The Australian Summer

The Australian Summer - Chapter 8

Welcome back dear reader! The last time we saw our characters, things got heated very quickly and then got incredibly cold very fast. Isha had lost herself in Cooper, and then reality came knocking in the form of her tired, out-of-shape fiancé. Seeing Ankit's state, Isha's guilt overrode anything else she may have been feeling for Cooper. She told him as much. So for now, Isha's back to being the faithful girlfriend and wife-to-be. Let's see what happens next.

Note - This chapter is long, so I've broken it into four parts, for your reading convenience.

~BhagiRath

PART I - DECEMBER BLUES

TWO MONTHS TO THE WEDDING

Sydney, Australia

December was about to end. It had been a couple of weeks since Isha's 'talk' with Cooper. The night she'd said to him -I can't do this anymore. Ankit needs me.

Since then she had tried...really tried, to be the loyal fiancé she was supposed to be. To not get so easily pulled into Cooper's orbit. But it was difficult. One of the most difficult things Isha had ever done, she thought.

The gym was the hardest part. Ankit still wouldn't come to the gym - she'd asked, multiple times, but he preferred to sleep in or game. So she continued with Cooper. Alone. Every morning.

She started wearing those oversized t-shirts over her sports bra again. Something she hadn't done in a long while.

She kept her conversations with Cooper minimal - "pass the kettlebell," "good form," nothing more. The flirty banter from before was gone. But there were still glances. She just didn't let herself dwell on them.

Cooper kept his distance too. If she struggled with the last rep of her hip thrusts, his hands automatically didn't find her hips to steady her. He'd just say "You've got it. Just breathe." The absence of his touch was something she keenly felt in those moments. But she knew it was important to hold steady.

When he stood close to her, perhaps spotting her or adjusting her form, she would smell him...his distinct, unique scent. And the feelings and memories from two weeks ago would rush into her brain. But then she forced herself to think of Ankit, the man she was supposed to marry in two months.

The sauna...she had entirely cut out of her life. Too dangerous. Cooper had stopped asking.

Cooking together had ended too. She'd told him politely she had it handled. He stopped offering.

Meals were loaded with awkward silences and secretive glances.

Ankit, happily oblivious, was deep in preparation for the Perth finals - extensive hours of practice through evenings and weekends. When Isha asked him to take her somewhere, she got long-winded explanations.

"Isha yaar, please understand," Ankit would say. "My teammates are really counting on me. I am their de-facto leader, you see. So I need to play my game, but also call out strategy. Just give me time until the Perth finals."

Isha would nod and then let it go. She'd spend her evenings on the bed, scrolling her phone, waiting for Ankit. In the past, she would've walked out and hung out with Cooper. She couldn't do that anymore.

These disappointing, lonely nights were where Isha found her will power truly tested.

---

It was the afternoon of December 30th. Isha was in the kitchen, making parathas.

She was feeling overwhelmed a bit, because she was making two different types of parathas. Aloo (potato) stuffed parathas for Ankit...his favorite. And a healthier, whole-wheat, mixed vegetable paratha for herself and Cooper. She knew Ankit wouldn't touch those with a ten-foot pole.

It was double the effort - making two different types of parathas, but she did it anyway.

She knew she was overcompensating...making it up to Ankit for what she'd let happen with Cooper.

"Something smells good," Ankit walked in, scratching his hair and yawning. "Parathas?"

"Yes," Isha said, wiping her hands on her apron smeared with flour. "Can you call Cooper for lunch too, he must be in his room."

Ankit walked over Cooper's room to let him know lunch was ready. When Cooper came out he and Isha looked at each other for a quick second. He gave her a slight nod and she smiled at him. Polite. Controlled.

Lunch was silent, like it had been the last couple of weeks. Isha sat next to Ankit, and Cooper was on the other side of the island.

After a few minutes of eating, Ankit finally broke the silence.

"Cooper, you must try some of these aloo parathas, man," he said, chewing. "I guarantee it'll taste much better than all that vegetable stuff you both are eating."

Cooper looked at them, then looked at Isha.

"I'm good, mate," Cooper said and then broke another piece of his vegetable paratha. "These are great. My compliments to the chef."

Isha gave him another smile. This time, lasting a bit longer.

"Your loss." Ankit shrugged. He looked at Isha. "Why did you take all this extra effort anyway? You know I could've just ordered some take-out, like before."

"Home-cooked food is better," Isha said. "And I know you like aloo parathas, so I..."

"Cooper, you should try out our famousParathe waali galli," Ankit said, interrupting Isha. "It's a street lined with just paratha sellers. When you visit India for our wedding, you must go there!"

Isha's eyes snapped up to look at Ankit first and then Cooper. She didn't know that Cooper had been invited to their wedding.

Cooper could see her shock on her face.

"Um...yeah," Cooper said, looking at Isha. "Ankit invited me yesterday. And I don't even know I'll be able to come. But only if you're comfortable, Isha."

Isha opened her mouth to say something. But Ankit jumped in before her.

"What nonsense, of course she'd love to have you there! We both would. You must come, Cooper. Tell him, Isha."

Isha looked at Ankit and then Cooper.

"Y...yes, Coop," she stammered. "Please do come."

Cooper at the wedding. Watching me become Ankit's wife.

He and I will be the only two people in that room who know what his hands did to my body...

Cooper just nodded with a half-smile.

The room became silent again, before Cooper spoke.

"How's the gaming going, mate?" Cooper asked, taking another bite. "Finals coming up. Perth, yeah?"

"I'm excited about Perth," Ankit said. "Especially because this time, I'll have Isha with me."

He extended his hand to hers, and she took it.

"I'm excited too," Isha said, looking at Ankit, squeezing his hand. "You'll do well Ankit. And I'll be right there with you, to cheer for you from the audience."

Cooper didn't say anything. But Isha could see his jaw tighten.

Ankit went on.

"Our team is doing well in the practice rounds," he said. "But in the finals, all teams are really good. So really, it comes down to strategy and team work. I told my team that this time they need to listen to me, and stop bickering with each other. The real secret to winning..."

A loud buzz on Isha's phone interrupted Ankit.

Isha looked at her phone, read something and then put it down. She turned to Cooper.

"It's Sasha," Isha said, "Reminding us about the New Year's eve party at her house tomorrow."

Just then Cooper's phone buzzed too. He looked at it, and nodded to Isha. "Yup, same."

"Party?" Ankit asked.

"Yes," Isha said looking at Ankit. "I completely forgot telling you this, Ankit. Sasha and Tobias host a New Year's eve party and she'd invited us both to it. Cooper too." She glanced at Cooper once more.

"Oh yeah," Ankit said. "That sounds great, but you know tomorrow, my team and I..."

"Ankit, I don't want to hear anything about games and teams," Isha's voice was firm. "You're coming, no arguments. It's a pool party, by the way."

"But Isha..."

For a second Isha considered letting Ankit have his way. Like she always did. But she knew what would happen - a party with Cooper, no Ankit, no buffer. She'd be sucked into his gravity almost immediately. She was barely holding on as it was.

No, I need Ankit there. And not just for appearances.

"No Ankit, please," Isha said, her voice stronger this time. "She's a very close friend...and she's invited us. You're coming."

Ankit opened his mouth, closed it, and went back to his paratha.

PART II - JUST A GAME

DECEMBER 31st - NEW YEAR'S EVE

Cooper's car turned off the main road and onto a quieter street. They were in Freshwater, in a suburban area lined with tall trees, larger blocks.

"Reckon you'll like Sasha and Tobias's place," Cooper said, glancing at Isha through the rear view mirror. "Good vibe to it."

"I'm sure it does," Isha said looking back at Cooper through the mirror. "This looks like a nice neighborhood. Nice place to raise a family, right, Ankit?"

Ankit, who was in the passenger seat next to Cooper, looked up from his phone and said 'Nice area' and went back to his phone.

Cooper turned into a driveway. Sasha and Tobias's house was a two-storey brick home with a veranda upstairs. It was lit up elegantly for the party.

As soon as they got out of the car, they could hear music playing somewhere out back. The air was warm and smelled like barbecue. The trio made their way to the front door and Sasha opened it before they could even knock.

Sasha appeared in a flowing white kaftan, bikini inside, her blonde hair loose, a beer in her hand. She was glowing, looking relaxed, and completely at home.

"Finally!" she said pulling Isha into a hug. "Happy almost-New Year, love."

"Happy almost-New Year," Isha laughed, hugging her back.

Sasha pulled back and looked her up and down. "You look gorgeous. That color on you? Absolutely stunning."

"Thanks," Isha said, tucking a curl behind her ear. She'd worn a blue short sundress.

Sasha hugged Cooper next and kissed him on the cheek. "Coops, you kept your word! Actually brought her with you!"

Cooper chuckled. "More like she brought us."

Sasha turned to Ankit. "And you must be the famous fiancé. Heard heaps about you."

"All good, I hope," Ankit said shaking her hand.

Sasha's eyes flicked over to Isha for a second. Her smile didn't waver. "Of course."

Sasha stepped aside, gesturing them in. "Come through. Everyone's by the pool."

They followed her through the house. They passed elegant furnishings, overstuffed couches, the kitchen island covered in bottles and glasses. The house smelled like cedar and alcohol.

And then they stepped out onto the deck.

The pool glowed a deep blue, lit from within, the water was shimmering like in a resort brochure. Isha gasped as she took in the scene.

Tiki torches lined the space, flickering flames. People everywhere. Women in impossibly small bikinis, and shirtless men with chiseled abs. Isha felt like she was in Tamarama again.

Some of the couples were already in the pool, standing waist-deep near the edge, talking, laughing. Inflatable pool balls were scattered across the large pool.

They saw Tobias on the other side, operating a large barbecue. He was shirtless, naturally, an apron tied around his waist that readKiss the Cookin faded letters. He had a beer in one hand and tongs in the other. He was laughing with a man standing next to him.

"Tobias!" Sasha called out.

He saw them and his face broke out in a wide grin. He walked over and immediately pulled Cooper into a bear hug.

"Missed ya, you piece of shit." Tobias said, slapping Cooper on his back.

"Missed you too, you oversized wanker," Cooper said, clapping him on the back.

Tobias released Cooper and turned to Isha. "And there she is! Isha, love!"

He pulled her into a hug that lifted her off her feet. "Look at you! Been hitting the gym hard, yea? Reckon Coops here's been putting you through your paces."

Isha laughed, feeling her face warm. "A bit, yeah."

"A bit?" He turned to Cooper. "You're holding out on me, mate. She looks absolutely mint."

Cooper just smiled. Isha lowered her eyes. She didn't dare look at Ankit.

Tobias turned to Ankit next. His eyes moved down and then up - taking in Ankit's collared t-shirt, the bulky cargo shorts, the sneakers and a slightly uncomfortable expression.

"And you must be Ankit," Tobias said, extending his hand. "Glad you could make it, mate."

Ankit shook it, looking up at Tobias's intimidating frame. "Thanks for having us."

"No worries at all. Listen..." Tobias gestured toward the pool. "Most people are already in their togs. There's a bathroom inside, first door on the left. Sasha's got extra towels and whatnot."

Isha nodded, and started walking towards the bathroom. Ankit, not knowing what to do, just followed her.

Cooper just took his shirt off, kicked off his outer shorts to reveal swim trunks inside. He picked up a beer from the cooler and followed Tobias to the barbecue, chatting.

---

"I don't understand half of that giant is saying," Ankit said to Isha. "What the hell are togs?"

Isha laughed. "He just means swimwear, silly. You've been in Australia longer than I have, how do I know this and you don't?"

They were inside a spacious bathroom, Isha had come in to change into her swimwear, and Ankit just followed her.

Ankit stared at her as she started taking off her sundress. Inside she was wearing a white bikini - two small triangles that barely seemed to cover her breasts. It wasn't too bright inside, but Ankit could swear he could make out the shape of her areolae and nipples through the material.

His heart nearly stopped when she revealed the bottom. Only a string went through her butt cheeks, leaving pretty much everything else exposed.

"What...are you wearing?"

"My bikini," she said, re-tightening the strings of her top. "The one I got when we went to Bondi, remember."

"Oh, that." He'd never seen her in it. He'd never seen her like this at all.

"Why aren't you changing?" she asked him, looking at herself in the mirror.

"Change into what?" Ankit asked.

"Your swim trunks," Isha asked turning back to face him. "You did wear them inside your shorts, right?"

"Um...I..."

"Ankit, it's a pool party...I told you that."

"Yeah, but I didn't think all of us had to get into the pool!"

"Ankit, you can't just stand around in a collared shirt at a pool party," Isha said. "Come on, let's ask Tobias if he as extra trunks."

"Isha, no," Ankit's voice was firm. "I am not wearing some other guy's clothes. I'm...I'm not doing that."

"Ankit, it's just swim trunks..."

"I said no, Isha."

They stared at each other. The muffled thump of music came through the walls. Somewhere, people were laughing.

"Fine," Isha said finally. "Do what you want."

She opened the bathroom door and walked toward the pool. She didn't look back.

---

Ankit stood there for a moment.

He could tell Isha was angry. He looked at himself in the bathroom mirror. His collared shirt and cargo shorts and sneakers. The shirt straining against his belly. The softness and curves near his chest, where it should've been firm.

When did that happen? When did I start looking like this?

He couldn't tell Isha. Heck, he didn't even want to admit it to himself. The real reason he didn't bring his swim trunks - he was feeling self-conscious.

Ankit didn't want to take his shirt off in front of these people.

These fit, model-type people...who went to the gym, who took off their shirts and dresses without a care, who were confident about their bodies.

Ankit had thought he and Isha were not like those people.

But seeing Isha in that bikini just now...wearing so little yet so confident, the toned muscles, the abs, that incredible ass.

In that moment, Isha looked like she belonged more tothat crowd.

He walked out of the bathroom, looking like a man who'd wandered into the wrong party.

---

Ankit's eyes searched for Isha. For a second there, he couldn't find her in the sea of bodies. He panicked just for a few seconds.

And he found her. He was relieved. She was at the bar, talking to Sasha. He walked towards them.

The bar was technically indoor, separated from the open pool area with glass doors. The music was a bit muffled here, but the vibe still carried through because of the clear visibility of the party scene outside.

"Ankit, why aren't you..." Sasha asked as he walked to the bar counter.

"He's not going to swim," Isha said before Sasha could finish her question.

"Why?" Sasha asked.

Isha looked at Ankit, expecting him to give the answer. She was not going to come to his defense on this, clearly still annoyed with him at the moment.

"Uh," Ankit said. "I just...I don't feel like getting wet right now."

Sasha looked at him for a moment and then smiled. "Well, you might not have a choice, mate. Got some games coming up later - chicken fights, pool volleyball, that sort of thing. You'll cop a splash at the very least."

Ankit's expression clearly changed. "Sounds fun."

Sasha glanced at Isha and then back at Ankit.

"Tell you what," Sasha said, reaching behind the bar. "We've also got an open bar. So if the pool games aren't your thing..." She grabbed a bottle of whiskey, some lime and some other bottle with a clear liquid, and started mixing them. She looked like someone who knew what she was doing. "...you can have fun this way instead."

She slid the glass toward him. It smelled like honey and smoke and lime.

Ankit took a sip. His eyebrows rose. "That's...actually really good."

"Sasha's Special," she said with a wink. "My own creation. Don't ask me what's in it...I'll have to kill ya."

Ankit laughed. A small, genuine laugh. "Thanks."

"Now that you have my cocktail creation in your hand," Sasha said looping her arm through Isha's "I hope you don't mind if I take your fiancé here so we can have some pool fun."

"No, Sasha," Isha started to say. "I'd rather just stay here with Ankit..."

"No way, come on," Sasha protested. "Ankit's having his fun...doesn't need you hovering."

She looked at Ankit. "Tell her Ankit."

"Uh, right," Ankit took another sip. "Go, Isha. Enjoy yourself. I am good here, don't worry about me."

Isha looked at him for a second.

"Are you....sure?"

Ankit gave Sasha a quick glance and then turned his eyes back to Isha.

"Of course I'm sure, Isha. Go...have fun with your friends."

Isha looked at Ankit for a long moment. He was already taking another sip, his eyes on the liquid in his glass, not on her.

Fineshe thought.

"Okay," Isha said. "I'm going to hang out by the pool then."

"Enjoy yourself," Ankit said, without looking up.

Isha turned to Sasha and smiled, Sasha nodded at her with a warm smile. Isha started walking towards the pool, while Sasha stayed behind.

Sasha leaned on the bar, watching Isha wade into the pool. Watching Cooper's head turn towards her as she entered.

"You right, mate?" she asked Ankit.

"Fine." He took another sip. "Great actually."

Sasha smiled and said nothing. She'd make sure he had another drink in his hand before this one was empty.

---

Isha looked back at Ankit as she walked away from the indoor bar area. He was already talking to Sasha, drink in hand. He wasn't watching her go.

Isha turned to the pool. It was lit up beautifully. A few people were in it already, mostly couples. Enjoying their drinks by the edge, floating close to each other.

Even though the sun had set, the air was still quite warm. Isha felt like getting into the water.

She waded into the pool alone. The water felt nice against her skin. She found a spot near the edge where she could stand. The water was coming up to her collarbone. She raised her feet off the floor and slowly let herself float, letting her ears submerge in the water.