Aprajita looked at the plain bed before turning to him. A faint smile curved her lips. "Thank you."
Rakshit glanced at her. "For what?"
She hesitated for a moment. "For... this" her hands gestured towards the bed.
He didn't respond. Instead, he checked his watch "Lunch should be here in about fifteen minutes."
She blinked. "You already ordered?"
He nodded. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I asked them to send a little of everything."
A small smile appeared on her face. "That was thoughtful."
"It was practical," he corrected, without looking up.
She laughed softly. "If that's what you want to call it."
Just then, the doorbell rang. "Lunch, sir."
The staff arranged everything neatly on the outdoor dining table overlooking the endless ocean.
Fresh grilled fish, vegetable pasta, garlic bread, tropical fruits, coconut water and a small dessert were laid out one by one.
The aroma alone made Aprajita smile.
"I think you really did order everything."
Rakshit looked at the table. "I wasn't taking any chances."
She laughed. "I'm beginning to understand your definition of practical."
After lunch, Aprajita wandered towards the glass doors once again. Her eyes drifted to the infinity pool. She had looked at it several times since they had arrived. Yet she still couldn't stop staring.
The crystal-clear water blended so perfectly with the ocean beyond that it almost looked endless.
She stepped outside slowly. The breeze lifted a few strands of her hair as she stood there, completely mesmerised.
Rakshit noticed and followed her. She didn't realise he had joined her until he stopped beside her. After a long silence, she spoke. "People actually come here just to relax?"
He frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
She gestured towards the ocean. "The water... the silence... all this." She smiled sheepishly. "It doesn't feel real."
He glanced up from his phone "You really don't know how to relax, do you?"
She immediately looked at him. "Coming from the man who checks emails during meals?"
He opened his mouth to argue. Then, without another word, he switched it off and slipped it into his pocket. "I deserved that."
A victorious smile spread across her face. "You do."
He shook his head with quiet amusement. "You've become surprisingly bold."
She smiled innocently. "We agreed we'd behave like friends."
"I remember."
"So friends are allowed to tease each other." She smiled.
A little while later, Rakshit went inside to unpack. When he returned, he found Aprajita sitting on the edge of the infinity pool. She had changed into comfortable clothes.
A paperback novel rested in one hand. A bottle of juice sat beside her. Instead of swimming, she had simply rolled up her jeans and dipped her feet into the cool water.
A contented sigh escaped her lips. "This..." She smiled to herself. "...is perfect." She tried reading. Barely two pages later, she looked up again.
Every few minutes, she absent-mindedly splashed the water with her feet, smiling at the endless stretch of blue before her.
Rakshit stood watching her for several seconds.
Finally, he spoke. "You're behaving like a child."
She looked up without the slightest embarrassment. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You've been sitting there for twenty minutes."
"I know."
"You could actually swim."
"I will." She gently kicked the water again. "But first I want to enjoy this."
He folded his arms. "You're only sitting there."
Her eyes returned to the ocean. "I've never been outside India before." There was quiet excitement in her voice. "I've only seen places like this in photographs." She smiled. "I honestly thought people edited the colour of the water."
Rakshit found himself looking at her instead of the sea. He had travelled abroad countless times.
Luxury hotels.
Business conferences.
Private resorts.
Over the years, they had all begun to feel the same. Ordinary. But somehow, watching someone experience it for the very first time made him notice the beauty he'd long stopped seeing.
Without realising it, the corner of his lips lifted ever so slightly. Aprajita caught it instantly. "There."
He frowned. "What?"
"You smiled."
"I didn't."
"You definitely did."
"I wasn't smiling."
She pointed at him triumphantly. "You were."
He looked away. "I think the sun is affecting your eyesight."
Her laughter echoed across the quiet villa.
💛
By evening, the golden hues of the setting sun had painted the sky in shades of orange and pink. The beach, which had been quiet during the afternoon, was now alive with couples strolling along the shore and tourists trying different water sports.
After changing into comfortable clothes, Rakshit and Aprajita made their way towards the water sports counter.
The moment they reached, an instructor greeted them with an enthusiastic smile.
"Good evening, sir, ma'am! Ready for the jet ski ride?"
Rakshit nodded. Water sports had always been one of the few things he genuinely enjoyed during vacations. Unlike business meetings or formal dinners, the sea demanded nothing from him except that he enjoy the moment.
The instructor led them towards two jet skis floating gently near the shore. As he began explaining the controls and safety instructions, Rakshit listened attentively, asking a couple of questions about the route.
Beside him, Aprajita stared at the machine with growing uncertainty.
The instructor demonstrated how to balance, accelerate and make turns, but the more he explained, the more nervous she became.
When he finally finished, he smiled at her. "Ma'am, you'll come with me on this one..!!"
Aprajita immediately shook her head. "I... I don't think I can do this."
The instructor chuckled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll handle everything."
She took a hesitant step back "No... it's okay. You both go ahead."
Turning towards Rakshit, she forced a smile. "I'll stay here and watch you."
Rakshit, who had already climbed onto one of the jet skis, looked at her for a long moment. Even behind his sunglasses, she could feel his gaze resting on her.
After a brief silence, he spoke. "You come with me."
Aprajita looked at him, completely taken aback. "Me?"
He simply nodded once.Before she could respond, the instructor grinned. "Perfect idea, sir!"
He laughed good-naturedly as he looked between them. "It'll be romantic. You two are newly married."
Aprajita immediately lowered her eyes, feeling warmth creep up her cheeks. She stole a quick glance at Rakshit.
His expression hadn't changed. He merely waited for her answer, as though it was the most practical solution in the world.
He wasn't going to ask again. Taking a quiet breath, she walked towards him.
The instructor helped her climb onto the jet ski behind Rakshit.
The moment she settled into the seat, her fingers hesitantly rested on his shoulders.
Rakshit glanced back slightly. "Hold me tight."
She swallowed. "I... I can't."
He frowned."Why?"
"It's slippery."She looked at her damp palms helplessly. "My hands keep slipping."
Without another word, Rakshit reached back. His fingers gently found her wrists.
For a second, Aprajita completely forgot how to breathe.
He guided both her hands away from his shoulders and carefully wrapped her arms around his waist. "There," he said quietly.
"You'll have a better grip." His hands lingered only long enough to make sure she was holding on properly before letting go.
The warmth of his body seeped through the thin fabric of his T-shirt. Aprajita sat frozen behind him.
Her heart hammered wildly against her ribs. It was such a simple gesture.
Practical.
Necessary.
Yet her entire world seemed to have tilted. She quickly lowered her head, hoping he wouldn't notice the smile she couldn't suppress.
Rakshit started the engine. The jet ski rumbled to life beneath them."You ready?" he asked.
Aprajita tightened her arms around him almost instinctively. "I don't think so."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Good."
Before she could ask what he meant, he accelerated. The jet ski shot across the turquoise water, sending cool sprays of seawater into the air.
A startled scream escaped Aprajita as she instinctively buried her face against his back, holding him tighter than before.
Rakshit couldn't help smiling. For the first time in years, he wasn't riding alone.
The jet ski skimmed across the turquoise water, leaving a trail of white foam behind them. The initial fear slowly gave way to excitement.
Aprajita cautiously lifted her head from Rakshit's back and looked around. Endless shades of blue stretched in every direction.
"This is beautiful..." she breathed.
"It gets better," Rakshit replied, slowing the jet ski slightly.
She looked at him curiously. "How did you even learn to ride this?"
He kept his eyes on the water. "I am riding just like that"
She frowned. "Huhhh?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips. "My father used to bring me to beach resorts whenever he had time off."
He looked ahead as though remembering those days. "I've been riding jet skis since I was eighteen."
Her eyes widened. "Eighteen?"
He nodded. "Every vacation."
She looked at him with newfound admiration. "So you've been doing this for years."
"Hm."
Just then, the instructor riding a short distance away raised his hand and pointed towards the open sea. "Dolphins!"
Both of them turned instinctively. A few metres away, two spinner dolphins leapt gracefully out of the water before disappearing beneath the waves.
Aprajita gasped. "Oh my God!" She excitedly pointed towards the spot where they had vanished. "Did you see that?"
Rakshit smiled and nodded. "I did."
Before she could say anything else, another dolphin briefly surfaced before slipping beneath the crystal-clear water again.
Her eyes shone like a child's. "I've only seen them on television."
He didn't answer. Instead, he found himself watching her excitement more than the dolphins themselves.
---
Back on the shore, the instructor smiled.
"Sir, ma'am... would you like another round?"
Before Aprajita could refuse, Rakshit looked at her. "Your turn."
She stared at him. "What?"
"You drive."
She immediately shook her head."No."
"Why?"
"Because I want to stay alive."
He couldn't help laughing. "I'll teach you."
She looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly being so nice?"
He smirked. "I thought we agreed we're friends."
She narrowed her eyes. "We did."
"And friends help each other."
She sighed dramatically. "I knew this friendship would cost me."
A few minutes later, she found herself sitting in front of him on the jet ski. Every nerve in her body screamed at her to climb back down.
Rakshit settled behind her before reaching around to grip the handlebars, his hands resting just above hers.
The sudden closeness made her freeze.
"Don't panic," he said quietly near her ear.
She swallowed. "I'm already panicking."
He chuckled. "You handle meetings, presentations and impossible deadlines."
His voice remained calm. "You'll handle this too."
She nodded nervously. "I don't think so."
"Start it."
Instead, she squeezed her eyes shut.
Rakshit laughed. "How exactly are you planning to drive with your eyes closed?"
She shook her head stubbornly.
"I'm not opening them."
"Fine." His tone turned thoughtful. "Then I'll let go of the handlebars."
Her eyes flew open immediately. "You wouldn't!"
"I might."
She glared at him over her shoulder. "You're horrible."
"I prefer motivational."
Despite herself, she laughed.
"Slowly." He pointed ahead. "Now... very gently." He said in a low voice.
She twisted the throttle. The jet ski moved. Only a little. Her heart almost stopped.
"I'm moving!"
"You're driving."
A smile slowly spread across her face.
Within minutes, the fear that had gripped her disappeared.
She laughed every time the jet ski bounced over a wave. She leaned into the turns exactly as he instructed.
And for the first time that day, she forgot she had ever been afraid.
Behind her, Rakshit watched the excitement on her face. Without even realising it, he smiled.
Not because of the ride. But because she looked genuinely happy.
By the time they returned to the villa, the sky had turned a deep shade of blue. The sound of the waves was louder now, filling the quiet night with a soothing rhythm.
Aprajita closed the door behind them before turning towards Rakshit. "Thank you."
He looked at her while placing the room key on the table. "For what?"
She smiled. "For today."
"For the jet ski... for teaching me... and..." She paused, searching for the right words. "...for not laughing at me too much."
A faint smile appeared on his face. "I still laughed."
She narrowed her eyes. "You did."
"But you drove."
That simple sentence made her smile again. After freshening up, they returned to the bedroom.
Almost simultaneously, both of them looked towards the bed. Then towards the seating area. There was only a single armchair.
Aprajita blinked. "Where's the sofa?"
Rakshit looked around the room before answering the matter-of-factly. "There isn't one."
She walked over to the chair and frowned. "One person can barely fit on this."
He examined it for a moment before nodding. "You're right."
Silence followed. Neither of them spoke.
Finally, Rakshit broke it. "We can't sleep on the floor either."
She looked at him. "It's wooden flooring," he explained. "It'll get cold during the night."
Another brief silence settled between them. Then he said what neither of them had wanted to say first. "We'll share the bed."
Aprajita looked at him.
He added calmly, "It's a king-size bed."
There wasn't even the slightest hesitation in his voice. "We'll stay on our own sides."
She studied his face for a moment before nodding. "Okay." As she pulled back the blanket, a mischievous smile slowly spread across her face. "You know..."
Rakshit looked up. "I never knew you were this cool when you became friends with someone."
He raised an eyebrow. "If I'd known earlier..." she continued with a grin, "...I would've asked you to be my friend a long time ago."
For a brief second, he simply stared at her. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
"We're only friends till we reach India."
She laughed. "Fine."
He switched off the main lights, leaving only the soft bedside lamp glowing.
Rakshit lay down on one side of the bed.
Aprajita settled on the other, carefully keeping the unspoken distance between them.
Neither of them said another word. Outside, the gentle sound of waves drifted through the open balcony doors.
Within minutes, Rakshit's breathing became slow and even. She turned her head slightly. He had already fallen asleep.
A tiny smile touched her lips. "Good night..." she whispered so softly that only the sea could have heard.
Next morning,
Rakshit woke before dawn out of habit.
For a moment, he forgot where he was. Then the soft murmur of waves beneath the villa brought him back.
The room was dimly lit by the first hint of morning. He turned instinctively towards the other side of the bed.
Empty. He frowned. The balcony door stood slightly open, letting the cool sea breeze drift inside.
Stepping outside, he found Aprajita sitting on the wooden deck with her knees drawn to her chest. She wore an oversized sweatshirt over her clothes from the previous night, her hair tied into a messy bun.
She didn't notice him. Her eyes remained fixed on the horizon. The sky was slowly changing colours. Deep navy... Then violet... Then streaks of soft orange.
Rakshit walked over quietly. "You've been awake this early on vacation?"
She looked up, surprised. "I didn't wake up early." A sheepish smile spread across her face. "I never slept."
His brows knitted together. "You didn't?"
She shook her head. "I was scared I'd miss the sunrise."
He looked at her for a second before turning towards the ocean. "You stayed awake all night... for this?"
She nodded without embarrassment.
"I've never seen the sun rise over the ocean."
A comfortable silence settled between them. Then, slowly the first golden ray appeared. The sunlight spilled across the water like liquid gold. The entire sea seemed to catch fire.
Aprajita's eyes widened. "It's beautiful..."
She whispered it so softly that he almost didn't hear.
Instead of looking at the sunrise, Rakshit found himself looking at her. The excitement on her face wasn't exaggerated.
It was genuine.
The kind that couldn't be acted.
She smiled without realizing it. "I'll remember this forever."
Something about those words lingered with him.
After breakfast, Rakshit and Aprajita walked back towards their villa, taking the wooden pathway that stretched above the crystal-clear water. The morning sun reflected off the ocean, making it sparkle beneath their feet.
They had almost reached their room when a resort staff member hurried towards them.
"Sir... Ma'am... "She stopped in front of them with a polite smile.
"You have an appointment for the couple's spa in fifteen minutes."
Rakshit frowned slightly. "The couple's spa?"
"Yes, sir." She nodded. "Your assistant specifically requested that we remind you in case you forgot."
Rakshit closed his eyes for a brief second before exhaling. "Dubey ji..."
Aprajita bit back a smile. She could almost picture Dubey enthusiastically planning every minute of their honeymoon itinerary.
The staff looked between them expectantly. "I'll escort you whenever you're ready."
Rakshit turned towards Aprajita. "If you want to go, you can."
She looked at him in surprise. "What about you?"
He shook his head without hesitation. "I have neither the interest nor the patience for a spa."
There was a brief pause before he added, his tone noticeably flatter, "Especially one meant for couples."
Without waiting for another response, he slipped his hands into his pockets and walked towards the villa.
Aprajita stood there for a moment, watching him leave.
She understood. It wasn't the spa that had bothered him.
It was the reminder that everyone around them believed they were a normal newly married couple.
The staff member looked at her hopefully. "Ma'am... shall I take you there?"
"Yes." Aprajita looked back at the attendant. "Let's go."
The woman smiled warmly. "This way, ma'am."
The spa overlooked the ocean, its open wooden pavilion filled with the soothing sound of waves and the faint fragrance of lavender.
Soft instrumental music floated through the air as another therapist welcomed her with a chilled herbal drink.
"Please make yourself comfortable."
Aprajita changed into the robe they provided and lay down on the massage bed. As warm aromatic oil eased the stiffness from her shoulders, she closed her eyes.
For the first time in months, she wasn't thinking about office files.
Or deadlines.
Or even the contract.
She simply listened to the waves.
An hour passed quietly.
Aprajita lay comfortably on the massage bed, her eyes closed as the therapist gently worked the tension out of her shoulders.
A few minutes later, another guest entered the adjoining section. The woman looked to be around sixty, dressed in the same white spa robe, her silver hair neatly tied into a bun. Despite the fine lines on her face, there was a warmth in her smile that instantly put people at ease.
As the therapist helped her settle onto the next massage bed, the woman turned slightly towards Aprajita.
"First time in the Maldives?" she asked with an easy smile.
Aprajita opened her eyes and smiled back. "Is it that obvious?"
The woman chuckled. "A little. I'm Kiran."
"Aprajita."
"What a lovely name."
"Thank you."
For a while, comfortable silence filled the room. Then Kiran glanced around before asking casually, "Where's your husband?"
Aprajita hesitated for barely a second.
"He... had an important meeting."
The lie came out more naturally than she expected. So I came alone."
Kiran let out a knowing sigh before smiling to herself. "Some things never change."
Aprajita looked at her curiously. Kiran shook her head with amused resignation.
"Whether they're thirty or seventy..." she said, "...most men somehow find work before they find time."
A small laugh escaped Aprajita.
Kiran laughed along with her. "My husband was exactly the same," she continued fondly. "He answered a business call in the middle of our first anniversary dinner."
Aprajita couldn't help laughing a little louder. "Really?"
"Oh, yes." Kiran rolled her eyes dramatically. "I was furious." "But looking back..." Her smile softened. "...those little things became memories too."
Aprajita's smile faded into something quieter. She didn't know why but talking to Kiran felt strangely comforting. Like speaking to someone who had already lived through every season of marriage and had come out with nothing but warmth to offer.
Kiran watched Aprajita for a long moment before smiling gently. "You know..." she said, "when I was your age, I used to think marriage was about finding someone who understood me."
Aprajita listened quietly. Kiran let out a soft laugh. "After years, I realised it isn't." She looked up at the ceiling for a moment before continuing. "It's about two imperfect people learning to understand each other... little by little."
Aprajita's fingers tightened around the edge of the towel. "What if..." she asked hesitantly, "...one person doesn't let the other come close?"
Kiran turned to look at her. "Then don't force the door open."
Aprajita frowned slightly. Kiran smiled.
"Stand outside for a while. If the person inside feels safe enough..." she continued softly, "...one day they'll open it themselves."
The words settled somewhere deep inside Aprajita. Kiran wasn't finished.
"My husband wasn't expressive either." She chuckled. "The first time he bought me flowers was after fifteen years of marriage."
Aprajita's eyes widened. "Fifteen?"
"Oh yes." Kiran laughed. "And do you know what he said?"
"What?"
"'The florist was on my way home.'"
Both of them laughed.
"I was annoyed for exactly five minutes," Kiran admitted. "Then I realised something." She looked at Aprajita with kind eyes. "Some people don't know how to love with words."
"They love remembering your medicines. By fixing the broken tap before you notice. By making sure you reach home safely. They don't say 'I love you. They simply make your life a little easier."
Aprajita's smile slowly faded into thought.
Almost unconsciously, she remembered Rakshit removing the honeymoon decorations without making her uncomfortable... ordering lunch without asking because he wasn't sure what she'd like... fastening her seat belt while she slept.
Kiran reached over and gently patted her hand. "Never judge a person's heart only by what they say." She smiled warmly.
"Sometimes... the quietest people spend their whole lives saying 'I care' in ways that don't make a sound."
Aprajita lowered her eyes. For some reason those words stayed with her long after the massage was over.
By the time the spa session ended, the sun had begun its slow descent, bathing the beach in warm shades of gold.
Aprajita stepped out of the spa walking beside Kiran, the cool sea breeze brushing against their robes.
"I haven't felt this relaxed in years," Kiran admitted with a content smile.
Aprajita laughed softly. "I was nervous when I came in... but I'm glad I did."
"I told you." Kiran smiled. "Sometimes all we need is a little time for ourselves."
Before Aprajita could reply, someone called out from a distance.
"Kiran!" Both of them turned. A man in his early sixties was walking towards them with an easy smile on his face. The moment Kiran saw him, her entire expression brightened.
"There he is," she said fondly.
The man stopped beside them and looked at Kiran with a mock annoyance.
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
"And congrats" Kiran teased, "...you found me."
He laughed before noticing Aprajita standing beside her. Kiran immediately turned towards her. "Aprajita, this is my husband, Manoj." Manoj folded his hands politely. "So you're the young lady my wife has been talking with"
Aprajita smiled and returned the greeting. "It's nice to meet you, Uncle."
"You too, beta." Manoj glanced at Kiran before shaking his head dramatically.
"I leave her alone for one hour, and she comes back with a new friend."
Kiran nudged his arm. "Don't be jealous."
"I'm not," he protested. "I'm simply stating facts."
All three of them laughed. A little farther down the beach, Rakshit sat on one of the wooden loungers overlooking the sea. His laptop rested beside him while he absent-mindedly skimmed through a few emails on his phone.
Movement near the spa entrance caught his attention.
He looked up. Aprajita stood smiling, talking animatedly with an elderly couple. From where he sat, he couldn't make out their faces, only the easy way she laughed with them.
He watched for a few moments. She really does become comfortable with people so quickly. Just then, Aprajita folded her hands politely before waving goodbye. "It was lovely meeting both of you."
Kiran stepped forward and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I hope we meet again someday."
"I hope so too."
Manoj smiled warmly. "And remember what she told you."
Kiran shot him an amused look. "You weren't even there."
"I've been married to you for thirty-eight years," he replied with a grin. "I know exactly what you would have said."
Aprajita laughed again. "Take care, Uncle... Aunty."
"You too, beta." The couple walked away hand in hand, their unhurried steps disappearing along the shoreline.
Only after they were out of sight did Aprajita turn around.
💛
The soft glow of the bedside lamps filled the villa as the sound of the waves drifted in through the open balcony doors.
Rakshit was already ready. Dressed in a crisp white linen shirt with the sleeves casually folded to his forearms and beige cargo trousers, he stood near the glass doors fastening his watch. Without the usual suit and tie, he looked far more relaxed than the man everyone feared in the office.
He glanced at the clock "Aprajita?"
"I'm coming," her voice floated from inside the bedroom. A few seconds later, the bedroom door opened.
Rakshit instinctively looked up. For a brief moment, he simply stood there.
Aprajita stepped out wearing a simple white sleeveless ankle-length dress that swayed gently around her as she walked. The flowing fabric moved softly with every step, making her look effortlessly graceful.
Her hair fell loose over her shoulders in soft waves, and she wore almost no makeup-just a hint of lip gloss and the tiny silver earrings she always seemed to forget to remove.
She looked different. Not like the woman who spent every day in neatly draped sarees or comfortable cotton salwars.
Not like the efficient employee who always hurried through office corridors carrying files.
His mind unexpectedly drifted to the conversation he had overheard the previous evening. "Pack a few dresses. He always sees you in sarees or salwars."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Seems like they were right. The dress suited her.
Oblivious to the thoughts running through his mind, Aprajita looked at him and stopped. For a second, she forgot what she was about to say.
The white shirt, the rolled-up sleeves, the relaxed smile that had become more frequent ever since they arrived, without the formal suits and perfectly knotted tie, Rakshit looked younger.
And undeniably handsome.
She quickly looked away before he could catch her staring. "Is... this okay?" she asked, smoothing the fabric of her dress nervously. "I wasn't sure if it was too casual."
Rakshit met her eyes again before giving a small nod. "It looks nice."
Just three simple words.
But somehow, They made her smile. "Thank you."
She looked at him again, this time with a teasing smile. "You don't look much like a CEO either."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
She nodded. "You actually look like someone who's on vacation."
A quiet chuckle escaped him. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You should." She picked up her small sling bag from the sofa. "I've never seen you without a suit."
"And?"
She smiled. "I think this suits you."
For the briefest moment, their eyes met again.
Then Rakshit reached for the villa door.
"Shall we?"
Aprajita nodded.
Together, they stepped out into the warm Maldivian evening, completely unaware that this simple dinner would become one of the memories neither of them would forget.
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