, and then casually pulled me up, insisting we head down for food. After we ate, he led me to the diving boat docks. Without much explanation, he rented a boat, started the engine, and we set off into the ocean. The hum of the motor filled the air as we sped away from the island, the vast blue stretching endlessly before us. After an hour, we arrived at Bangaram Island, a place buzzing with life. We explored the area, ate, and eventually found a pair of relaxing chairs on the beach, the waves gently lapping at the shore. I leaned back, letting the view soak into my senses.
Just as I was feeling truly relaxed, Prem broke the silence with an unexpected question. "What's your ideal type?"
I blinked, taken aback by the randomness of it. My mind scrambled to make sense of his curiosity. "Are you planning on finding me someone?" I shot back with a hint of sarcasm, my eyes narrowing playfully.
"Hmm… Who knows? You might stumble upon the person you've been searching for all along." His tone was teasing, but something in his words sent a shock through me. How did he know I was longing for a partner—a love that felt balanced, reciprocal, like two halves completing a whole?
I turned to him, curiosity piqued. "How do you know I'm seeking love?" My voice had an edge of eagerness, unable to hide the intrigue his words had sparked.
"Come on," Prem teased in a playful tone. "You've been here for more than three months now. We've shared a roof, even the same room and bed. How could I not know you by now?"
*I paused, his words stirring something inside me. Oh yeah, I thought to myself. I never really saw it that way.
"It almost feels like we're... dating or something," Prem added softly, his voice carrying a hint of tenderness.
I choked on my breath, completely caught off guard by his words. The thought had never crossed my mind until this moment, and it left me reeling.
Prem must have noticed my reaction, because he spoke again, his tone gentler now. "Love is a feeling that can exist between anyone. It's not confined to gender or age. If you feel it, embrace it."
His words lingered in the air, and for a moment, I felt something shift within me. It was as if I had just learned a new lesson, something no one had ever taught me before. A desire stirred in me—a yearning to embark on a journey I knew the destination of but not the path.
I wrestled with my thoughts. It wasn't that I was into boys. Back when I studied in Los Angeles, I had been in relationships with girls. I tried to find what I was looking for, but it always seemed just out of reach. Was the fault in me—or was it something else?
Pushing aside my own uncertainties, I turned the conversation back to him. "Enough about me," I said with eager curiosity. "What's your type?"
This passage captures a moment of suspense and curiosity, where the narrator is waiting for answers while Prem's demeanor and actions provoke new questions. I'll help finish the scene and enrich the emotional and atmospheric details:
I waited for his answer, but silence stretched between us. I searched his eyes, but they seemed empty, like a void—no trace of emotion that I could grasp.
"When we love someone," Prem finally said, his voice low and steady, "there's always that fear of losing them. I never want to feel that—not ever."
Before I could respond, his phone rang, cutting through the moment. He glanced at me briefly before stepping away to answer it. As he walked a few paces off, I watched him closely. His face lit up in a way I hadn't seen before—there was brightness, a kind of energy that filled him. His voice softened as he spoke, respectful, almost reverent. It was like he was talking to someone who mattered deeply to him. I'd seen him like this a few times before, but I never knew who he was speaking to.
Curiosity tugged at me, but I stayed quiet, simply observing from afar. After a few minutes, Prem ended the call and made his way back to me.
"Are we leaving now?" I asked, trying to push away the uneasy feeling that had settled in my chest.
Prem shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Not yet. What I wanted to show you is just about to start." He glanced at his watch. "It's 6:30 pm now. In about an hour, you'll see."
"There's going to be a party here soon," Prem said casually, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "All the people on vacation will gather. Who knows? You might even find your lover."
I raised an eyebrow, wondering why he seemed so invested in my love life. It made me uneasy, and without another word, I pulled my hat over my face and settled back for a nap, shutting out his probing thoughts.
Half an hour later, the beach began to fill with people. The once quiet space was now buzzing with laughter and chatter, and from a nearby bar, soft music floated through the air, setting the mood. I stirred from my nap as Prem walked over, pulling me to my feet. He led me toward a restroom, handing me a set of clothes.
"Go on, freshen up," he said with a smile. "And put these on."
I stepped into the restroom and changed. The outfit was perfect, matching the beach party vibe with an effortless ease. Sometimes, I couldn't help but admire Prem's taste. He had a keen eye for colors, patterns, and the way they complemented each other. He always had this cool sense of style, choosing things that felt just right.
When I emerged, we found a table near the bar. Prem had already ordered a glass of whisky and now turned to me, waiting for my choice. I hesitated, my mind racing. I had never touched alcohol before—not even during my time abroad. It wasn't that I was restricted by my parents; I just never felt the urge to step over that line. Sometimes I wondered if I was just too cautious, afraid to dare and cross boundaries.
But now, something inside me stirred. Maybe it was the atmosphere—the music, the crowd, the fact that Prem always seemed so sure of himself. Or maybe it was just me, tired of playing it safe. I glanced at the bar again and made a decision.
"I'll have a drink," I said, surprising even myself.
"Hmm... anything is fine," I nodded, unsure of what I was getting into.
Prem ordered a cocktail, and I began sipping it slowly. It didn't taste like alcohol; more like a fruity mocktail with just a hint of something else. The music shifted, the beat becoming more infectious, and before I knew it, Prem grabbed my hand, pulling me into the crowd. We danced—well, I was mostly just moving with the rhythm, but Prem, he was alive in the music. I noticed a few girls gravitating towards him, laughing and dancing with him.
I kept dancing in my own space, but then, I felt a presence beside me. A foreign girl approached, her energy vibrant, her smile magnetic. She joined me, and soon we were dancing together, her interest in me clear. After about ten minutes, we both drifted towards the bar. Not knowing much about drinks, I asked her to order something for us.
"Tequila shots," she said with a mischievous grin as she placed the order.
The drinks arrived, but just as we were about to take them, her phone buzzed. A photo popped up on the screen—her, wrapped in the arms of a man, both smiling warmly. She picked up the call with a cheerful tone. "Okay, babe. Love you. I'll be there soon..." she said sweetly, the words echoing in my head.
I excused myself quickly, muttering something about the restroom. Inside the dimly lit space, I splashed water on my face, trying to shake off the strange mix of emotions swirling inside me—disappointment, confusion, maybe even a little foolishness.
When I came back out, I saw her still on the phone, her voice soft and affectionate. Something inside me shifted. I returned to the counter, feeling a sharp twist in my chest. Without thinking, I grabbed the shots and downed four tequila shots in rapid succession. The warmth spread through my body quickly, but soon after, the world around me began to blur. Colors and sounds merged into a dizzying haze, and the only thing I could see clearly was Prem's face, his expression filled with concern as he approached me.
And then... everything went dark.
****************************************************************************************************
My head was pounding, the pain sharp and relentless—the first hangover I'd ever experienced. I groaned, reaching for my phone on the table beside me. As I unlocked the screen, my heart stopped. Fifty-six missed calls from Indu. My mind raced. Why had she called so many times? Indu never blew up my phone like this. A million thoughts ran through my mind, each one more troubling than the last.
I glanced over at Prem, still asleep on the bed, and slipped out of the room as quietly as I could. My fingers trembled as I dialed Indu back.
"Hello? Where the hell have you been? Why didn't you answer my calls?" Indu's voice was sharp, filled with panic.
"What happened? Is everything okay?" I asked, a growing dread building in my chest.
There was a brief pause, and then she said the words that made my world tilt off its axis. "Your parents have decided to get a divorce."
I froze. My phone slipped from my hand, crashing onto the floor. My mind was spinning, a chaotic swirl of disbelief, fear, and pain. Divorce? How had it come to this? My parents, the anchors of my life, were suddenly tearing apart, and I hadn't seen it coming. Numbly, I bent to pick up my phone, my hands shaking as I held it.
I stumbled back into the room, my legs barely holding me up. My thoughts were a storm of emotions, swirling faster than I could process them. I needed to leave. I needed to be home. Quickly, I started packing my things. As I zipped up my bag, I glanced over at Prem, still asleep. I felt a sharp pang of guilt in my chest—I hated leaving without saying goodbye. I scribbled a quick note and left it on the table.
"Emergency came up. Had to leave. Sorry I couldn't wake you soon will again." I wrote, trying to keep the note short and simple, though the words felt hollow.
I hurried downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest. I found Sis busy with customers and quickly pulled her aside.
"I need to leave, Sis. Something urgent has come up," I explained hastily, the weight of my decision pressing down on me.
She nodded, concern flickering in her eyes but not asking any questions. With one final glance at the place that had become a second home, I rushed out, catching a cab to the airport. Bangalore felt far away, but it was the only place I needed to be right now.