Chapter 12

Diya seemed to be the only one interested in taking a shower, as Alan and Akshar were so eager to go and get some breakfast. Diya had to give in as there was even more pressure from Patricia and Gloria who claimed to be starving. The breakfast buffet had a large selection of varieties and Diya stuck to her usual as she was never a big fan of trying out new things and this was no exception. Akshar nudged her from the back suggested that she try the hash brows that were made with sweet potatoes. Diya said, "Later" and Akshar knew that she was not going to try it. He had no luck with Alan in trying anything new so in the end got frustrated and said, "Like mother like son". Diya ignored his comment and they all were done with their breakfast by ten thirty. Akshar's brother-in-law whispered something in his ear and he smiled back with acknowledgement. Diya knew that a lot of discussions happen between men and this was just another one of them and she didn't bother to pay any attention as she was pretty much used to her brother doing that growing up. But Prayag had always been an exception, which made her wonder how he was doing. She was still in touch with him and she remembered that she had asked him about some candidates for a position of an assistant that she was planning to recruit. Alan distracted her thoughts about work and she was more than glad not to think about it. He started playing on the sand with Patricia and Gloria went with her mother for some even they had enrolled the previous day. Akshar and his brother-in-law were nowhere to be seen and Diya recalled that they were talking to someone in the dining room.

In a few minutes he joined her and had volleyball in his hand. Instantly Alan jumped and splashed the sand all over Diya who was sitting next to him, especially into her eyes and grabbed the ball from his dad's hands. Akshar asked, "Buddy, do you want to play?" Alan was too little to play an actual game but loved playing ball, any ball for that matter. In a few minutes they both started playing as Diya went looking for some water to clean herself up accompanied by Patrcia who now had sand in her pockets and in her hair. It took Diya quiet sometime as it was lot to get rid off and Patrica was distracted and wanted to go into the small water fountain for kids that were next to the pool. As Akshar was with Alan, Diya didn't mind spending time with her and indeed preferred that as it made the cleaning part much easier. In the mean time Alan and Akshar were having a great time on the beach even though alan had a tough time catching the ball that his dad was throwing at him. Often it rolled over farther down towards sea and sometimes towards the beach chairs. Some would help him out by handing him over the ball and some would engage him in a conversation, which Alan was quiet prompt in answering. By the time Diya cam back, two more young women in their bikinis had joined Alan and Akshar in the game, mainly helping Alan. Often Alan got an hi-fi or an hug from one of them. Diya could hear the blond calling Alan adorable. She kept an eye on Patricia until her dad came back to watch over her. Then Diya immersed herself into her book with a bottle of water next to her.