Of Dresses, Dares, and Dunes
Juhu Beach – 4:00 PM
Soft sun. Ocean breeze. Chaats, coconut water, and that perfect playlist in the background.
“You sure you’ve packed everything?” Aashna asked, stuffing one last packet of banana chips into the tote.
“I’ve packed food, mat, portable speaker, tissues, and my questionable life choices,” Rihi said, adjusting the sunglasses on her head.
Shubman peeked into the bag. “Where’s the sunscreen?”
“You’re a cricketer, Gilll ji. You’ve faced Australian sun. Mumbai doesn’t scare you.”
He smirked. “You do.”
She blinked. “Good.”
Abhishek called out from the car, “Hurry up, you lovebirds! Beach isn’t going to wait for your flirting montage.”
Aashna tossed a sand toy set at him. “Build a castle and sit in it quietly.”
---
At the Beach – Sunset-Soaked Chaos
Rihi stepped onto the sand slowly. She was wearing a dress.
A real one.
Not jeans. Not kurti . Not a big hoodie.
But a soft, flowing, peach-pink cotton dress that danced with the breeze.
Shubman stopped mid-sip of his coconut water. “Whoa.”
“Hmm?” she asked, trying to sound casual, even though her heart was low-key racing.
“You wore a dress,” he said, smiling.
“I did.”
“For the first time?”
“In public, yes.”
“You look…” he paused, then whispered, “Like a dream with sneakers on.”
She chuckled. “That was oddly poetic.”
“You bring it out in me.”
Meanwhile, Abhishek and Aashna had wandered off toward the shoreline, barefoot, waves kissing their feet.
“Admit it,” Aashna said, “This is better than your usual workout.”
“I still say I can do pushups here.”
“You’ll sink.”
He grinned. “Want to bet?”
She pointed at the sand. “Drop down, Sharma.”
He did.
One pushup.
Two.
Then his elbow slipped on wet sand, and he face-planted.
She burst out laughing, falling back in the sand. “Best. Bet. Ever.”
---
Back Near the Picnic Mat
Rihi nudged Shubman. “You know something?”
“What?”
“I bet you can’t catch me.”
Before he could process, she dropped her coconut water, turned, and ran.
“Rihi!”
“Catch me if you can, Gilllllllll!” she called out over her shoulder.
Shubman sprinted after her, the dress, her hair, the giggles — all flowing with the wind.
They weaved through people, avoided a flying kite string, skipped over someone’s sand art, and finally—
He caught her.
Tackled her softly into the sand, both laughing, out of breath, covered in tiny grains.
And from the other side?
Aashna had caught it all.
Video on. Angle perfect.
“You’re both going viral,” she shouted, waving the phone like a proud director.
Abhishek peeked over her shoulder. “Caption: ‘When your girlfriend makes you run like it’s the IPL final.’”
“Or,” Aashna added, “‘First dress. First tackle. Forever chaos.’”
---
Golden Hour – Everyone Sitting on the Mat
“Okay, okay,” Abhishek said, opening a pack of biscuits, “Confession circle. One truth. No skipping.”
“I’ll go,” Rihi said, brushing sand off her dress. “I never thought I’d wear this.”
Shubman squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you did.”
Aashna looked at Abhishek. “Your turn.”
He looked at the horizon. Then at her.
“I think… I could do this forever.”
She raised a brow. “Be more specific.”
“This. Us. Random beach picnics. Bad jokes. Your laugh.”
Her face softened. “Then don’t just think. Know it.”
He smiled.
---
Final Scene – After Sunset
Shubman looked at the video Aashna had taken.
It showed Rihi running, laughing, the hem of her dress flying, his feet chasing her down, both of them falling together.
A moment caught perfectly.
He looked over at her, sitting with her chin on her knees, eyes on the darkening sea.
He slid over beside her.
“Next time you wear a dress, give me a warning.”
“Why?”
“So I can be ready to fall harder.”
She rolled her eyes, blushing. “Cheesy.”
“You love it.”
“I do.”
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"Beyond The Boundary "
Fanfiction"To the girl who took my six like a queen-Stay strong, always! - S G." ??nocturnefable 2025 Short chapters but feelings
