Page 36 of The Escape

Krish shook his head. “I’m warning you. She’s bloody good.”

Raghav looked at Trisha, and the two exchanged a nod, as if the winning team had already been decided.

“Krish, stop scaring us.” Simran immediately moved towards Ayaan and Krish. “Don’t worry, guys. We can easily beat them.”

Ayaan immediately slapped his palm against hers. “That’s my girl.”

“I hope so.” Krish looked between them and sighed dramatically. “Later, don’t say that I didn’t warn you.”

They bumped fists.

On the opposite side, Vishnu looked at Meher. “Ready? For the first time, its Queen standing against her King.”

Meher immediately chuckled and turned to Raghav. “And Prince against his Princess.”

Raghav glanced at Siya, who was adjusting the straps of her swimsuit as she prepared for the game. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, and when she noticed him looking, a faint warmth touched her cheeks.

“What?” Siya asked from the other side.

“Just checking if you aren’t exhausted already.”

The warmth in her cheeks deepened into a blush. “I’m fine. You think about yourself right now. The last I checked, you were yawning due to lack of sleep.”

Vishnu patted Raghav’s back, answering on his behalf. “Champions win even when they are bone-tired.”

“Absolutely.” Raghav tossed the ball towards Ayaan. “You serve.”

Ayaan caught it neatly. “Let’s begin.”

The game began. Ayaan served first, sending the ball cleanly over the net. Raghav moved quickly and returned it, but Krish was already waiting.

He jumped and sent it back with enough force to make Meher scramble. She managed to get underneath it at the last second.

“Got it!”

The ball went up. Simran managed to return it, but Vishnu was already there.

The rally continued for several seconds, the ball flying from one side to the other as everyone shouted over one another.

“Left!”

“I’m here!”

“Krish!”

“I’m trying!”

“That’s not trying!”

“Then you do it!”

The ball finally landed in the water.

Ayaan raised both hands. “Point for us.”

Raghav shook his head. “That was out.”

“It landed on your side.”