As the final note faded into the sea breeze, Wannida took Rahul's hand and they walked off the stage together, the applause still ringing in their ears.
The local Thai waiters nearby, seeing such an incredibly well-matched and attractive couple, took out their phones to snap photos one after another.
"Wow, Wannida sings so beautifully. We are so lucky to hear her voice up close."
"Honestly? I feel like that handsome Indian guy sings even better! His voice is so deep!"
A young local waitress, looking at Rahul who was bathed in the golden, dying light of the setting sun, sighed with a face full of infatuation.
"He is seriously handsome. Indian men have such sharp, striking features! And he can sing and play the piano; he's really amazing, Naka!"
"I want to find an Indian boyfriend too!"
At this moment, the cafe owner rushed up to Rahul and Wannida, taking out two thick envelopes and handing them over with a deep, respectful bow.
"Miss Wannida, and this gentleman... thank you so very much for your performance."
"This is a small token of my immense appreciation; please accept it. Your singing captivated everyone and attracted so many people from the beach into my cafe. Thank you so much."
In Thai culture, there is no need for excessive formalities or fake refusals; Wannida directly took the two envelopes from the owner with a bright smile and handed one to Rahul.
Rahul felt it in his hand and noticed it was quite thick. This owner really knows how to handle things and build goodwill, he thought.
"Khop khun kha, Boss. We'll be going now."
Wannida pressed her palms together in a polite Thai greeting to the owner, then pulled Rahul out of the cafe by his hand.
Once she took his hand, she didn't let go.
The two strolled along the beautiful stretch of Jomtien Beach at sunset, watching the tourists from various countries coming and going. Unconsciously, they both slowed their pace, wanting to stretch the moment out as long as possible.
"Rahul, thank you," Wannida said softly. "Today has been the absolute happiest day I've had all year."
"I really wish time could just stop at this exact moment!"
She looked up at him, her large, expressive eyes completely full of unguarded affection.
Rahul stopped walking and looked back at her with equally bright, warm eyes. "Being with you today... I've felt more relaxed than I have in a very long time. It feels like the day passed by way too fast."
Hearing this, Wannida's gaze suddenly turned sorrowful, and she muttered to herself in a low whisper:
"I wish today wasn't just a vlog shoot... I wish it was a real date."
"What did you say?" Rahul asked, genuinely not hearing her over the crash of the waves.
Wannida didn't repeat it. Instead, her eyes darted to the water. She pointed at a colorful parasail being towed high through the air by a roaring speedboat and said excitedly:
"Rahul! I want to play that!"
Looking at Wannida's watery, eager eyes, Rahul chuckled, took her hand, and walked directly toward the speedboat operator. She was bouncing with the pure happiness of a child.
"How much for a tandem flight?" Rahul asked the tanned young operator.
"Boss, the two of you can fly together for just 1,500 Baht."
Rahul paid the cash, and a few Thai beach boys immediately rushed over to fit Rahul and Wannida with thick safety harnesses. Because it was a tandem flight, their bodies were strapped and pressed very, very close together. Standing behind her, Rahul could distinctly feel the perfect, delicate curves of Wannida's back against his chest.
The speedboat pulled up into the shallows, and the young men hooked the heavy tow ropes behind Rahul to the massive parasail laid out on the sand.
The speedboat roared to life, pulling the long rope tight as it headed straight out to the open sea.
Rahul felt Wannida's entire body trembling with nervous excitement against him. So, he smoothly switched the DJI camera to his left hand and used his strong right arm to hold Wannida tightly around her slender waist, leaning in to whisper directly in her ear over the engine noise:
"Don't be nervous. I've got you."
Those deep, steady words were like a shot of adrenaline for Wannida, making all her fear vanish immediately.
Suddenly, the beach boy holding the parasail behind them blew a sharp whistle. The rope connected to the speeding boat suddenly went completely taut, catching the wind and snapping the massive parasail upward.
Wannida let out a sudden, thrilling scream as she and Rahul were violently lifted off the sand and into the air.
Facing the setting sun, they flew higher and higher out over the Gulf of Thailand!
"WOW! This is amazing!"
"Rahul! We're flying!"
Suspended high under the parasail, Wannida shouted with pure, unrestrained joy. Even though the strong sea breeze blew her bangs completely messy, she didn't care at all.
In the distance, the sunset over the Pattaya sea took on an incredibly cinematic, romantic pink and purple hue.
Rahul looked down at the breathtaking, boundless sea, and then looked at the beautiful girl laughing in his arms. He felt a profound sense of awe and peace settle in his heart.
This is the meaning of life, he thought. Life should always be this wonderful! My previous twenty-seven years were far too hard and grey.
"Rahul! Look! It's a pink sunset!"
"It's so beautiful! It's so romantic!"
At this moment, high in the sky, Wannida was incredibly emotional. In such an atmospheric, wildly romantic, and isolated environment, she let go of all her idol training, all her fears, and all her reservations.
In her world right now, only the pink sky, the endless sea, and the Indian man holding her remained!
"Rahul! I'm so happy!"
"Rahul! I like you so much!"
As she shouted this into the wind, Wannida suddenly turned her head back to look at him.
Rahul, feeling the intense gravity of the moment, naturally knew what she wanted. He lowered his head.
At this moment, suspended high above the Pattaya sea, witnessed only by the pink sunset and the clouds, two hearts drew close together, becoming one.
It felt incredibly long—as long as a century. Yet it was also painfully short, lasting only the few minutes of their flight.
After the speedboat made a wide, sweeping circuit, it brought the two of them gently back down to the beach. With the help of the attendants, their feet touched the soft sand.
While the heavy harnesses were being unfastened, Wannida kept holding Rahul's hand tightly, refusing to let go. Even as Rahul led her off the bustling beach, she hadn't fully recovered from that kiss in the sky. She was biting her lower lip, her heart beating exceptionally fast against her ribs.
How did I become so bold just now? she wondered wildly. Was I being too easy? But that feeling... it was truly addictive. I feel so happy! Is this what it really feels like to fall for someone?
Rahul led Wannida into a quiet, upscale seafood restaurant off the main strip. After taking their seats in a private booth, he ordered a few dishes and finally clicked the DJI camera off.
Looking at the still-dazed, blushing Wannida sitting across from him, Rahul reached across the table and affectionately pinched her slightly chubby cheek.
"What are you thinking so hard about?" he smiled. "Today's shoot is officially over. After we eat, we'll head back to the hotel. Your manager must be getting frantic."
Wannida pouted, her eyes looking immediately reluctant and deeply sad as she said:
"No. I don't want to go back. I want to be with you all the time."
This sentence was completely sincere, devoid of any acting. But after saying it, Wannida immediately lost her vibrant spirit, her face clouding with genuine sadness.
She really wanted to be with Rahul. But she had just signed a draconian 5-year contract with SGE Entertainment, during which she was strictly forbidden from publicly dating anyone to maintain her 'pure idol' image. She also couldn't terminate the contract early; the breach of contract penalty was astronomically high—enough to bankrupt her family.
Being with Rahul made her happier than she had ever been. She loved that they could sing together and understand each other without trying.
But with her restrictive contract, what could she possibly do?
If she tried to stay with Rahul secretly, could she hide it from the paparazzi and the company? No, that wouldn't work. Rahul was an Indian citizen with massive businesses and a vlogging career back home. When he returned to Mumbai, she wouldn't be able to just secretly fly to India to see him. Her manager, Sister Pa, watched her schedule like a hawk.
What should I do?
Rahul, seeing the genuine despair in Wannida's eyes, felt deeply moved.
People are inherently selfish, let alone a guy with a 'Karma System' like Rahul. To be completely honest, he really liked this pure, good-hearted young girl. It truly felt like experiencing first love all over again, without any of the toxic, materialistic baggage he was used to.
Suddenly, a massive, brilliant corporate strategy rose in Rahul's mind.
Since Wannida's agency desperately wanted to open up the massive Indian market anyway... why couldn't he use the massive capital from his Santiya deal to start his own Media & Talent Management company in Mumbai, and formally partner with SGE Entertainment?
By acquiring the rights to manage her Indian promotions, he could legitimately bring Wannida to India for long, extended periods for 'work'!
Thinking of this, Rahul reached across the table, took both of her hands in his, and said in a gentle, profoundly reassuring tone:
"We have an ancient saying in India, Wannida."
"'If the love between two souls is true and destined to last forever, why do they need to be together every single day and night?'"
"Trust me, Bunny. Our story isn't going to end after today."