MARRY YOUR KILLER
Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Shopping
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The morning came bright and hot.
Percy was up before the sun. He had been waiting for this day for weeks. Shopping. Traditional clothes. Silk and gold. The wedding outfits. He had a list. He had a plan. He had a vision.
Honey was still asleep. He kissed her forehead. She didn't move. He kissed her again. She swatted him. He ran.
The hallway was quiet. He knocked on Aries and Ella's door. No answer. He knocked on Lyra and Alex's door. No answer. He knocked on Care and Cole's door. No answer. He knocked on Rakki and Ci N's door. No answer. He knocked on Mica and Calix's door. No answer. He knocked on Freya and Erdix's door. No answer. He knocked on Grace and Denzel's door. No answer. He knocked on Kuya Angelo and Ion's door. No answer. He knocked on Tita Gemma and Tita Rachel's door. No answer. He knocked on Keigan and Keiran's room.
Keigan opened the door. His face was cold. His eyes were sharp. He was seventeen now. Tall. Lean. Deadly. He looked like Keifer. He moved like Keifer. He was Keifer's brother.
"What?" Keigan said.
Percy grinned. "Shopping."
Keigan's face didn't change. "No."
Percy grabbed his arm. "Yes."
Keiran appeared behind Keigan. He was thirteen now. Taller than before. His face was bright. His eyes were warm. He was the sunshine of the family. The only one who could make Keigan smile.
"Shopping?" Keiran said. His voice was high. His face was bright. "With Ate Jay?"
Percy's grin widened. "With Ate Jay."
Keiran ran to Jay and Keifer's room. He banged on the door. "ATE JAY! ATE JAY! WE'RE GOING SHOPPING!"
The door opened. Jay stood in the doorway. Her hair was loose. Her face was calm. Her stomach was flat. The twins were hidden. Keifer was behind her, his hand on her back, his face soft.
Keiran threw his arms around Jay's waist. "Ate Jay! Ate Jay! Percy said we're going shopping! We're going to get traditional clothes! We're going to get silk! We're going to get—"
Jay put her hand on his head. "Breathe, Keiran."
He breathed. He was still grinning. Keigan stood behind him. His face was cold. His eyes were on Jay. His voice was low.
"Hipag," Keigan said.
Jay looked at him. "Keigan."
He nodded. That was all. That was everything. Keifer stepped forward, his hand still on Jay's back.
"Ready?" Keifer asked.
Keiran nodded enthusiastically. Keigan gave a slight nod. Jay smiled. "Let's go."
---
The market was chaos.
Stalls lined the streets. Silk and gold. Red and blue. Green and yellow. The colors were bright. The air was thick. The noise was loud. Merchants called out in Kannada, in Hindi, in English. The family moved through the crowd like a wave.
Percy was in the front, his voice loud, his arms full of fabric. Honey was beside him, her face calm, her eyes sharp. Aries and Ella walked behind them, their hands intertwined. Lyra and Alex followed, Lyra's face blank, Alex's hand in hers. Care and Cole walked together, Care's eyes scanning the stalls, Cole's hand on her back. Rakki and Ci N were already arguing about colors. Mica and Calix were already arguing about prices. Freya and Erdix were watching the crowd. Grace and Denzel were carrying bags. Kuya Angelo and Ion were walking quietly. Tita Gemma was crying. Tita Rachel was holding her hand.
Keifer walked beside Jay, his hand in hers. Keiran was on Jay's other side, his hand in hers, his voice loud. Keigan walked behind them, his face cold, his eyes scanning. He was watching. He was protecting. He was always protecting.
"Ate Jay! Look at that! Ate Jay! Look at this! Ate Jay! Can we get that? Can we get this? Can we—"
Jay squeezed his hand. "Keiran."
He stopped. He was still grinning.
"You can get one thing," Jay said.
His eyes went wide. "One thing?"
"One thing."
He ran to a stall. Keigan followed. His face was cold. His eyes were watching. Keifer's hand tightened on Jay's.
"He's grown," Keifer said.
Jay looked at Keiran. At the boy who was becoming a man. At the sunshine of their family. "He has."
Keifer pulled her close. "He loves you."
She leaned against him. "I love him too."
---
The girls stopped at a silk stall.
The fabrics were piled high. Red and gold. Blue and silver. Green and bronze. Pink and rose. The colors were deep. The textures were soft. The prices were high.
Percy tried to follow. Honey grabbed his arm. "This is for the girls."
Percy's face fell. "But—"
Honey pointed to the men's section. "Go. Pick your outfits. Don't embarrass us."
Percy ran. The boys followed. Aries kissed Ella's cheek. Alex kissed Lyra's forehead. Cole kissed Care's hand. Ci N kissed Rakki's cheek. Calix kissed Mica's forehead. Erdix nodded at Freya. Denzel smiled at Grace. Ion kissed Kuya Angelo's cheek. Tita Rachel kissed Tita Gemma's forehead.
Keifer kissed Jay's forehead. His lips were warm. His hand was on her back. "Don't buy the whole market."
She smiled. "I won't."
He raised an eyebrow. "Percy will."
She laughed. "Percy will."
He walked toward the men's section. Keiran ran after him. Keigan followed. His face was cold. His eyes were on Jay until the last moment.
---
The girls stood in front of the stall.
The merchant was a small woman with bright eyes and quick hands. She looked at the group. At the Filipinas. At the women who had come for a wedding. At the women who had come for silk.
"Sarees," the merchant said. "You want sarees."
Ella stepped forward. Her face was calm. Her voice was soft. "Yes. For a wedding. Four weddings."
The merchant's eyes went wide. "Four weddings?"
Lyra's voice was low. "Four weddings."
The merchant looked at her. At her blank face. At her cold eyes. At her steady hands. "You are the bride?"
Lyra didn't answer. Alex was not there. She didn't know how to be a bride without him. She didn't know how to be soft. She didn't know how to be anything but what she was.
Care put her hand on Lyra's arm. "She's the bride."
The merchant smiled. "Then we find you something beautiful."
---
Jay stood at the back of the group. Her hands were in her pockets. Her face was calm. The twins were quiet. Keiran's voice was loud from the men's section. Keigan's silence was louder.
"You're not looking," Ella said.
Jay looked at her. "I'm looking."
Ella smiled. "You're watching."
Jay looked at the group. At Lyra standing stiffly while the merchant held up red silk. At Care laughing at something Rakki said. At Mica arguing with Calix through the phone. At Freya holding up a blue saree against Erdix's jacket. At Grace holding up a green saree against Denzel's shirt. At Tita Gemma crying. At Tita Rachel holding her hand.
"I'm watching," Jay said.
Ella took her hand. "Watch. But also look."
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Lyra. Red. Deep red. The color of blood. The color of roses. The color of brides. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Small mirrors caught the light.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the bride."
Lyra touched the fabric. Her fingers were light. Her face was blank. Her eyes were not.
"It's beautiful," Lyra said.
Care smiled. "You're beautiful."
Lyra looked at her. Her face was blank. Her eyes were wet. "I'm not—"
Care pulled her close. "You are."
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Care. Blue. Deep blue. The color of the sky at dusk. The color of the ocean. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Stars scattered across the silk.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the healer."
Care touched the fabric. Her hands were steady. Her face was soft. "It's perfect."
Cole's voice came from the men's section. "What did you get?"
Care laughed. "You'll see."
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Rakki. Orange. Bright orange. The color of fire. The color of sunset. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Flames licked the edges.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the warrior."
Rakki grinned. "I love it."
Ci N's voice came from the men's section. "You're going to burn something down in that."
Rakki's grin widened. "Probably."
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Mica. Green. Deep green. The color of forests. The color of money. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Numbers hidden in the pattern.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the scholar."
Mica touched the fabric. Her glasses were on her nose. Her face was focused. "The pattern is mathematically perfect."
Calix's voice came from the men's section. "Only you would notice that."
Mica smiled. "Only me."
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Ella. Pink. Soft pink. The color of cherry blossoms. The color of morning. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Flowers bloomed across the silk.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the heart."
Ella touched the fabric. Her hands were soft. Her face was warm. "It's lovely."
Aries's voice came from the men's section. "You're lovely."
Ella's face went red. The girls laughed.
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Freya. Black. Deep black. The color of night. The color of shadows. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Blades hidden in the pattern.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the protector."
Freya touched the fabric. Her face was sharp. Her eyes were soft. "It's perfect."
Erdix's voice came from the men's section. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Grace. Purple. Deep purple. The color of royalty. The color of bruises. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Fists hidden in the pattern.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the fighter."
Grace touched the fabric. Her knuckles were scarred. Her face was hard. Her eyes were soft. "I like it."
Denzel's voice came from the men's section. "You'll look like a queen."
Grace almost smiled. Almost.
---
The merchant brought out a saree for Tita Gemma. White. Pure white. The color of peace. The color of mothers. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Tears hidden in the pattern.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the matriarch."
Tita Gemma cried. Tita Rachel held her hand. "It's beautiful," Tita Gemma said. "It's beautiful."
---
The merchant turned to Jay. Her eyes were bright. Her hands were quick. "And for you? The mother of twins? The wife of the protector? The woman who killed men at the airport?"
Jay's face didn't change. "How do you know about that?"
The merchant smiled. "News travels. Even in India."
She brought out a saree. Gold. Deep gold. The color of sun. The color of temples. Red thread wove through the fabric. Small mirrors caught the light. The pattern was ancient. The pattern was new. The pattern was her.
"For you," the merchant said. "For the mother. For the protector. For the woman who will not break."
Jay touched the fabric. Her hands were steady. Her face was calm. The twins moved. Two small flutters. Two small lives.
"It's perfect," Jay said.
Keifer's voice came from the men's section. "What did you get?"
Jay smiled. "Something to match."
---
The men's section was chaos.
Percy was in the center, his arms full of fabric, his voice loud. "This one? Or this one? Or this one? Or—"
Honey's voice came from the girls' section. "Pick one."
Percy picked one. Then another. Then another. Honey was going to kill him. He didn't care.
Aries was beside him, holding a kurta the color of dawn. Pink and gold. Soft. Bright. Ella's favorite colors.
"She'll like it," Aries said.
Percy looked at them. "She'll love it."
---
Alex stood in front of a mirror. He was holding a kurta the color of blood. Red. Deep red. The color of Lyra's saree. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Small mirrors caught the light.
"It matches," Alex said.
Keifer was beside him. "It matches."
Alex looked at him. "Do you think she'll like it?"
Keifer smiled. "She'll love it."
---
Cole was holding a kurta the color of the sky. Blue. Deep blue. The color of Care's saree. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Stars scattered across the silk.
"She said it's perfect," Cole said.
Keifer nodded. "Then it's perfect."
---
Ci N was holding a kurta the color of fire. Orange. Bright orange. The color of Rakki's saree. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Flames licked the edges.
"She said she loves it," Ci N said.
Keifer smiled. "Then she loves it."
---
Calix was holding a kurta the color of forests. Green. Deep green. The color of Mica's saree. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Numbers hidden in the pattern.
"She said it's mathematically perfect," Calix said.
Keifer laughed. "Only Mica."
---
Erdix was holding a kurta the color of night. Black. Deep black. The color of Freya's saree. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Blades hidden in the pattern.
He didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
---
Denzel was holding a kurta the color of royalty. Purple. Deep purple. The color of Grace's saree. Gold thread wove through the fabric. Fists hidden in the pattern.
"She said I'll look like a queen," Denzel said.
Keifer smiled. "Then you'll look like a queen."
---
Ion was holding a kurta the color of peace. White. Pure white. The color of Tita Gemma's saree. Silver thread wove through the fabric. Tears hidden in the pattern.
"She cried," Ion said.
Kuya Angelo put his hand on Ion's shoulder. "She always cries."
---
Keiran ran through the men's section. His arms were full of fabric. His voice was loud. "Keigan! Keigan! Look at this! Look at this! Look at—"
Keigan stood in the corner. His arms were crossed. His face was cold. He was watching the girls' section. He was watching Jay.
"Keigan!" Keiran pulled his arm. "Look!"
Keigan looked. Keiran was holding a kurta the color of gold. Bright gold. The color of Jay's saree. Red thread wove through the fabric. Small mirrors caught the light.
"For Ate Jay," Keiran said. "To match."
Keigan's face didn't change. His eyes did. "She'll like it."
Keiran grinned. "She'll love it."
---
Keifer stood in the center of the men's section. His arms were empty. His face was calm. He was watching the girls' section. He was watching Jay.
She was holding a gold saree. Red thread. Small mirrors. The twins were moving. She was smiling.
"What did you get?" Percy asked.
Keifer didn't look at him. "Something to match."
Percy grinned. "You're going to match?"
Keifer smiled. "We're going to match."
---
The family gathered at the center of the market.
The sun was high. The air was hot. The bags were full. The girls had their sarees. The boys had their kurtas. Percy had fifteen outfits. Honey was going to kill him. He didn't care.
Jay stood in the center. Keifer was beside her. His hand was in hers. Keiran was on her other side, his hand in hers, his face bright. Keigan stood behind her. His arms were crossed. His face was cold. His eyes were watching.
"Did you get everything?" Jay asked.
Percy held up his bags. "Everything."
Honey grabbed his arm. "Too much."
Percy grinned. "Never enough."
---
Keiran tugged Jay's hand. "Ate Jay. Ate Jay. Did you see what I got? Did you see? I got a gold kurta. To match you. Keigan said you'd like it. Keigan said—"
Jay looked at Keigan. His face was cold. His eyes were soft. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to.
Jay pulled Keiran close. "I love it."
Keiran hugged her. His arms were tight. His face was bright. "I love you, Ate Jay."
She kissed his head. "I love you too."
Keifer put his hand on Keiran's shoulder. "Good choice."
Keiran grinned. Keigan's face didn't change. But his eyes were warm.
---
The sun was setting when they left the market.
The bags were full. The family was tired. The family was happy. Percy was still talking about elephants. Honey was holding his hand. Aries and Ella walked together. Lyra and Alex walked together. Care and Cole walked together. Rakki and Ci N walked together. Mica and Calix walked together. Freya and Erdix walked together. Grace and Denzel walked together. Kuya Angelo and Ion walked together. Tita Gemma and Tita Rachel walked together.
Keiran walked beside Jay, his hand in hers, his voice still loud. Keigan walked behind them, his face cold, his eyes watching. Keifer walked beside Jay, his hand on her back, his face soft.
"You're quiet," Keifer said.
Jay looked at him. "I'm thinking."
He pulled her close. "What are you thinking about?"
She looked at the family. At her sister. At her brother. At her friends. At her husband. At the twins growing inside her. At the boys who called her Ate. At the life she had built.
"I'm thinking about the garden," she said. "About the mud. About the Ferris wheel. About the contract. About the day you put the ring back on my finger."
He kissed her forehead. "I'm thinking about the day you took a bullet for me."
She touched his face. "I would do it again."
He kissed her hand. "I wouldn't let you."
She smiled. "You don't have a choice."
He laughed. "I never do."
Keiran tugged her hand. "Ate Jay! Ate Jay! Look at the sunset! Look at the colors! Look at—"
Jay looked at the sky. Red and gold. Orange and pink. The colors of their sarees. The colors of their kurtas. The colors of their family.
"It's beautiful," Jay said.
Keifer pulled her close. "It's beautiful."
She leaned against him. "We're in India."
He kissed her hair. "We're in India."
---
END OF CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE