Concealed Shimmer (A TWINJ FF): Chapter-2

Cherai Beach:

TWINKLE:

Cottony-white clouds moved in the sky with the leisurely flowing chilly wind and the cerulean blue waves sparkled as the shining rays of sunlight touched deep blue blanket of Arabian Sea. A velvety red-headed, Painted-stork bird embowed its long, slender neck while gracefully flipping its broad white wings against the elegantly dancing ocean waves.

Listening to the melodious opera of the ocean, I sat on the beach playing with the silvery-pink seashells. Avni and Aly were making a sandcastle, which supposedly seemed the most childish idea to me. Knowing my inner turmoil about Singh sir; they didn’t force me to dig my hands in the light brown shiny sand.

The place was full of hustle-bustle. Typical beachside shacks, barbeque corners, sea-food stalls, tattoo studios, hot chicks running in swim-suits, couples walking hand-in-hand, tourists playing water sports, friends clicking selfies, and of course my two crazy monkeys screaming enthusiastically after every half an hour.

I was observing the finest details of Cherai beach which was more precisely known as ‘Queen of Arabian Sea’ when my eyes fell on a man who sat by a sea-food stall holding a fork in his hand. The guy was wearing a floral shirt and white shorts. Looking at his hypertrophied biceps and six-pack abs which peeked through the first two open buttons of his shirt he seemed like a fitness freak, a hot one though.

His eyes were closed, the face looked serene. Those anemone-pink thin lips curved in contentment as he savored the delicacy. I went all aw on the overly cute foodie expressions as he licked his fingers moaning in ecstasy.

I didn’t realize how much time I kept staring at him but it certainly made me embarrassed when his eyes landed on me and he smirked. Turning my head swiftly, I played with the sand trying to hide my little blatant act. My heart thumped faster as I saw him walking in my direction while I tried to maintain a calm demeanor.

“Twinkle, let’s race till the largest houseboat. Get your Jet Ski fast. I and Aly will be riding together.”, I heard Avni’s exuberant squeal as she ran with Aly towards the dealer for renting a Jet Ski.

I sprinted through the sand to reach the dealer. It took me a little longer as I was sitting at a distant place. A scowl made its way on my face as I heard the dealer, “Sorry, We are all booked.”

My eyes wandered to find my two crazy friends who seemed quite busy in checking the engine and breaks of the rented vehicle. At the same time, I found one empty Jet Ski and asked the dealer about it.

“Sorry. It is also booked. See, there. That man rented it for the next hour. If you want to ride, you can ask him to share.”, he pointed at someone who was probably standing behind me.

My eyes went wide, lips curved in a perfect ‘O’ shape, and I gulped cursing my fate silently as I saw the same tall foodie with impeccable features smirking at me. Moving a little closer he said, “I don’t mind sharing that thing with the gorgeous lady.”

I rolled my eyes folding my hands on my stomach while he chuckled.

Avni once again screamed asking me to join them quickly and I sighed out of exasperation.

“So, shall we?”, he asked.

“No, thank you. I don’t go on rides with strangers.”, I replied in a curt tone and he chortled more making me furrow my eyebrows.

“Yeah, right. You just ogle at them shamelessly.”, he teased with a toothy grin and I felt like punching him breaking those exquisitely white teeth.

“I didn’t ask for your help.”, I said in a rude tone.

“I offered it. It’s your choice though. Otherwise, your friends will either leave you here or stay with you giving up on this amazing water sport.”, he shrugged and moved forward.

Sharing it with a stranger didn’t sound a really bad idea unless I get to win.

“Cool. You grab the backseat. I have to win a race.”, I said rushing towards the Jet Ski.

“Excuse me! I just offered you help. I never agreed about sitting on the backseat.”, he remarked in an astounded tone.

“Listen Mr.-“

“Kunj Sarna.”, he said with a confident smile.

“Mr. Kunj, don’t you create a fuss out of this or else I’ll break your bones.”, I threatened him grabbing his collar.

“Is that your way to say thank you? Well, who knows, sitting on backseat might be more adventurous as I can to hold you whenever I want.”, he grinned like a cunning fox and sat at his place like an obedient child.

I huffed in vexation while hitting the engine to life. Starting the ride, I slowly increased the speed. The wind hit us harder as I drove faster; Kunj slid my hair on my left shoulder as they danced covering his face. Soon, we moved past Avni and Aly reaching the largest houseboat. I smiled at my victory while both of them looked busy enjoying the ride without caring about the race.

I opened and closed my mouth like a fish trying to say something cruel about their ignorance but words never came out while I heard Kunj laughing loudly.

I shot him an angry glare and he pouted putting a finger on his lips. Looking at that cute face my lips too curved into a smile. His eyes sparkled as he looked at my smiling face.

We stopped by the houseboat for some time glazing at the splendiferous view of cerulean blue water surrounding us from all four sides. He pointed at far direction where I saw a pair of greyish-blue dolphins jumping in joy and my face lit up in glee while I clapped my hands like a child. Suddenly a cold splash of water hit over my face making me startled, as a huge water boat moved past us.

Closing my eyes I growled in frustration.

“You look even more beautiful with these shiny pearls of water adorning your angelic face.”, he said while tucking a hair strand behind my ear and I opened my eyes only to meet with the sight of an utterly mesmerized Kunj.

He seemed to be under some kind of spell. That was when I noticed the golden-brown color of his orbs and my mind reverted back to my encounter with that stranger in the academy.

“Golden-brown eyes.”, those words escaped my mouth without any voluntary control.

“I think it’s time. We should get back to the beach. Allow me to drive this time.”, he said while I just nodded.

We returned the vehicle and he smiled, “It was nice riding with you. But I didn’t get your name, Miss?”

“Mrs. Twinkle Taneja.”, I shook hands with him giving a genuine smile while his face changed colors and he looked at me with somewhat befuddled expressions.

Sea lagoon beach resort, Kochi 8: 00 PM

TWINKLE’S ROOM :

“Avni, Listen-“, I once again tried to argue with Avni but she being Avni argued back with me.

“No Twinkle, You listen to me. You can’t go on doubting people just because they are tall.”, she said.

“Avni, I told you right, about the tall stranger I collided with, in the Academy.”, I tried to explain hastily.

“I get that, Twinkle. But why would he be here in Kerala? And what’s the proof that he is involved in Mr. Singh’s kidnapping?” Avni looked at me intently folding her arms.

” I…”, I stuttered as I could not find the right words to say.

Avni smirked, “See. You yourself aren’t sure about this and still today all the time in that shopping area you were looking suspiciously at tall individuals. You even cornered two of them thinking that they were following us?! And now, you are raising doubts about the one you went on a ride with. This is crazy.”

“Cornering those was a mistake. Aly, why don’t you say something to Avni?”, I looked at Aly with hope.

“Aly, I had to apologize to those people. Are you even listening?”, roared Avni.

I and Avni, we both looked at Aly who seemed to be very much involved in his mobile. I wondered what was so important in it?!

“I know that there isn’t any proof that he is behind all this but then why was his face covered that day? Tell me, doesn’t it make him a suspect.”, I retorted back.

The room was filled with silence after my question but after a minute or two, Aly popped out his head and said, “That’s not possible, Twinkle. Because it was a group attack.”

We both looked at him being perplexed.

“Yes. See, in this news article they are saying that a group of five goons attacked Mr. Singh.”, Aly passed his mobile to me.

He was right. The article said that sir was attacked by five goons outside the academy.

Did I make a grave mistake?

Maybe that person was just a visitor.

“Twinkle, you know right, how much I care for you. I don’t want you to land up in any problem. Of course, we will soon be police officers but the kind of case you are getting yourself involved in is not a simple one. Perhaps, neither we have the support of the department nor our service revolvers if we ever need them during all this. Please try to understand.”, Avni’s voice was filled with consternation.

“Okay. Fine. I won’t behave the way I did today.”, I muttered in a soft tone.

Avni let out a debilitated sigh.

“Don’t intimidate tall guys with those stares. And please keep this in mind from now on that it was a group attack.”, Avni reminded.

“Yeah, the poor guy would have been dead by Twinkle Taneja’s punches.”, Aly said with a toothy grin.

I scowled as they both laughed at my expense.

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Back with another chapter!

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Is it very fast ?

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