The umami of the sea, the salty air, the breezy morning, cool sand and the warm sun had managed to bring everyone together for a hearty breakfast at one of its restaurants. Even the oldies had joined cheerfully.

"Are hum bhi aa rahe hain bhai! Yaha kya villa me sone aaye hain kya?" Agastya's dadu Kamal Sehgal said with a smile.

How could Mr. Bajaj be left behind. He was even cheekier. "Haan aur kya? These kids think we can't romance alongside the blue waters with our girls! Excuse me bachho, hum abhi bhi jawaan hain! Kyu darling? Aao aaj romantic breakfast kare. Ha ha ha ha."

Aarav chuckled listening 'girls' from Mr.Sunil Bajaj.

"Kya Sunil, aap bhi?" Mrs. Preeti Bajaj playfully said with a coy smile as everyone laughed.

"Inka abhi bhi chaluich hai. Daddy aap kabhi to dadaji jaisa behave kariye!" Prashant patted his forehead commenting on his father's cheek.

And that was how everyone had soon gathered at the restaurant for the first meal of the day. Mr.Bajaj was undoubtedly the most colourful one among the seniors' group. His vibe was still the same as it was in his early years and his witt hadn't dimmed a bit. And everyone loved him for this.

The breakfast was a hearty big meal with options for everyone to choose from. For the healthier ones, the 'let's ditch the diet' ones, the 'i want more chocolate on my pancake' ones and 'let's thank God for the good food' ones. Everyone had delicious options to choose from the wide spread of the buffet. Licking up their plates clean, the seniors opted to stroll on the beach and relax on the sun loungers. The kids had opted for a fruit and vegetable harvesting and picking tour of the island. The parents had already booked a session for "make-your-sushi" couple classes.

"Uncle! Umm, we want to explore the depths of the ocean. I mean, I..I wanted to and Janhavi too looked interested. So, I had booked a scuba dive for both of us. Can I take her along, ofcourse with your permission, please?"

Agastya asked Janhavi's father nervously. Although, he knew, that they were aware about their relationship, still he looked nervous finding all eyes on him.

"Beta! Maine to Janhavi ke liye baking class book ki thi. It will begin in sometime lasting for about 2 hours roughly. Janhavi, I thought you are interested in baking?" Her baba spoke sounding serious making Janhavi nervous and Agastya mum.

"Chal Janhavi! Baking class chalu ho jaygi." He said holding her hand and taking her away a few steps. She, being the obedient one couldn't say anything, especially infront of everyone. Agastya looked at her disappointingly. As he turned to leave, walking a few steps with a sullen face, he heard a whistle.

"Phew! Gusty apni jaanu ke bina enjoy kar lega scuba diving?" Baba asked.

Agastya turned to find him standing few meters away holding Janhavi's hand lightly. Everyone was almost silent. Agastya had a mellow smile as he nodded his head negatively. Prasad left his hold on Janhavi's hand and pushed her ahead a little.

"All yours, young man! Have fun." He said with a wink. Janhavi looked at her baba for confirming his approval. He smiled patting her cheek.

"Jaa Jaanu jaa! Enjoy kar le apne gusty ke sath!" He chuckled making her shy. She hugged him tightly with a smile. "Thank you baba! You're the best baba in the world."

"Nautanki hai meri jaanu. Ban to kitni shareef rahi hai. Iska asli roop koi mujhse pooche. My chichori! Mujhe bhi drama karna pada. Oh lord! I love her man!" Agastya murmured under his breath.

Everyone around them laughed as Janhavi quickly sprinted towards Agastya and jumped over him. He gave her a piggy back ride till the changing rooms and then till the yacht that had been waiting for them with their instructor.

"Aww! Were you scared of baba? Shi bai! Kasla ghabrat ahes tu. Thanda thanda cool cool ekdum. (Chii yaar! Kaisa darpok hai tu)." She rolled her eyes at him with a chuckle.

"Kam bol, samjhi! I am not scared of no one babes! I just respect him. That's it. Chahta to utha ke le jaa sakta tha tujhe unke samne se. So zip up or else I shall zip it down." He said huskily pulling the chain of her scuba wear down a little. She was astonished at his doing and was nervous instantly.

"Ishsha! Agastya, what are you doing?" She asked in whispers finding their instructor standing just close by over the yacht.

"I am romancing my girl friend baby! So that she stops calling me thanda thanda cool cool. I want her to know that her gusty is garam-garam and not at all naram!" He whispered in her ear sensuously biting her ear lobe as he wrapped his arms around her midriff. Planting a soft kiss on her right cheek, he sighed.

"Well! You know how sexy are you looking in this scuba suit? How beautifully it is hugging your body accentuating your curves at the right places. Like fucking hot! Today, you make me want you more than ever before jaan! I want to do things I had been dreaming of, since ever...childhood!"

"Ishsha! Bachpan se hi aisa kuch wild and naughty karna tha tumko? Haw! He he he he."

"Childhood as in not exactly bachpan but teen years you can say! So many painful, cold, alone wet dreams yet naughty ones!" Saying so in whispers he pinched her near the belly button making her squirm.

Listening to him sharing his heart felt for the first time, Janhavi turned to face him. Looking into his eyes to confirm what all he had just said sounded true, she smiled mischievously. There was a hint of naughty glint in her smile and eyes.

She sensuously massaged his nape as she whispered looking into his eyes.

"Your dreams are mine now! But our instructor and the driver at the steering too can visually see your dreams tenting in this body hugging suit! I would want no one to see what's mine. Only mine!" She said sensuously coming closer to his lips.

And soon enough they both burst out laughing like maniacs. "Fuck! Tune dekha? Matlab unko bhi dikhega. What an ass I am."

Agastya said hiding his modesty caving his hands between his legs still laughing leaning on the yacht.

"Ishsha Agastya! Dekha nahi feel kiya. Aai gaa! I couldn't muster the courage to look there. How embarrassing it would be." She said with a chuckle.

Agastya roared with a laughter. "Why embarrassing jaan! It's because of you and only for you. Tu embarrass kyu hogi fir?"

"Oh my dumb-ass boy friend! Tum embarras ho jaoge main dekhungi aise to! M taking bout you baby!"

She said softly feathering her index finger over his chest and tapping on his cheek as she sensuously squeezed her eyes. And they again laughed.

The under-water world was a different sphere. Swimming with the currents, along the colourful fishes and corals, fauna and flora, it felt magical, light and levitated their souls. They were miles away from every worry, chaos that existed in the real world. It was peaceful, vibrant and so magically beautiful that they never wanted their dive to come to an end. But as they say, every good things come to an end for better things to happen.

They had their picnic lunch on the yacht in silence. They were still dazed by the beauty the mighty ocean held underneath. It felt almost powerless and tiny to explore the turquoise warm depts. The sun was warm and the juice they gulped was cold. The ocean was scattered till their eyes could see. They lay looking at nothing with their sun glasses on, holding hands. It was past lunch time when they touched down their island.

Still without saying anything much, they thanked their instructor with warm hugs and walked to their villa to bathe. The kids were enjoying the splash pool and the water slide. Vihaan smiled as soon as he saw them entering the villa.

"How was the dive bhaiya?"

"Out of this world! Literally!" Agastya replied with an endearing smile.

"Wow! Sounds fascinating already. I have asked mom dad to book for us too!" He said pulling Siya by her neck planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

Janhavi cocked her brows at Siya. "Oh! Us? Just the you two? Aww! Sachhi Siya?" She teased Siya with a chuckle.

Siya was baffled instantly as she stammered and pushed Vihaan away softly. "No! He means, all of us. All the kids. Us all! Right Vi?"

Vihaan rubbed his nape a little with a shy smile. "No Si! I meant us. As in you and me. Just the two of us. It's a scuba date! I so wanted to do that with you like since ever."

Agastya and Janhavi coughed a little listening to Vihaan and finding Siya a little surprised at him saying upfront.

"Ahem! Ahem! Well, nice date idea Vihaan! Aww! Not the first date, I am sure." Agastya pulled his leg.

"Ya ya! First date. Officially!" Vihaan said with a smile pulling Siya's hand.

"Excuse me. And when did you ask me for the date thing?" Siya reverted cocking her brows at Vihaan as Janhavi and Agastya chuckled.

"Haw! He didn't even ask you yet? Vihaan? Tch tch tch tch. You're so dead darling!" Janhavi said pouring the oil in the fire.

Vihaan quickly took the opportunity to mend the goof up. Taking her hand in his, he asked her looking at her.

"My prettiness! I am sorry for not asking you before. Please forgive me for that. But I hope it's not late as yet. Can I have the pleasure of taking you for a scuba dive date? I promise, it will be a magical experience. Please say yes babe!"

Siya giggled and pulled her hand out from his hold. Acting a little pricy, she flipped her hair and scrunched her nose. Vihaan was still on his knees waiting for her answer.

"Okay! Offer accepted. But next time, make sure you do not commit for me without asking. Now get up and gimme a hug." She said with a smile. Her cheeks had a rosy tint.

Vihaan instantly hugged, twirling her, planting a kiss on her cheek as he whispered in her ear. "Thank you for saying yes babe!"

Washing up the salty residue in the shower, Agastya and Janhavi felt fresh. Their appetite had gotten bigger being underwater for a few hours. The sandwiches they had were not enough. The swim had made them hungrier. It was late afternoon when Agastya felt his tummy churning.

"Come jaan! Let's go to the shack for a grub and drinks. I am hungry!" Thinking to eat something light, he asked jaanu, applying sunscreen lotion.

They walked holding hands till the beach bar. They got a burger each with chilled beer to wash down the meal. Finishing up, they took a stroll on the beach. The sun was about to set. It was the magical hour of the day. Agastya was playing with her fingers while walking along.

"It all feels so surreal Agastya. Like yakeen hi nahi ho raha that we are together, walking hand in hand on the beach while our families are having fun. It feels like a dream. It's so tough to believe that it's all real after what we have gone through for years." Janhavi shared her feelings and subtle fears. Agastya just smiled tightening his hold on her hand as they walked along the beach.

All of a sudden, Janhavi suggested to play a game. It was a unique one that Agastya hadn't ever known about.

"Gusty! Let's play 'Baatantakshari'!"

He asked confused. "What? What's that now?"

Janhavi explained. "Arre! Its super fun as you find the pace. Baaton-ki-antakshari. One will say anything and the other will have to say anything relevant starting with that last letter or pronunciation. For example, if I say anything that ends at bolo, so you will have to say something relevant starting with lo or la. It should be a meaningful conversation. You know I and Poorvi used to play in the hostel. It had started as fun initially but then we both picked up the liking and it became our favourite pass time. Later Arjun too joined us. So you start first so that it's easy for you. The scenario is main gussa hoon, tum manao mujhe!"

Agastya found it quite unique and thought to give it a try. As suggested he started first.

Agastya: "Sun naa."

Jaanu: "Nahi sunana!" She rolled her eyes.

Agastya: "Naa mat kaho naa please. Zara idhar to dekh meri jaan."

Jaanu: "Nahi chahti main ki main dekhu aur fir tum control naa kar pao." She almost chuckled.

Agastya: "Ohh hoo! Control to bahut hai baby. I was just so good at it till I confessed." He smirked as he now had understood to play around.

Jaanu: "Do you know other girls too had been drooling over you?" She said as her cheeks had puffed a little making her look cute.

Agastya: "Yun keh naa saaf saaf ki tu jealous hai, tujhe problem hai?"

Jaanu: "Haan hai! Hai problem. Lo keh diya!" She pouted sadly still looking miffed a bit.

Agastya: "Yaar! Kya karu yakeen dilane that I am into only you my baby." He said truthfully looking into her eyes.

Jaanu: "Become hot and happening! Do something opposite of thanda thanda cool cool." She jerked her neck throwing attitude while silently smiling.

Agastya: "Look at me!" He said sternly yet in a soft voice.

Jaanu: "Mujhe kya milega by looking at you? Bribe me!" She threw a bait smirking inwardly.

Agastya: "Much awaited things, may be!" Agastya picked up the right cheek pinning the point.

Jaanu: "Matlab? What's much awaited? Say clearly!" Her heart was pounding in her chest fast.

Agastya: "Look into my eyes to find the answer." He said pulling her closer.

Jaanu: "Rather, I would look at your sexy pout to claim it?" She said boldly, just to keep the game going that had heated things up, romantically.

The sky was pink and it had become breezy. The waves washed at their bare feet. The water still felt warm on their skins. Agastya had held her by her arm, pulling her even closer. The sun had almost set. They could hear the chirp of the birds returning to their nests. And the waves' susurration added a calming effect to the already beating hearts.

Janhavi's eye-lids batted against fluttering slowly. Her chest heaved with her elongated breaths. Agastya was looking into her eyes with a smile. She smiled back softly feeling nervous. That's when Agastya asked huskily against her trembling lips, to end the game.

Agastya: To the friendship and love and lust, only for my jaan. May I please?

Her eyes moved away, looking down in shyness and the smile still was intact. She was sweating a little being nervous. Taking her gesture for a yes, Agastya gently rubbed his thumb on her cheek. She still couldn't look at him. He kissed her forehead and slowly tilting his neck, his lips touched her verges. Taking it gently he kissed her. They both smiled as their eyes shut feeling the moment. The maiden kiss. The most magical moment of their lives that they both had saved for each other. Her hands held his nape for support as the tears ushered.

Tears of love, of wait, of the distance that had creeped between them. Tears of realisation that it was happening in real, of that magical moment, of the happiness. Tears of mixed emotions trickled down her supple cheeks that mingled with Agastya's kiss on his lips. He smiled finding her tearful. It was a slow, gentle kiss full of love and warmth.

Pulling away, he kissed away her tears as her lips still trembled. He kissed her eyelids and again kissed her back. This time the kiss was fervent. He bit and chewed her lips, though softly. Soon finding her breathless and to catch a breath himself, he withdrew smiling broadly looking at her cocking his brows.

She hid her face in her hands chuckling out of shyness.

"Ishsha! Agastya."

He came closer to her whispering into her left ear.

"Abhi bhi sapna lag raha hai? Yaa yakeen ho gaya? Nahi to...I can make you believe, again." He chuckled.

"No need! I will do it myself to believe it to be true." And saying so, she kissed Agastya. He would have almost disbalanced but somehow managed to save themselves from falling down. He let her lead and she was good at it. He loved how a minute before she was hiding her face in her hands being shy and the next minute, she lead the kiss boldly.

He was in love with her this side more. She could manage to play coy and bold striking a perfect balance.

"I love you baby! Gosh, I've been dying to kiss you since ever. Our first kiss, so so magical baby!"

Agastya chuckled as he cocked his right brow asking her aptly.

"First kiss? Are you sure jaan?"

She almost had fumbled but heard whistles nearby. It was Vihaan who had whistled and others had been clapping rejoicing.

This had made Janhavi shy as Agastya too rubbed his nape smiling sheepishly whispering into her ear.

"I love you jaan! Well, you taste so so good and sweet. Yummers! We shall talk about our kiss in the night while I would be kissing you back."

And they walked towards the clapping circus with smiles, goosebumps and butterflies.

_______________________________

Play this game and you will fall in love with it. It's so much fun. It began unplanned as I happened to answer to my husband's question over something he had asked in a sing-a-song tone a week before Diwali while playing with Agastya. And somehow we continued laughing away while Agastya clapped finding us both laughing madly.

I thought it was the apt way to bring fun yet build sensuous moments before their first kiss as this game would culminate into the kiss.

Plz do vote if it made you smile and add your comments.

Happy reading
Love  ❤️