“Now can we play in the water?” Kiana asked, already bouncing toward the shoreline.
Akash sighed. “Fine. For a few minutes. But don’t go far. Stay right here at the edge where I can catch you if needed.”
Kiana grabbed Kush’s hand with big-sister authority, and together they waddled toward the water, shrieking as the first wave touched their toes.
Akash shifted to stand closer to the shoreline. Shauna moved to stand beside him. The silence between them was thick with tension as they watched the two kids splash and play.
“You are very good with them,” she finally said.
Akash turned to her.
“The kids aren’t listening,” he said, his voice hard. “You don’t have to pretend.”
“I’m not pretending.” Shauna frowned. “I’m trying to have a conversation.”
“Why?” he shot back, keeping his voice low. “No one’s around. You don’t have to try and talk to someone you don’t like, much less respect.”
The words stung more than she expected.
Her jaw tightened. “I never said I don’t?—”
But he was already moving away.
He stepped closer to the kids, cutting her off without looking back. “Alright, monkeys. Breakfast time.”
Two loud groans answered him.
“But Akash?—!”
He scooped water into his palms and flung it at them. The kids squealed as droplets splashed across their faces. He did it again, laughing this time, and within seconds, they were shrieking and splashing water back at him.
She watched from the side, feeling annoyed and flustered in equal measure. What had she expected? That she and Akash would suddenly slip into a normal, civil conversation like two reasonable adults? That he’d give her a chance to make amends for what she’d said to him last night?
Of course not. Akash never made things easy. Never met her halfway. Instead, he retreated into that cold, cutting version of himself that knew exactly how to provoke her. He had an infuriating way of pushing her every wrong button. And she, equally infuriatingly, always reacted.
After a few more playful minutes, Akash caught each of the kids firmly by the hands. “Come on. Let’s go.”
He led them toward where their slippers lay abandoned in the sand.
Kiana looked back at Shauna. “Are you coming with us?”
Shauna opened her mouth to answer, but Akash cut in smoothly. “No. I’m sure Aunty Shauna has somewhere else to be.”
Irritation flared inside her. “Aunty Shauna can speak for herself.” She smiled down at Kiana. “Of course, I’ll join you. Come on, hold my hand.”
She laced her fingers with the little girl’s and began walking ahead without looking back. She could feel Akash’s angry stare burning into her shoulder blades.
She exhaled. Why was she even bothering? She ought to have let him be. Why willingly spend more time with him? But then again, he had no right to speak for her.
Just as they reached the hotel lobby, Keya and Kabier appeared from the corridor leading to the breakfast area.
“There are my sweet babies.” Keya immediately scooped Kush into her arms while Kabier lifted Kiana up.
Kabier’s gaze shifted between Akash and Shauna, clearly surprised to see them together. Their whole family knew about the perpetual war between them, and as always, no one interfered. No one wanted to take sides, obviously.
Kabier finally looked at Akash. “Thanks for watching them. We’ll take them in for breakfast. Both of you are free now.”
Keya smiled brightly. “Yes, so what’s the plan? Kabier’s mom, Shauna’s parents, and Janak are going dolphin watching. Some of the others are going scuba diving. The rest of us are just parking ourselves by the pool with the kids and basically chilling. What are you two doing?” She gestured toward the open expanse of the resort. “There are amazing water activities here. You two should enjoy yourselves. Just don’t forget, tonight we have dinner in the banquet hall.”
