Keifer's POV
Morning in Krish's grandparents' house was slower.
Warm sunlight through thin curtains.
The smell of tea.
Muted voices.
Section E had gathered in the living room in various states of laziness.
Honey was wrapped in a blanket like a burrito.
Percy had claimed the floor cushion beside her.
Aries and Ella were sharing one side of the couch.
Ci-n and Rakki were pretending not to sit too close.
Edrix leaned back while Freya rested against him.
Calix and Mica were whispering about something on his phone.
Grace sat carefully with Grazel asleep against her chest while Denzel hovered nearby like a guard.
Jay was beside me.
Hair slightly messy.
Still half asleep.
She was holding a mug with both hands, staring at the TV without really watching it.
Krish had the remote.
Eces sat upright, as always composed, legs crossed, attention sharp even this early.
News channel.
Morning headlines.
Then the tone changed.
The anchor's voice shifted — serious.
"Breaking international news…"
The screen switched.
A photo appeared.
A corporate office.
Police tape.
Flashing lights.
Then—
A picture of a man sitting in his chair.
Blood staining his shirt.
A knife lodged in his chest.
The image wasn't shown for long before it blurred.
But it was enough.
Enough for me to recognise the man and office.
The headline read:
Businessman Kaizer Watson Found Dead in His Office in the Philippines.
The room froze.
No one breathed.
The anchor continued:
"Authorities report that the body was discovered early this morning. A note was found at the scene with the initials 'BS' written on it. Investigation is ongoing."
Silence.
Heavy.
Jay's fingers tightened slightly around her mug.
Grace instinctively covered Grazel's ear even though the baby was asleep.
Honey slowly straightened.
Aries' playful expression vanished.
Ci-n stopped mid-comment.
Even Keiren didn't joke.
Krish's jaw tightened subtly.
Eces didn't blink.
The photo flashed once more before the broadcast returned to the studio.
Knife.
Blood.
Stillness.
Gone.
The TV volume felt too loud.
Krish muted it.
No one spoke for several seconds.
Then Keigan exhaled quietly.
"So… it's done."
Jay looked at him sharply. "Don't say it like that."
"But it is," he replied, softer this time.
Rory ran a hand through his hair.
"BS," Drew murmured. "That's not random."
Ci-n looked toward Eces.
She didn't react outwardly.
Just thoughtful.
Calculating.
Yuri broke the silence first.
"If he's gone… then the threat's gone."
Blaster nodded slowly. "No leverage left."
Mayo leaned back against the wall. "No retaliation."
David spoke low. "No more looking over our shoulders."
The realization settled gradually.
Like fog lifting.
Jay finally whispered, "So… we're safe?"
Krish answered this time.
"Yes."
Simple.
Certain.
Grace let out a breath she'd probably been holding for months.
Denzel placed a steady hand on her shoulder.
Honey leaned back again, tension leaving her posture.
Aries glanced at Ella, squeezing her hand.
Ci-n looked around at all of us.
"So we can actually enjoy this trip now?"
Keiren blinked. "Wait— we weren't fully enjoying it?"
Rakki smacked his arm lightly.
Eman nodded slowly. "No more unfinished business."
Freya leaned into Edrix slightly.
Calix glanced at Mica, softer than usual.
Eren muttered, "That escalated fast."
Josh shook his head quietly.
Kit lowered his phone for once.
Felix just stared at the muted screen.
Jay hadn't moved.
Her eyes were still on the TV.
Processing.
I leaned closer slightly.
"You okay?"
She nodded.
After a second.
"Yeah."
But her voice was quieter than usual.
Eces finally stood.
That small movement pulled everyone's attention.
"It's over," she said calmly.
No emotion.
Just finality.
Krish stood beside her.
"We don't speculate," he added. "We don't discuss it outside this room."
Everyone nodded.
Understood.
Eces looked around at all of us.
"All of you came here to breathe. To rest."
Her gaze briefly met mine.
Then Jay's.
"You will do that."
Not a suggestion.
A decision.
Percy stretched his arms above his head.
"Well," he said carefully, testing the atmosphere, "that's one way to start a morning."
Honey nudged him.
"Idiot."
But her voice was lighter now.
The tension was thinning.
Keiren slowly raised his hand.
"So… breakfast?"
The room didn't laugh.
Not at first.
Then Aries snorted.
Then Ella.
Then Rakki.
And slowly, one by one—
The heaviness broke.
Jay finally leaned back into the couch.
Exhaled.
And without thinking, she rested her head against my shoulder.
Not dramatic.
Not seeking attention.
Just instinct.
I didn't move.
Just let her.
Around us, Section E began talking again.
Not loudly.
But normally.
Life continuing.
Outside, Jaipur sunlight filled the windows.
Inside, something had shifted.
The danger that had lingered unspoken—
Gone.
Finished.
No more shadows behind the laughter.
No more unfinished threats.
Just us.
Together.
Safe.
And for the first time since we arrived—
The future didn't feel tense.
It felt open.
Krish turned the TV off completely. Honey stretched dramatically. Keiren declared he needed "emotional carbs." Ci-n claimed tragedy required snacks.
And then—
The power flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Gone.
The house dropped into soft daylight silence.
"No WiFi?" Kit said in horror.
Aries clapped his hands once. "Perfect."
"For what?" Ella asked.
"For culture."
He pulled out his phone, scrolled dramatically, and within seconds—
Music burst into the room.
🎵 Gallan Goodiyan
Honey gasped. "YES."
Percy jumped up immediately. "I was born for this."
Within seconds, Section E transformed.
Aries grabbed Ella's hand and spun her. Ci-n pulled Rakki into exaggerated choreography. Calix snapped his fingers at Mica like they were in a music video. Edrix didn't dance—but Freya dragged him anyway. Blaster and Felix formed an unnecessary backup squad. Keiren tried to outdo everyone and failed spectacularly.
Grace laughed as Denzel carefully bounced Grazel in rhythm.
Even Eces smiled.
Small. But there.
Jay was still sitting beside me.
Arms folded.
Trying to look unimpressed.
"Don't," she warned.
"I didn't say anything."
"You're thinking it."
"I am."
The song shifted.
🎵 Nashe Si Chadh Gayi
The vibe changed.
Less chaotic.
More… playful.
Aries leaned dramatically into Ella. Percy twirled Honey too aggressively. Ci-n attempted something that looked like a proposal move. Rakki shoved him.
I stood.
Held out my hand.
Jay stared at it.
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"Jay."
She looked around.
Everyone was already watching.
Of course they were.
Keiren cupped his hands dramatically. "Oooooo."
Eces raised one eyebrow but didn't intervene.
Jay exhaled.
Then—
She placed her hand in mine.
The cheering was immediate.
"Finally!" Honey shouted.
I pulled her up gently.
Not dramatic.
Not flashy.
Just steady.
The music shifted again.
🎵 Raataan Lambiyan
The room softened instantly.
The chaos dimmed into swaying couples.
Aries slowed. Percy stopped showing off. Even Ci-n reduced the theatrics.
Jay looked up at me.
"This is public humiliation."
"It's dancing."
"With an audience."
"You're the one who said today was nice."
She hesitated.
Then—
She stepped closer.
Not forced.
Not teased.
Just… chose to.
My hand moved to her waist carefully.
Her fingers tightened slightly on my shoulder.
We didn't perform.
We didn't exaggerate.
We just moved slowly to the rhythm.
Jaipur sunlight filtered through the windows.
Everyone else blurred a little.
The teasing quieted.
Jay's expression wasn't flustered.
It wasn't defensive.
It was calm.
Her forehead almost brushed my chin when she looked down.
"You're not allowed to remember this," she muttered.
"I will remember everything."
She rolled her eyes—but didn't step back.
The song shifted again.
🎵 Tum Se Hi
Keiren dramatically clutched his heart.
"This is destiny-coded."
"Shut up," Keigan said, but he was smiling.
Jay exhaled softly.
"You're smiling," I said quietly.
"I'm not."
"You are."
She didn't deny it this time.
Around us:
Aries rested his forehead against Ella's. Percy whispered something that made Honey laugh. Ci-n actually held Rakki properly instead of joking. Calix leaned down to murmur something to Mica. Edrix brushed Freya's hair back gently. Denzel stood close behind Grace while she rocked Grazel.
Even Eces and Krish stood side by side, not touching—but aligned.
The power was still out.
No distractions.
No news.
No threats.
Just music from a phone speaker.
And warmth.
Jay looked up at me again.
Closer now.
Her voice softer.
"Okay… maybe today is really nice."
I leaned slightly closer.
"Maybe."
For a second—
It felt like the room disappeared.
Like it was just us.
Her breath hitched slightly.
And then—
Blaster yelled, "KISS CAM ENERGY!"
The entire room erupted.
Jay immediately stepped back.
Face red.
"Blaster, I will throw something at you."
Felix nearly fell over laughing.
Honey screamed dramatically.
Aries clapped like a proud host.
I didn't chase the moment.
Didn't push.
I just looked at her.
And she looked back.
Still blushing.
But smiling.
The next song burst louder.
🎵 What Jhumka?
Chaos returned instantly.
Full choreography. Overacting. Terrible high notes. Ci-n fully committing to dramatic spins.
Jay laughed freely now.
No hesitation.
No weight from the morning.
Just light.
And when she came back beside me—
She didn't wait this time.
She slipped her hand into mine on her own.
No announcement.
No teasing.
Just natural.
And I realized—
The danger was gone.
But this?
This was just beginning.
The music had finally died down.
The living room was a mess of cushions, half-empty glasses, and people who were way too energized for a power cut.
Jay was sitting beside me — my wife, technically calm, practically dangerous when surrounded by this many instigators.
Blaster clapped once. "Truth or Dare. No excuses. Married people are not exempt."
Jay narrowed her eyes. "Try me."
Eces — sitting cross-legged near the couch — brushed her hair back calmly. Even when she was relaxed, there was something composed about her. Krish leaned casually against the armrest behind her, pretending not to watch her too closely.
The circle formed.
Grace had Grazel asleep against her shoulder, Denzel beside her like a guard on duty. Aries and Ella were already whispering strategies. Percy looked like he'd been waiting for this his entire life.
Felix spun the bottle.
It landed on Eces.
A collective "ohhhhh" rippled through the room.
Ci-n leaned forward. "Truth or Dare?"
Eces didn't hesitate. "Truth."
Honey grinned wickedly. "Have you ever almost confessed your feelings to someone in this room… and stopped yourself?"
The room went still.
Krish didn't move — but his jaw tightened slightly.
Eces's eyes flickered around the circle once.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Yes."
The reaction was immediate.
"WHO?" Keiren demanded.
"Truth was whether I had," she replied smoothly. "Not who."
Groans everywhere.
Blaster threw a cushion.
Krish just shook his head, half amused, half resigned.
Felix spun again.
This time it landed on Keigan.
The room shifted.
Keigan wasn't loud like Keiren. He was quieter. Observant.
"Truth or Dare?" Aries asked.
Keigan exhaled slowly.
"…Truth."
Percy smirked. "Who here do you think about more than you should?"
Silence.
Keigan didn't joke.
Didn't deflect.
He looked across the circle.
And his gaze stopped.
On Eces.
For a split second, it was almost invisible.
But not to me.
Not to Jay.
Not to Krish.
The air tightened.
Keigan swallowed.
"…Someone I shouldn't," he said carefully.
The room exploded in noise.
"NAME!" Blaster shouted.
"Truth was answered," Keigan replied quietly.
Eces didn't look away.
Krish did.
Just slightly.
Felix spun again.
And fate, apparently, loved chaos.
The bottle pointed at Jay.
My wife folded her arms. "I'm married. Be respectful."
"Exactly why this is interesting," Honey shot back.
"Truth," Jay said firmly.
Aries leaned forward. "What's something about your husband that still makes your heart race?"
The room turned toward me instantly.
Jay glanced at me once.
Then back at them.
"When he stops joking," she said softly. "When he looks at me like he's choosing me all over again."
The teasing faded.
That wasn't playful.
That was real.
My throat tightened slightly.
Blaster cleared his throat dramatically. "Okay that's illegal."
Felix spun again.
It landed on me.
"Dare," I said immediately.
Ci-n grinned. "Fine. Kiss your wife like you mean it."
The room erupted.
Jay rolled her eyes — but she was smiling.
I shifted closer.
Placed my hand gently on her jaw.
Not rushed.
Not exaggerated.
Just intentional.
And I kissed her.
Soft.
Slow.
Certain.
The room howled like we'd won something.
Percy fell sideways.
Keiren clapped like this was a sports match.
When I pulled back, Jay's cheeks were warm — but her expression was steady.
"Happy?" she asked the room.
"Very," Honey said dramatically.
Felix spun again.
It landed on Keigan.
Again.
The room gasped.
"Dare," Keigan said this time, almost challenging them.
Ella didn't hesitate. "Look at the person you almost confessed to… and say what you were going to say."
Dead silence.
Even Grazel stirred slightly at the shift in energy.
Keigan's breathing changed.
He looked up.
And this time he didn't hide it.
He looked directly at Eces.
The room collectively held its breath.
"I was going to say," he started, voice low but steady, "that no matter how composed you are… you matter more to me than I planned."
A heartbeat.
Two.
Three.
No one joked.
No one interrupted.
Eces's expression softened — not dramatically, just enough.
Krish looked away briefly, processing.
Keigan continued, quieter now.
"But I stopped… because timing matters."
It wasn't a full confession.
But it was close enough to shake the room.
Blaster whispered, "Oh this is cinema."
Eces finally spoke.
"You always overthink," she said gently.
Not rejection.
Not acceptance.
Something suspended.
The tension didn't explode.
It lingered.
Felix spun again, desperate to break the intensity.
But the mood had shifted.
Not chaotic.
Not teasing.
Just aware.
Jay's hand slid into mine under the cushion.
Warm.
Certain.
Around us: Aries leaned into Ella. Percy rested his shoulder against Honey. Ci-n was uncharacteristically quiet beside Rakki. Denzel adjusted the blanket around Grace and Grazel. Calix's fingers were laced with Mica's. Edrix and Freya sat closer than before.
And in the center of it all —
Eces and Keigan sat across from each other.
Not speaking.
But no longer pretending.
The power was still out.
The room lit only by phone flashlights and afternoon glow.
And somehow—
Truth had made everything brighter.
++++++++++++
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Who do you think BS is??