Chapter Ninety-Six: Uninterrupted
The morning after Shreya's return, the mansion was still heavy with tension.
Shreya still wouldn't look at Mithun. Mithun still sat in the garden, waiting. Akshi fluttered between them, helpless. Chethan held her close.
Jay watched it all from the kitchen, heart aching.
Keifer came up behind her. Wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"You've been staring at them for an hour."
"I can't help it. They're both hurting."
"I know." He kissed her shoulder. "But you can't fix it for them."
"I know."
"They have to figure it out themselves."
"I know."
"So..." He turned her around. "Let's give them space. And take some for ourselves."
She raised an eyebrow. "What did you have in mind?"
---
An hour later, they were in the car.
No destination. Just... driving.
Windows down. Music playing. Hands intertwined.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"Anywhere. Nowhere. Does it matter?"
She smiled. "No. I guess not."
---
They ended up at a small beach.
Private. Secluded. Perfect.
The sand was soft. The water was calm. The sun was warm.
Jay kicked off her shoes. Ran toward the water.
Keifer watched her, heart full.
She spun around. "Are you coming or what?"
He walked toward her. Slowly.
She backed into the water. He followed.
"Jay—"
"Come get me."
He lunged. She squealed. Ran deeper.
He caught her around the waist. Lifted her.
She laughed. Actually laughed.
The kind of laugh that came from somewhere deep.
---
He carried her out of the water. Laid her on the sand.
Stared down at her.
"What?" she asked.
"Just... looking."
"At what?"
"At you. At us. At this moment."
She reached up. Touched his face. "I love you."
"I love you too." He kissed her palm. "More than everything."
"Show me."
He did.
---
They stayed on that beach for hours.
Talking. Laughing. Kissing.
No interruptions.
No phones.
No family.
Just them.
---
Later, they lay on a blanket, watching the clouds.
"Remember when we first met?" she asked.
"You fainted on a sidewalk."
"I did NOT faint."
"You literally collapsed in my arms."
"I had a moment of weakness."
He laughed. "Best moment of my life."
"Really?"
"Really. You changed everything."
She turned to look at him. "You changed me too. Made me believe in love again. Made me believe in family. Made me—"
He kissed her.
Soft. Sweet. Full of years of love.
---
They drove home as the sun set.
Hand in hand.
Peaceful.
---
The mansion was quiet when they returned.
Akshi and Chethan were curled on the couch, watching a movie.
Percy and Honey had gone home.
C.N. and Rakii were in their room.
Felix and Bridget were reading.
David and Freya were... somewhere.
Mica and Calix had finally worn themselves out.
Keiran was asleep, Rex and Ganesha on guard.
Shreya's door was closed.
Mithun was still in the garden.
---
Jay and Keifer walked upstairs.
To their room.
Closed the door.
Locked it.
"No interruptions," she whispered.
"None."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
---
The night was theirs.
No video cameras.
No Percy.
No chaos.
Just them.
Finally.
---
End of Chapter Ninety-Six