Chapter One Hundred Eleven: The Landing, The Carry, and The Slip
The jet touched down in Manila as the sun was setting.
Golden light streamed through the windows, painting everything in warm hues. The familiar landscape of the Philippines spread below them—green islands, blue sea, the sprawl of the city in the distance.
Everyone was tired but happy.
Except Akshi.
Akshi was completely unconscious.
---
She'd fallen asleep about an hour into the flight and hadn't stirred since.
Curled up in her seat, mouth slightly open, completely dead to the world.
Chethan looked at her with pure adoration.
"She's beautiful," he whispered.
Percy leaned over. "She's drooling."
"BEAUTIFUL DROOLING."
---
The plane came to a stop.
Everyone gathered their things, stretched, prepared to disembark.
Akshi didn't move.
Chethan gently shook her shoulder. "Akshi. We're here."
Nothing.
"Akshi."
Snoring.
He sighed. Smiled.
Then he bent down and lifted her.
Cradled her against his chest like she weighed nothing.
She snuggled closer, still asleep.
---
Percy gasped dramatically. "THE PRINCESS CARRY! THIS IS SO ROMANTIC!"
Honey pulled him back. "Babe, let them—"
"I'M WITNESSING HISTORY!"
C.N. made a note. "Chethan carrying sleeping Akshi. Romantic gesture level: 95%."
Rakii photographed. "For the album. 'Sleeping Beauty.'"
Mica cooed. "That's so sweet!"
Calix nodded. "Goals."
Felix smiled. "They're perfect."
Bridget leaned into him. "We're pretty perfect too."
"Also true."
---
Jay watched them, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Keifer noticed. "What are you thinking?"
"Nothing."
"Jay."
"Just... ideas."
"Ideas are dangerous."
"The best kind of dangerous."
---
They started down the jet stairs.
One by one.
Percy first, still narrating for Yuri's camera.
Honey following, trying to shush him.
C.N. and Rakii, discussing angles.
Felix and Bridget, hand in hand.
David and Freya, David attempting to carry too many bags.
Mica and Calix, Mica bouncing despite exhaustion.
Aries and Ella, Ella moving carefully, one hand on her belly.
Keifer and Jay, Jay hanging back slightly.
Chethan, carrying Akshi, moving slowly and carefully down the stairs.
Mithun and Shreya, bringing up the rear.
---
Jay waited.
Watched.
Shreya reached the top of the stairs.
Jay struck.
A fake stumble.
A loud "WHOOPs!"
---
Shreya turned to look.
Her foot caught on the edge of the stair.
She stumbled forward.
"AHH!"
Mithun reacted instantly.
Grabbed her arm.
Pulled her back.
But her momentum was too much.
They both stumbled.
Mithun's back hit the railing.
Shreya landed against his chest.
They froze.
---
The entire group turned.
Percy screamed. "ANOTHER ONE! ANOTHER ROMANTIC CATCH!"
Honey grabbed him. "Percy, quiet!"
"I CAN'T! THIS IS TOO ROMANTIC!"
Shreya's face was red. "I'm sorry—I didn't mean to—"
Mithun's ears were pink. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. You?"
"Fine."
Neither moved.
---
Jay watched from above, grinning.
Keifer appeared beside her. "You did that on purpose."
"Maybe."
"You're evil."
"Your evil."
He kissed her cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now watch the romance."
---
Chethan, still carrying Akshi, somehow managed to film with one hand.
"THIS IS GOLD!"
Akshi stirred. "Wha—"
"Go back to sleep, baby. Romance is happening."
"K."
She went back to sleep.
---
Shreya finally found the strength to step back.
But not far.
Mithun's hand was still on her arm.
Neither of them let go.
"I remember," she whispered.
He blinked. "What?"
"This. Almost falling. You catching me. Jog Falls. It's the same."
"It is the same."
"I remember that. I remember you."
He pulled her closer. Just a little.
"That's enough."
---
Percy was sobbing. "THEY'RE HAVING A MOMENT! A REAL MOMENT!"
Honey hugged him. "Let them have it."
"I'M HAVING IT WITH THEM!"
C.N. made another note. "Second romantic catch of the day. Pattern emerging."
Rakii photographed. "The light is perfect."
Yuri zoomed in. "Content. Pure content."
---
They finally made it down the stairs.
All of them.
Akshi woke up as Chethan set her down.
"Did I miss something?"
"Everything."
"DAMMIT."
---
Cars waited.
Luggage loaded.
Goodbyes said—not forever, just until tomorrow.
Percy hugged everyone. Twice.
Honey dragged him away.
"I'LL SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW! FOR BREAKFAST! WITH UPDATES!"
"Percy, GO."
"I'M GOING!"
---
The mansion welcomed them home.
Keiran ran inside, Rex and Ganesha leading the way.
Keigan was waiting. "You're back. Finally. It was too quiet."
"We missed you too."
He shrugged, but he was smiling.
---
That night, they gathered in the living room.
Exhausted but happy.
Akshi and Chethan curled together.
Shreya and Mithun close on the couch.
Aries and Ella, Ella's hand on her belly.
Jay and Keifer, Jay leaning against him.
Keiran asleep, Rex and Ganesha on guard.
---
Jay looked around.
At her family.
Her chaotic, beautiful, growing family.
"We're home," she whispered.
Keifer kissed her hair. "We're home."
Another trip over.
Another chapter closed.
But the story—their story—was far from over.
---
End of Chapter One Hundred Eleven