Chapter 53| Boating

After a 10 to 20 mins drive, they reached the lake. Pawne Lake, one of the famous tourist Places in Lonavala. After they paid for the boating activity, The family members headed to the port area. Different varieties of boats were present there. Some large and some small. Some paddle boats while others with engine.

Naira:"Wow papa Boatttttt"(She said pointing at the big one.)

Ansh:"Let's go naaaa"(He said pulling Neil's hand)

Neil:"Naira Ansh wait. There are people in front of us right. We have to wait for them to go first"(After few mins it was their turn to pick the boats.)

Rahul:"we can take the kids on the big one"

Man:"Sir that boat can hold between 5 to 7 people"

Rohan:"Sid, Ryan you want to go with Dadu dadi or do you want to go alone?"

Ryan:"We will go with dadi and dadu"(He said as he side hugged his dadi making her smile)

Preeti:"Sid I wanna try the peddling boat"(Sid Nodded)

Rohan:"We will take the 2 seater engine boat"

Sid:"What about you Neil Bhai?"

Neil:(Turning to Ahana)"What do you want to try?"

Ahana:"Let's take the engine boat. Paddling boat will be tiring "

Neil:"okay"

Man:"Sir if you don't mind can you take the paddling boat. We have one more costumer who wouldn't be able to paddle at such age. "(He said pointing at a old Couple waiting behind them.)

Ahana:"Yes yes. We have no problem. Give them the engine boat. "(Ahana said immediately and Neil agreed)

Man:"Thank you sir"

Rahul and Angali along with the kids went in the big boat. Rohan and Shruti took the engine boat while Sid and Preeti settled down in  the peddling boat. They started their boat and drove away from the port to make space for other boats to fill up. Neil and Ahana wore the life Jacket before they headed to the boat. Neil got on the boat with the help of the man on the port then he extended his hand towards Ahana who held it as Neil helped her on the boat. As they settled down their boat, Neil and Ahana started to paddle backwards to move the boat back.

The boat itself was small. Only had 2 seats for the couple and 1 steering handle to change directions and 2 paddling sets by the feet of the couple. Ahana and Neil slowly paddled as they moved the boat to the middle area of the Lake. The cool thing about this lake was that somewhere in the middle of the lake was a small temple which most people don't know about much. It was a believe that the temple is only located by few people and if one wishes something at that temple then the wish come true for sure. The only problem was that temple was really in the middle of the lake and this lake was really big.

Ahana:"Neil I read there was a temple that was located in the middle of the lake. Can we try and find it. "

Neil:"Temple? Here"

Ahana:"Yeah It's not as commonly know and apparently it's hidden nicely as well but we might find it if we look for it"

Neil:"If you want to then we can try"(He said with a smile as he held her hand and they continued to paddle.)

While paddling they met the boat of the kids and Rahul and Angali. The kids waved at their parents when they saw them. When they were again a little far from the other boats Ahana looked towards Neil to see him busy looking at the beauty of nature. Ahana quickly took her phone out and clicked few pictures of him. Hearing Movement he turned towards Ahana to see her clicking pics. He laughs as when she smiles at him and pointing her finger to his sunglasses which layed on his lap, indicating him to put them on. He obeyed as she took few more pictures of him.

Neil:"May I ask why my wife has become my personal photographer"(He asked as he saw her scrolling through her the picture of him she clicked)

Ahana:(looking at him as she winked)"Well what can I say. My husband over here looked really handsome so I wanted to capture that moment."

Neil:"well in that cases shouldn't I have some pictures of my beautiful wife as well."

Ahana:"Oh go ahead sir who stopped you"(She said giggling as Neil took his phone out to click some of her pictures while she posed. Ahana even took his sunglasses as posed with them as well.)"Let's take some with both of us. Here give me you phone"

Neil handed Ahana his phone and moves closer wrapping his arms around her waist as they clicked few selfies. Ahana  was scrolling through the photos in Neil's phone as she saw the pictures they click. Some pictures they were looking at the camera while other were of Neil kissing her cheeks or snuggling into her cheeks as she giggled. Ahana smiled as she looked at the pictures but some her smile faded as his phone started to ring.

Ahana:"Neil you phone"(She said looking at the Id of the caller. It was Natasha.)

Neil:(steering the boat as he and Ahana paddled)"Who is it. Pick it up for me na?"

Ahana:(Picking up the call)"He..."(Before she could even complete  Natasha started to talk)

Natasha:(In a flirty loud voice)"Neillll what are you dooooing"( Ahana pushed the phone a little away from her ears at her voice making Neil look at her confused)

Ahana:"It's me Natasha."

Natasha:(she frowned as a rude tone took over her)"And who are youu?"

Ahana:"Ahana. Neil's Wife remember?"

Natasha:"Why the hell do you have is phone? Where is Neil? "

Ahana:(Frowned )"why the hell wouldn't I have his phone? What part of I am his wife do you not understand?"(Ahana replied in the same tone being frustrated of Natasha's attitude. She then looked over at Neil to see him staring at her. She realized what she did and took a deep breath before replying in a clam voice again)"I Mean he is busy so I picked up the phone"

Natasha:"Where is Neil. I want to talk to him."(She said making Ahana again frustrated with her attitude. Ahana didn't bother to reply as she just handed the phone to Neil)

Neil:(Putting the phone on speaker and handing it back to Ahana as he held the steering of the boat even though they had stop paddling the boat)"Hello"(He said looking at Ahana who looked at Neil shocked as he put the phone on speaker)

Natasha:(Back to the sweet voice)"Oh finallyyyy. You should be careful with you phone Neil. I mean this time it was just me but what would happen if a business client called or something "

Neil:(Frowned as Ahana rolled her eyes)"What do you mean Natasha. Ahana is my wife. And even if it was a business client, Ahana would have handle them perfectly I know."

Natasha:"I was..I was just.."

Neil:"Leave that what do you want to talk to me about"

Natasha:"Oh yeah. Neil, Dad invited you have dinner with us. It's been long since we had dinner together. It will be fun right. You, me, Mom and dad. So be at my house by 8 today."

Neil:"I can't Natasha "

Natasha:"Whyyyy ? Neil common you won't even come for meee"

Neil:"I am not home Natasha. I am out of city"

Natasha:"What? Then how is Ah..what's her name? Aham? No no"

Neil:"Ahana. it's Ahana and She is with me because I am out on a vacation with my wife  Now if your interrogation is done, please tell uncle I won't be able to join. Bye"(Neil cut the call before Natasha could say Anything)

Ahana looked down at his phone in her hands before she looked at Neil to started paddling Again. Ahana also paddled but her eyes never left Neil. Soon after sometime Neil stopped Paddling and kept his hands on Ahana's thighs to stop her from paddling as well. Ahana didn't notice as she was still lost in her thoughts while looking at him.

Neil:(With a innocent face)"Shona you know I have no problem with you staring at me, infact I would love to sit here all day and do the same but we have to go back to the port area soon. So why not give some time to your god that you were wanting to find."( He said eyeing her to look in front)

Ahana looked in front to see a small temple which was hidden by the large rocks that surrounded it and the green leaves that grew around it. Ahana gasped as she looked at Neil who smiled and nodded. They both closed their eyes as they prayed.

Ahana:(In her mind)"Thank you Bhagwanji for everything. I would have never imagined that my life would be this happy ever after that incident that took place few years back. Please just keep you hand always on Neil, My kids and my family. I don't want our happiness to fade away. "

Neil:(In his mind)"Thank you Bhagwanji for giving me Ahana. I would have never imagined that there would be a day in my life where she would become the reason of my living. Please just make sure to keep her and my family happy and protected. We both have had a very difficult past but now I just want that our future is happy and beautiful."

After they prayed, Neil's phone rang. It was Rahul. Ahana picked it up. And Rahul stated that it is almost time for this activity to shut down for the day.  Ahana said that they would head back to the port soon. They both started to paddle back to the port. By the time they reached, The sun had started to set. The man secured the boat as The Malhotra family headed back to their resort.

Sid:"Bhai there is a dhabba few mins walk from here. Why don't we go there and have dinner before coming back."

Rohan:"Idea is not bad. What say papa?"

Rahul:"Yeah we can go"

Ahana:"But let's get our jackets because it is starting to get cold."

The girls agreed as they headed back and got jackets for everyone. Afterwards they started to walk in the cold yet warm lonavala night towards the dhabba.

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So guys I hope you enjoyed it.

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Will update next part soon.

Just a reminder to everyone that this story is fictional. So even though location such as Lonavala are real, some places or activities that might occur in this book might not actually be available in real life. So just think of it as a story and read it and don't fact check it. Thank you. I hope you all are enjoying the journey so far. Please like and Comment 💖💖

Precap:" More fun and romantic things on this family trip"

Translations:

Mumma/ Maa - Mom

Mummiji - Mother in law

Papa - dad

Beta - kid

Taiji - Dad's big brother's wife

Tauji  - Dad's big brother

Chacha -Dad's younger  brother

Chachi - Dad's younger Brother's wife

Bhabhi - Big brother's wife

Dadi - grandma

Dadu - grandpa

Ji - a word which shows respect towards the other person.

Bhaiya - Brother

Rasam - Ritual

Jaan/ Shona - An endearment which mean my life or my love.

Mami -  mother's brother's wife

Jiji - Sister

Bua - Father's Sister

Dadi bua -  Father's bua

Bhagwanji - God

Dhabba - Small open restaurant