Page 35 of The Escape

That was enough. Raghav gave his shoulder a brief squeeze and stepped away, leaving Ayaan to make the call in private.

Ayaan looked at the screen for a moment before finally dialling Ratan’s number.

5. One Family, One Pact

Next Day

By late afternoon, the resort pool had become their next playground. All four couples had gathered around the pool, with the volleyball net stretched across the water. Towels were scattered across the loungers, drinks had been left within easy reach and, judging by the expressions on everyone’s faces, nobody was planning to leave anytime soon.

Ayaan picked up the volleyball and tossed it once in his hand.

“Alright. Let’s split into two teams.”

“Obviously, I’m with Ayaan,” Krish announced immediately.

Ayaan looked at him. “Who said you had a choice?”

Krish grinned.

Ayaan tossed him the ball. “You’ve been stuck with me forever, buddy.”

Ayaan then looked around. “Siya?”

“I’m with you.” She stepped towards his side without hesitation.

Ayaan held up his hand, and Siya high-fived him.

“Perfect.”

Raghav wasn’t surprised. Over the last few years, Ayaan had become the elder brother Siya had always yearned for, the one relationship Samarjeet Vardhaan could never give her. And Ayaan, who never had a sister, protected Siya like his own.

“Fine. Team one: me, Krish, Siya, and Simran,” Ayaan declared.

Across the pool, Raghav folded his arms. “So that leaves me, Vishnu, Meher, and Trisha.”

“Works for me,” Vishnu said, giving Raghav a fist bump.

Meher happily nodded, already looking towards Ayaan with a competitive smile. “Wow. I’m going to compete against my husband, with my brother and brother-in-law together. Of course, we’re winning.”

That’s when Krish looked between Trisha and Raghav and groaned. “No way.”

Everyone turned towards him.

“What?” Ayaan asked.

“You put Raghav and Trisha on the same team?”

“So?” Ayaan shrugged. “What’s the problem?”

“The problem is that we already know what happens when Raghav and Trisha get together. Besides, Trisha is a volleyball champion.”

Raghav’s mouth twitched while Trisha simply smiled.

Siya immediately looked at Trisha. “You never told us that.”

“You never asked.”

“Whatever,” Ayaan said, looking at Krish. “We’ll be fine.”