"Should we get this?" Priti asked, tugging a handmade jute basket as Shams nodded, "Sure, get a few." 
Seeing the massive grin on Priti's face, Nisha couldn't help but smile. 
She diverted her attention to Adil and Adisha fighting over some pickles. 
"This achar is mine." 
"Nope, this mango achar is mine. You take the tamarind one." 

"You can just ask the shopkeeper for two," Atif suggested, earning gasps from the two youngsters.
"You're a mastermind." Adil winked, earning a sigh from his elder sister. 

"Why are they so strange..." Nisha whispered to herself, sighing. 

When Kabir's frame — busy going through something in the shop — caught her sight, she frowned.

Intrigued, she slowly approached him intending to peek but Wahi was quick enough to call her before.
"Nisha! Come here, please." 
"Oh..." She pressed her lips, disappointed. 

She wanted to bother him a bit. 

Turning around, she walked towards Wahi, unaware of the pair of eyes watching her sneakily behind her. 
"I think she'll like this more," Kabir whispered, smiling as he rumbled through a few tribal bracelets. They were handmade and different with large and colourful beads and he was sure Nisha would love these. 

—Time skip—

"Let's go back now. We have yet to visit the beach!" Ajay pestered Shams who sighed, "We've been buying stuff at the Burmese Market for hours now. I'm tired." 
"But we'll be leaving Cox's Bazar in two days."
"We're going to Saint Martin... then." Atif inserted, enjoying his tamarind achar. 

"I'm also tired," Priti spoke, plopping on the sofa of their hotel room. 

Nisha leaned against the wall, scanning the people until her eyes fell on Kabir, staring in her direction. He looked away as soon as their eyes met, confusing her slightly but she shrugged it off. 
Her heart was overwhelmed enough to imagine anything more.

There were several hotel rooms they booked yet everyone was in Priti and Shams's one. A quite tragic couple they were sometimes.

———

The next day came by in a jiffy as everyone was gathered at the beach.

"Adil, move your t-shirt!" Adisha screamed, making the elders sigh. Shams's and Priti's parents sat at a side, enjoying some refreshments while the youngsters were enjoying themselves near the sea. 

Nisha smiled, rolling up the sleeves of her t-shirt and ran towards Priti but got interrupted by a figure blocking her way. 
"Stop interrupting them." Kabir tilted his head, making her frown.
"What do you mean?" 
"Let them enjoy the minimum private time they get together." 

She pursed her lips, "I don't know what you mean." 
Chuckling, he leaned in closer to her, "Oh you definitely know what I mean." 

A small smile appeared on her face, thanks to his tone.
"Where were you all morning?" 
"Work calls." 
"Oh. You didn't give me updates about your work progress." She said, trying to hide her disappointment. He frowned, "Do you want to know that boring stuff?"
"That's not boring. It's an important factor to you." 

She watched his lips tilt into a smile which soon transformed into a full grin. 
"You flatter me." He mumbled. 

A glint of surprise overtook her at his flushed cheeks.

"Are you blushing? At that statement?" She blinked twice, trying to decipher his expressions. He hid his face, "No way... you wish." 
"You are blushing." 

"Shut up. Let's play." He said, sneakily intertwining their hands and running towards the seashore along with her. 
Gasping, she tried to free her hands, "Ey! Maa and Baba will notice." 
"They're too busy with the oldies talks with Shams's parents. Don't worry, idiot." 
"Stop calling me an idiot." 
"You are one." 
"That's you." 

She stared at him as he gave her a mischievous smile. She wondered what he was about to say but flinched when he splashed water from the sea at her. 
"You—" She pointed towards him while he was busy fleeing off. 
"Stop right there!" She chased him while splashing water on his back. He repeatedly glanced back, laughing at her failed attempts. 
"Kabir! Stop!" She panted, glaring at him.

He stuck his tongue out, "Loser." 
"What a little—" She let out a miserable laugh, finding the situation ridiculous. 
He approached her with a devious smile, "Accepting defeat?"
She looked up at him, "You wish." 

His eyes widened when she grabbed his arms, trying to push him into the water.
"Stop!" He laughed, resisting her attack as she tried harder. Instead of backing away, he pulled her closer, smirking when her body stilled. 

It was nearly afternoon and there were many people around. But he couldn't care any less about it. 

She looked up, meeting his gaze as he smiled, "You're no match for me."
"What do you mean?" Her distracted tone reached his ears.

Her eyes scanned their proximity, turning hazy as thoughts clouded in her brain. She felt a soft tug at her heart, acknowledging his arms that guarded her yet ensured not to touch her. 

"Are you sure you learnt Taekwondo?"
She scowled at the sudden interruption to her thoughts, retorting, "Of course, I did. Are you underestimating me?" 
He nodded enthusiastically. 

She looked away, fed up with his teasings, "Whatever. Leave me alone. I'm done playing around with you."

"But I'm not done." He spoke, tilting his head. 
"Huh? When will you be done? Weirdo." She scoffed, looking at him to see his devious smirk replaced by a soft smile. 

"I don't think I'll ever be done playing around with you." 

Her scowl dissipated, replaced by a surprised face as he smiled, leaning closer to her face. Her gaze fell to his lips, a lump forming in her throat. 

His lips quivered slightly as he noticed her gaze, "Nisha." 
"Huh?" She asked, still dazed by his proximity. 

His lips looked luscious. 

Fuck.

She wasn't one to think such things but right now, she wasn't herself. She was the Nisha who didn't fear thinking something that would contradict her usual self. What even was one's usual self? 

Her heart thumped inside her chest as she licked her lips, letting her gaze travel from his lips to his eyes and vice versa. 

His face looked a hundred times more attractive when he was wet and now she knew it. 
"Nisha?" She might've heard him ask but wasn't in the condition to answer. 

His dark locks stuck to his forehead, making him look younger and more adorable. He'd always been that in a way but now, the chain of thoughts hit her like a train. 

"Nisha!" His loud voice shook her out of her thoughts as she gave him a surprised look.

"You're red." He whispered as she frowned, "Huh?" 

He let out a laugh, "Are you okay?" 

Tapping her nose, he smiled when she gasped, backing away.
"Hey. What are you doing—"
"I thought you were hypnotized for a moment." He sighed, shaking his head. 
"What do you mean?" Instead of answering her, he gave her a knowing smile and walked away. She watched his back, her loud heartbeats muffling the noises of the people around.

Did she seriously become hypnotized for a moment? 

She came out of her trance when Ajay approached her, splashing water on her. 
"What the—" She gasped, seeing Atif, Ajay, Kabir, Wahi, Shams and Priti along with the kids running around while splashing water everywhere.
"How come I'm not in?" She shouted, joining in with the others.

—Next day—

"Achoo!" Nisha sneezed for the hundredth time during the day, sniffing. 
"How come someone catches a cold at the beach?"
"I told you it's not a cold. I'm fine." She frowned, eyeing Priti who scoffed, "Every time we come to the beach, you spend excess time in the water and catch a cold." 
"None of you caught a cold, why's it just me?" She sighed, heaving out a disappointed sigh.

"It's fine. We're leaving for Saint Martin's Island tomorrow anyway. Don't worry. Let's head out tonight to grab some Cox's Bazar's street food." Priti suggested, glancing at Adisha who was rolling on the bed.
"Are you coming, Adi?" 
"Yep." She nodded.

"Also, why are you sulking most of the time?" Priti asked as Adisha frowned, "When did I?"
"Leave her to be... *achoo* She's in her puberty age, after all." Nisha sighed, sniffing on a tissue as Priti sighed. From the corner of her eyes, Nisha saw the guys entering their hotel room.
"Guys, let's go out— What's wrong with Nisha?" Shams frowned at the female figures.

Priti shook her head, "She's catching a cold." 
"I thought we could go to the beach and have some ice—" He shut his mouth, intimidated by Priti's persistent glare. 
Smiling at Nisha, she said, "Well, we'll go out and bring some hot food for you. Rest well." 
Atif peeked beside Shams's head, "Oh no. Rest for a day or two, Nisha. We'll be able to rock in Saint Martins!" 

She nodded, sneezing once again. 

Her eyes searched amidst the three guys, not finding her desired figure. 

Where was Kabir? She wondered.

"Where's Kabir?" Priti asked, glancing at her. 

Wow, did they have telekinesis power? Or was she also curious? 

"He's taking work calls. I think he's busy with his project." Atif spoke, sighing.
Wahi leaned against the wall, "I hope it turns out as a grand success for him. He's spent a lot of effort on this." 
"Even though it's a small business entrepreneurship, I hope he can make a huge impact," Ajay mumbled, earning a few nods from around.

Nisha fidgeted with her fingers, Kabir's face flashing in her mind. Letting out a wispy smile, she was about to speak but her ringing phone interrupted. 
"Who's it?" Priti asked as she checked, answering, "Ah, it's a work call." 

"Why is everyone so busy with work?" Atif frowned, looking at Shams who was busy texting something on his phone. 
"Are we the only ones who have nothing good to do?" Ajay asked, shifting his eyes between Atif and Wahi who shrugged.
"My parents have lots of money, why should I work?" Wahi shrugged as Atif replied, "I think mine too." 

—Time skip—

"Hey guys! Am I late?" Kabir asked, approaching the others who were busy eating ice golas. 
"Ah, here's one for you too!" Atif forwarded a glass to him as he smiled, "I don't like this. I want another one." 
Atif let out a scoff, "You don't value my kindness."
"Good that you know." 

Shams sighed, "Stop, guys. Move away. Let me eat in peace with my wife." 
Kabir looked around, frowning after a few moments. 
"What's wrong?" Ajay asked.
"Where's Nisha?" 

"I told you he'd ask that," Wahi whispered to Priti who chuckled at him. 
"She's sick so she didn't join." Atif spoke, earning a loud 'huh' from Kabir. His brows clashed together as he faced Priti, "Why is she sick? When did she even get sick? Why did I not know? And why did you guys leave her alone?" 

"Why are you attacking my wife?" Shams frowned. 
"Shut up. Tell me, Priti." Kabir turned to the woman again.

"She tends to catch a cold whenever we spend too much time in water. She's a little sensitive. That's why she's resting at the hotel." 

Seeing Kabir's face, Wahi said, "Why do you look so disconsolated?" 
Kabir sighed, shaking his head, "How long are we staying here?" 

"Probably an hour or so. Why?"
"Isn't she alone in the hotel? The elders went to the Burmese Market though." 
"Oh yeah. She's sleeping... I called her a while ago." Priti replied. He nodded, looking around in dejection.
She was the reason he rushed to the beach. 

"Let's get some hot seafood soup. They're selling some nearby." Ajay suggested, walking towards a food stall nearby with many people. As they stood in front of it, Kabir smiled slightly.
The illuminated fairy lights surrounding the stall shone very brightly. He could imagine Nisha's surprised face as she stared at the lights for a good second before shrugging them off. 

He regretted not leaving work calls in the afternoon and joining them for snacks. At least he'd be able to see Nisha.

Inserting his hands into his pocket, he fumbled with the bracelet he had kept inside. He intended to give it to her tonight but fate had other plans. 

"Kabir, don't you want any?"
"Who eats hot soup after eating ice gola?" He scowled.
"It's not for us, we're getting this for Nisha. And you didn't have the ice golas at all." Shams nudged his elbows, "Are you tired? You seem dull."
"Yeah, a little." 

They packed a serving of hot soup as Atif held it, "Kabir, can you—" 
"No. I think I should leave now, I'm really tired. Goodnight guys." He turned around, and walked away, feeling fed up with the atmosphere. 
"I thought he could deliver this to Nisha's room." Atif sighed as Priti replied, "It's okay. We can heat it up for her late—"

"Give it to me." Everyone's eyes diverted to the figure forwarding his hands. Kabir stood there with a small smile, "No matter what you say, I should help you guys. Sorry for leaving though, I'm very tired after all." 
Shams raised a brow, "You are helping? You?" 
"Yes, why?" 
"He's not the one to help others without a return." Ajay whispered as Wahi nodded, "What do you want in return?" 

"Nothing. Why would I want something?" Kabir frowned, eyeing his friends.
"I'll help you. What do you take me for?" 
Priti smiled, "Ah, you did help. If you want something, do tell me." 
"Of course." Kabir snatched the bag and waved at them, "Ah, see you then! Bye!"

"Why does he suddenly seem so happy?" Wahi asked as Atif shrugged, "I don't have a single idea."
"In the past ten years, he's never helped me without something in return. I mean, excluding the hard times, he always loves to joke around. This is new." Shams whispered, eyeing his best friend's back. 
"The thing is, you all are dumb." Adisha sighed, crossing her arms over her chest with a soft smile. 

Kabir swayed along the way with the soup and smiled, "I don't need to tell her what I want. I'm on my way to getting it anyway."