Page 80 of The Secret Bride
Armaan
I watched Viya run along the beach like she had never seen the ocean before. Her white dress billowed around her legs with each step, and her hair streamed behind her like a dark banner in the wind. She was laughing, her face tilted up toward the sky, her arms spread wide as though she could embrace the entire world.
She looked free. Unburdened. Happy in a way I had never seen her before.
And I had done that. I had given her this moment of pure joy.
The thought filled me with a satisfaction deeper than any business deal I had ever closed.
I stood at the edge of the beach, my shoes sinking slightly into the sand, content to just watch her. She ran to the water's edge and let the waves wash over her bare feet. She squealed at the cold and jumped back, then laughed at herself.
She was so beautiful it actually hurt to look at her sometimes.
After a while, she slowed down, her run becoming a walk, her breathing heavier. She was getting tired. I could see it in the way her steps became less energetic, the way her shoulders drooped slightly.
I walked toward her, my dress shoes completely unsuitable for beach walking but I did not care. When I reached her, she turned and smiled at me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright.
"That was amazing," she said breathlessly. "Thank you for this. For all of this."
I reached out and tucked a strand of wind blown hair behind her ear.
"We are not done yet."
Her eyebrows rose in curiosity.
"What do you mean?"
I took her hand and led her down the beach, away from the restaurant. We walked for about five minutes until we reached a section of the beach that had been cordoned off with elegant rope barriers.
Beyond the barrier was a glamping setup. A large, luxurious tent with open sides that allowed the ocean breeze to flow through. Inside, I could see a massive bed piled high with pillows and soft blankets. Soft string lights were draped along the tent posts, casting a warm, romantic glow. Candles in glass holders were placed strategically around the space, their flames protected from the wind.
Viya stopped walking and stared.
"Armaan... what is this?"
"Somewhere we can relax and enjoy the night without rushing back to the hotel."
She looked up at me, her eyes wide.
"You planned all of this? The restaurant, the beach, now this?"
"I wanted tonight to be perfect for you. For us."
Her expression softened into something so tender it made my chest ache. She stood on her toes and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek.
"It already is perfect. Thank you."
I led her to the glamping tent. The bed looked impossibly inviting, covered in white linens and surrounded by the gentle sound of waves and the soft glow of candlelight.
Viya climbed onto the bed with a contented sigh, stretching out like a cat. I followed, lying down beside her and pulling her close. She immediately snuggled into me, her head finding its favorite spot on my shoulder, her hand resting over my heart.
This. This was what peace felt like.
We lay there in comfortable silence for a while, just listening to the rhythmic sound of the ocean. The waves rolled in and out, in and out, eternal and soothing. The breeze carried the salt scent of the sea mixed with the faint fragrance of the tropical flowers that grew nearby.
Above us, stars were beginning to appear in the darkening sky. Here, away from the city lights, they shone brighter than I had ever seen them.
"I could stay here forever," Viya murmured against my chest.
