Nishant fretted as he looked into his smart phone and read his friend's texts on a chat group. They were poking fun at him. He was in an unusually complex situation. Nishant was single. He wasn't a virgin though. He had dated before, but none of the relationships had been sexually satisfactory in his scheme of things.
'Nish' as his friends called him, had won an 'all expense paid' trip to the beautiful Island of Krabi in Thailand and yet was in a terrible fix. He had called in on a radio channel and won three gruelling rounds of a very competitive quiz. Trip expenses included flights, 3 nights and 4 days stay at an exotic beach resort, lavish gourmet meals, sun bathing at the famous James bond island and treatment at one of the most reputed and exclusive spas owned by the resort. He was most kicked and excited actually, about the scuba diving expedition which was also inclusive as part of the trip.
The catch, unfortunately was that the trip had to be made with ones girlfriend or wife coz it was the freaking valentines day quiz and the folks from the channel would interview them live from Krabi. He had even written a very mushy paragraph of what his love meant to him. That had got him through the qualifying round. Now he'd won the damn quiz and didn't have someone to go with. His friends on his school chat group were having a blast and laughing themselves silly at his plight. What could be worse!! If only he could ask a good looking chick at a bar if she'd like to go on a Thai trip with him! The trip was 3 weeks away and passport formalities just 2 days away.
Nish settled in his office the next day and prepared to call the radio guys to cancel. He was surprised to see a personal message flashing on his chat app. It was from his school friend Tanya. He remembered Tanya to be an average, shy, 'have been' from somewhere in his class. She used to be rather plump and wore braces in her teeth. In school she used to keep mostly to her group of 2 girlfriends who were also quite inconspicuous as her. They could have faded in any class and no one would've noticed.
Nish was bewildered as Tanya had suddenly texted him out of the blue and was asking if he was still looking for someone to go on the trip with. He hadn't seen her since 10
th
grade and hadn't heard from her either. He was even more surprised when she wanted in on the trip. 'What the hell!' thought Nish. It was either a trip with Tanya or he'd have to miss out on scuba diving which was top on his bucket list of adventures. Not to mention waste of a lavish vacation in Thailand..
All he could text back was, "Sure, it's a pleasant surprise. The last I knew you wore braces and a school uniform! Are u sure you're the same Tanya? Do send me a copy of your passport so I can get it processed". He was surprised that he sounded so cold and business like. He thought, it was probably because he had no feelings for her. She was just a means to a classic vacation. Three weeks flew by in a jiffy.
Nish stood at the airport waiting for Tanya. He had still not seen her. Only a few business like texts has been exchanged on chat. He wondered if she looked the same after so many years. He was 30 and had settled well into his family printing business. He had even made forays into new avenues and was doing rather well. He wondered what Tanya did? He hadn't even bothered to ask and neither had she. They were just going to go on a 5 day trip together. That too as a couple!
There was a tap on his shoulder and he turned around to see who it was. He almost stiffled a gasp! Tanya stood smiling and beaming at him. She was saying things like "oh you look different.. it's been ages.. how have u been.." Nish was speechless at seeing Tanya who looked stunning in a sleeveless polo neck sweater and jeans that clung to her. She had tied her hair high and wore glasses. Two large bronze circles of earrings dangled from her ears which looked stunning to match with her black on black ensemble! Saying that she looked quite in shape would be an understatement. She looked svelte! Slim and fit! Nish only extended pleasantries. He helped keep her bag on the trolley and they proceeded to the terminal. He might have been spell bound.
Nish had just stared at Tanya's toned hips as she walked slightly ahead and made small talk. Nish was at a loss of words through the 6 hour flight but Tanya kept the conversation going. This despite 2 glasses of wine. He wondered if this beauty was the girl he knew in school. He also wondered why she was with him on this trip. He hadn't gathered the courage to ask. Probably he didn't want to mess up the trip, whatever be the reason. Nish was unusually silent through the flight. Her perfume was captivating..
They landed quite early at Phuket airport and slept through the cab ride to exotic Krabi! They could smell the ocean air as soon as they set foot in Krabi. They marvelled at the luxury in their honeymoon suite! It was part of the trip. There was a bit of palpable awkwardness which both couldn't define. After a quick lunch they crashed like logs for few hours. Nish slept on the couch in the drawing room next to the massive window. It had a majestic view of the Andaman seas. Tanya had chided him that he should be making love to her since they were on a couple vacation. Could she be having similar feelings for him? She didn't even draw the curtains, let aside closing the doors between their rooms. Nish was more confused than ever. And perhaps very aroused.
At 6 they were scheduled to see a live performance at the beach side restaurant and enjoy Thai cuisine. Nish freshened and put on a casual beach dress, a lose t-shirt and khaki shorts. The t-shirt fell on his chest to show off his fit pecs and the shorts revealed muscular calves. Nish cycled and worked out regularly. Tanya had requested him to go ahead and that she'd join him at the restaurant. Nish got up as if automatically when she walked in.
Tanya had worn a jade oriental gown that fit her like skin. It had a collar with work on it, short sleeves that showed off her beautiful wheatish arms and a classy touch of dark blue floral designs. She looked like she was gliding. Her emerald earrings shone with the yellow lights of the restaurant. She was beaming as usual. The gown carefully outlined her shapely breasts. They weren't huge, but they were so perfect for her body that they took her beauty to another level. Nish pulled a chair for her. They had a most scrumptious dinner and enjoyed the folk performance. They walked leisurely back to the suite and Nish held the door open for her. The wine, jet lag, food and new experiences had tired them. They waited at the bedroom entrance like a guy would wait at the girls place before seeing her off and the awkwardness came back. They could have kissed, but it seemed so odd as they were sharing the suite. He wasn't about to go anywhere. They came close, but she kissed him on the cheek and said, "get some rest, we need to go dive into the sea tomorrow".. Nish obeyed but couldn't sleep much..