Cherreads

Chapter 11 - Coastal Area

John and Soraya stumbled into their cozy booked room, both utterly exhausted from a whirlwind of a day. Soraya, barely able to keep her eyes open, dove straight into bed and succumbed to sleep.

Meanwhile, John felt a rush of energy. After a quick shower, he sank into a chair, grabbed the remote, and flicked on the television. At that moment, his heart raced—there was a live stream of a local football match! John, an ardent supporter of Shabana FC, wasn't about to miss this showdown against Police FC. It promised to be a fierce battle, with both teams vying for supremacy on the field.

"Hurray! Hurray!" he cheered, bursting with excitement as Shabana FC scored.

Soraya stirred awake, groggy yet curious about the ruckus. Rubbing her eyes, she spotted John, glued to the screen.

With a sigh, she padded over, snatched the remote, and switched off the television. "What are you doing up at this hour?" she questioned, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Can't you keep it down? We need to sleep!"

Conflicted but unwilling to engage in an argument, John, still wrapped in his towel, climbed into bed, facing the wall. Typically, this was Soraya's side, where she liked to nestle against the wall. But tonight felt different—an undercurrent of tension lingered after her interruption of his cherished game. The adopted child slept soundly between them, oblivious to the discord.

Feeling disheartened, Soraya turned away, pulling the duvet snugly around herself. Ironically, despite their spat, they shared the cozy warmth of the blanket, their connection lingering beneath the surface.

When dawn broke, John awoke first, stretching lazily before turning to face Soraya, only to find her still turned away, her back to him. 

By 7 a.m., he decided to leave the bed, settling into the chair. It wasn't long before Soraya joined him, the last to rise, carrying along the adopted child. As a dutiful partner, she straightened the bed covers before plopping down on John's thighs, reveling in the comfort of his chest.

In no time, John switched on the TV, and they settled in for the morning news, relieved to hear the Ministry of Defense reassuring everyone that the coastal area was safe.

Eager for some refreshment, they strolled to the washroom, where warm water awaited them, leaving the child on the chair. The playfulness of the moment swept over them, splashing each other with water and filling the air with laughter. John even seized a moment to serenade his beloved with a song dedicated to her.

With the room to themselves, they felt a sense of freedom washing over them. John rummaged through their suitcase, pulling out a bottle of lotion. True to the phrase "ladies first," he gently applied it to Soraya's skin before treating himself. That's when he decided it would be a blue day—the perfect choice for what lay ahead.

Fully dressed and looking sharp, they ordered breakfast, which arrived promptly. 

After enjoying their meal, they embarked on an adventure, walking a short distance before hopping into a taxi that took them to Way Bridge Beach. Known to be the finest in the coastal region, it promised gentle waves and a refreshing breeze.

But before leaving, they had to drop the child at a daycare, where they would pick him up in the evening.

Soraya's excitement bubbled over; it was her first visit to the beach, and her mind raced with endless questions about what awaited her. 

Upon arrival, they were greeted by the buzz of activity—vendors peddling their wares and a luxurious hotel perched right by the shoreline. All Soraya could think about was diving into the shimmering water, eager to create unforgettable memories.

The queen's coastal adventure was nothing short of thrilling! As the couple waded into the sparkling blue waters, their laughter mixed with the sound of crashing waves, but it quickly became clear that they weren't exactly swimming experts. To navigate the sea, they decided to rent some colorful floaters, which proved both fun and essential.

What started as light-hearted splashing turned into a playful dance with the ocean's rhythm. They leaped and bobbed with the waves, enjoying the exhilarating sensation of being tossed around like leaves in the wind. To stay safe, they made sure to keep the water at a chest-high level, believing it to be their fortress against the sea.

Then, out of nowhere, a towering wave surged toward them, enveloping the couple in a rush of salty foam. When the wave receded, it had swept Soraya away, leaving her grasping for safety. Panic surged through her as she cried out for help, her voice barely breaking through the roar of the ocean.

With instinct kicking in, John dashed through the tumultuous water, desperately reaching for her. He grabbed her leg just as the tide threatened to pull her under, but in the chaos, his floater vanished into the depths. Together, they fought against the current, but their escape to the shore became a daunting challenge. 

Frantically, they raised their hands, hoping someone would come to their aid. Just when despair threatened to overcome them, a beach boy spotted the distressed pair and dove into the waves, swimming bravely toward them. Relief washed over John and Soraya as they saw him approaching, a beacon of hope amidst their struggle.

However, upon reaching them, the beach boy's demeanor shifted. He demanded an outrageous sum of one hundred thousand dollars for his service. The couple was taken aback—such a steep price felt impossible. Soraya, determined not to give in, offered a mere twenty dollars, but the beach boy remained unmoved and nearly walked away, leaving them in peril.

Quickly, John intervened, pleading with the beach boy to reconsider. With a mixture of frustration and desperation, they managed to negotiate. Once they finally reached the safety of the shore, Soraya handed over her twenty dollars, but the encounter had escalated into a tense standoff. Both sides stood firm, unyielding as they confronted the absurdity of the situation, each bold in their own right.

The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the shore as the couple settled into the soft, inviting sand. Soraya, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, playfully tossed handfuls of sand at her husband, who retaliated with equal enthusiasm. Their laughter filled the air, transforming the beach into their own playground.

As they played, a middle-aged man strolled past, exuding an air of charm that caught Soraya's attention. Leaning closer to her husband, she teased, "One day, I'm going to marry a man just like him! There's something incredibly romantic about them." John, momentarily taken aback, gently reminded her, "Honey, we're already married, remember?"

Just as their laughter echoed with the waves, a band of beach boys approached, clearly agitated and looking for trouble. They claimed one of their own felt wronged, and Soraya's heart sank as she watched them grab her husband. Panic set in as she let out a piercing scream, which pierced the calm of the beach. In an instant, concerned beachgoers rushed to intervene, rushing to protect them and restore peace to their seaside retreat.

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