MARRY YOUR KILLER
Chapter Ninety-Two: The Bangles
---
The morning came pink and gold.
The sun rose over the palace gardens, painting the fountains in shades of rose and amber. The flowers were fresh. Marigolds. Roses. Jasmine. The air was sweet. The birds were singing. The palace was awake.
Percy was in the garden before the sun. He had been waiting for this day for weeks. The second ceremony. The bangles. The glass. The colors.
Honey found him sitting on a bench, his hands in his lap, his face turned toward the sky.
"You're up early," Honey said.
Percy looked at her. "I couldn't sleep."
She sat beside him. "Nervous?"
He shook his head. "Excited."
She took his hand. "The bangles are for the brides."
Percy smiled. "I know. I'm excited for them."
Honey kissed his cheek. "You're sweet."
He pulled her close. "I'm yours."
---
The ceremony was in the courtyard.
The walls were white. The floor was marble. The fountain was blue. The chairs were gold. The brides sat in the center, their hands in their laps, their faces turned toward the morning sun. Lyra in deep maroon silk, the color of aged wine, gold thread weaving through the fabric like veins of light. Care in teal, the color of the ocean at dawn, silver embroidery catching the sun like waves. Rakki in burnt orange, fierce and bright, copper details flickering like flames. Mica in forest green, deep and mysterious, bronze patterns hidden in the folds.
The women gathered around them. Jay in soft lavender, delicate and calm, the color of the sky before the sun rises. Ella in coral, warm and gentle, like the first blush of morning. Freya in charcoal gray, sharp and elegant, silver threads running through like lightning. Grace in deep plum, strong and royal, gold accents bold against the dark. Tita Gemma in cream, soft and timeless, pearls sewn into the hem. Tita Rachel in pale gold, warm and steady, like the sun on a winter morning. Honey in ivory, pure and bright, delicate flowers embroidered along the edges.
They carried trays. The trays were silver. The bangles were glass. Each bride had her own colors. Each color had its own meaning. The priest spoke. His voice was ancient. His words were soft.
"The bangles are not just glass. They are promises. Each color is a vow. Each bangle is a prayer. The bride will wear them for forty days. She will sleep in them. She will eat in them. She will dream in them. And when the wedding comes, she will carry the prayers of all the women who came before her."
---
Lyra sat in the center. Her saree was deep maroon, the color of aged wine, gold thread weaving through the fabric like veins of light. Her hands were in her lap. Her face was blank. Her eyes were on the bangles. Maroon and gold. The color of her saree. The color of Alex's kurta.
Jay knelt beside her. Her lavender saree pooled around her like morning mist. The tray was in her hands. The bangles were maroon and gold.
"These are for you," Jay said.
Lyra looked at her. "I don't know how to be a bride."
Jay smiled. "You don't have to know. You just have to be here."
Lyra's hands were shaking. Jay took them. Her fingers were warm.
"I'm scared," Lyra whispered.
Jay squeezed her hands. "I know."
She slid the first bangle onto Lyra's wrist. Maroon. The color of earth. The color of roots. The color of the woman who had died and come back to life. The color of the woman who had found her home.
"Strength," Jay said.
Lyra's eyes were wet.
Jay slid the second bangle onto Lyra's wrist. Gold. The color of sun. The color of Alex's eyes when he looked at her. The color of the ring on her finger. The color of forever.
"Love," Jay said.
Lyra's hands were steady.
---
Care sat beside Lyra. Her saree was teal, the color of the ocean at dawn, silver embroidery catching the light like waves. Her hands were in her lap. Her face was soft. Her eyes were on the bangles. Teal and silver. The color of her saree. The color of Cole's kurta.
Ella knelt beside her. Her coral saree was warm and bright. The tray was in her hands. The bangles were teal and silver.
"These are for you," Ella said.
Care looked at her. "I never thought I would have a sister."
Ella smiled. "You have me."
Care's eyes were wet. Ella took her hands.
"I was running my whole life," Care said.
Ella squeezed her hands. "You're not running now."
She slid the first bangle onto Care's wrist. Teal. The color of healing. The color of calm. The color of the ocean that never stops moving. The color of the woman who finally stopped running.
"Healing," Ella said.
Care's hands were steady.
Ella slid the second bangle onto Care's wrist. Silver. The color of moonlight. The color of hope. The color of the stars that guided her home. The color of Cole's eyes when he looked at her.
"Hope," Ella said.
Care smiled. Her hands were steady.
---
Rakki sat beside Care. Her saree was burnt orange, fierce and bright, copper details flickering like flames. Her hands were in her lap. Her face was bright. Her eyes were on the bangles. Orange and copper. The color of her saree. The color of Ci N's kurta.
Freya knelt beside her. Her charcoal gray saree was sharp and elegant. The tray was in her hands. The bangles were orange and copper.
"These are for you," Freya said.
Rakki grinned. "I've been waiting for this."
Freya almost smiled. "I know."
She slid the first bangle onto Rakki's wrist. Orange. The color of fire. The color of the sun at noon. The color of the woman who would burn down the world for the people she loved.
"Fire," Freya said.
Rakki's grin softened.
Freya slid the second bangle onto Rakki's wrist. Copper. The color of strength. The color of metal forged in flame. The color of the woman who never bent, never broke, never gave up.
"Strength," Freya said.
Rakki touched the bangles. Her eyes were bright. "I'm keeping these forever."
Freya almost smiled. "I know."
---
Mica sat beside Rakki. Her saree was forest green, deep and mysterious, bronze patterns hidden in the folds. Her hands were in her lap. Her face was focused. Her eyes were on the bangles. Green and bronze. The color of her saree. The color of Calix's kurta.
Grace knelt beside her. Her deep plum saree was strong and royal. The tray was in her hands. The bangles were green and bronze.
"These are for you," Grace said.
Mica looked at her. "The green is for growth. The bronze is for endurance. The combination creates a Fibonacci sequence in the pattern of the glass."
Grace stared at her. "You're analyzing the bangles?"
Mica adjusted her glasses. "I'm appreciating them."
Grace almost smiled. "Same thing."
She slid the first bangle onto Mica's wrist. Green. The color of growth. The color of the forest that never stops reaching for the sun. The color of the woman who never stopped learning.
"Growth," Grace said.
Mica nodded. "Acceptable."
Grace slid the second bangle onto Mica's wrist. Bronze. The color of endurance. The color of metal that weathers storms. The color of the woman who had survived everything.
"Endurance," Grace said.
Mica touched the bangles. "They're mathematically perfect."
Grace smiled. "Only you would say that."
---
Percy stood at the edge of the courtyard. His kurta was cream, his dhoti was gold. His arms were crossed. His face was soft.
Aries stood beside him. Their kurta was pale pink, delicate and bright. Their hands were in their pockets.
"They look beautiful," Percy said.
Aries looked at the brides. At Lyra in maroon and gold. At Care in teal and silver. At Rakki in orange and copper. At Mica in green and bronze.
"They do," Aries said.
Percy put his arm around Aries. "I'm going to cry."
Aries smiled. "You always cry."
Percy's eyes were wet. "I know."
---
The ceremony ended. The bangles were on the brides' wrists. Maroon and gold. Teal and silver. Orange and copper. Green and bronze. The colors caught the sun. The colors caught the light. The colors caught the eyes of the grooms who stood at the edge of the courtyard.
Alex in deep maroon. Cole in teal. Ci N in burnt orange. Calix in forest green. Their eyes were on their brides. Their hearts were full.
Jay stood at the edge of the courtyard. Her lavender saree was soft in the morning light. Keifer was beside her. His kurta was deep gold, the color of her bangles, the color of his eyes. Keiran was on her other side, his hand in hers. His kurta was the same gold as Keifer's, bright and warm. Keigan stood behind them, his arms crossed, his face cold. His kurta was gold too, darker, steadier, like the earth beneath the sun.
"You're staring," Keifer said.
Jay looked at him. "I'm observing."
He smiled. "Same thing."
She leaned against him. "They're happy."
He pulled her close. "They're happy."
---
The sun was high. The morning was warm. The family moved to the dining hall. The tables were long. The food was South Indian. The coffee was strong. The tea was sweet.
Jay stood at the edge of the hall. Her head was spinning. The room was too bright. The noise was too loud. The colors were too sharp. She put her hand on the wall. Her knees were weak. The twins were moving. The twins were pressing. The twins were too much.
"Jay?" Keifer's voice was far away.
She tried to answer. Her mouth wouldn't move. Her eyes wouldn't focus. The floor was coming up. The ceiling was coming down. The world was going dark.
She fell.
---
Keifer caught her before she hit the ground. His arms were around her. His face was white. His voice was loud.
"JAY! JAY!"
The family turned. Percy ran. Aries ran. Care ran. Lyra ran. The room was chaos. The chairs were scraping. The voices were rising. The hands were reaching.
Care dropped to her knees beside Jay. Her hands were on Jay's face. Her voice was steady. "She's breathing. Her pulse is steady. She's fainted. It's the heat. It's the twins. She needs water. She needs rest. She needs—"
Keifer lifted Jay into his arms. Her lavender saree was soft against his gold kurta. Her face was pale. Her eyes were closed. The twins were quiet.
"I've got her," Keifer said.
He carried her out of the hall.
---
Percy stood in the middle of the dining hall. His face was pale. His hands were shaking. Aries was beside him. Their face was pale too.
"She fainted," Percy said. "Jay fainted."
Aries took his hand. "She's okay. Care said she's okay."
Percy's voice was loud. "SHE FAINTED!"
Aries squeezed his hand. "She's pregnant. With twins. In the heat. She's okay."
Percy pulled his hand away. His voice was louder. "SHE FAINTED AND YOU'RE TELLING ME SHE'S OKAY? SHE FAINTED! MY SISTER FAINTED! MY SISTER IS PREGNANT WITH TWINS AND SHE FAINTED AND—"
Kuya Angelo's voice cut through the noise. "Percy."
Percy stopped. His mouth was open. His hands were fists. His face was red.
Kuya Angelo walked to him. His face was calm. His eyes were steady. His voice was low.
"Your sister is fine. Your sister is strong. Your sister has a husband who caught her before she hit the ground. Your sister has a doctor who checked her pulse and said she was fine. Your sister has a family who loves her. And your sister does not need you screaming in the middle of a dining hall while she is resting."
Percy's mouth closed. His hands opened. His face went from red to white to something that was not quite either.
"Now," Kuya Angelo said. "Sit down. Drink some water. Eat some food. And let your sister rest."
Percy sat. Aries sat beside him. Their hand was in his. Their face was calm. Their eyes were soft.
"Told you," Aries whispered.
Percy's face was wet. "Shut up."
Aries almost smiled. "Never."
---
Jay opened her eyes.
The ceiling was white. The walls were cream. The light was soft. The air was cool. She was in their room. She was on the bed. Her saree was still on. Her bangles were still on. Her head was in Keifer's lap. His hand was in her hair. His face was above hers.
"You're awake," Keifer said.
She looked at him. "I fainted."
He smiled. It was small. Tired. Real. "You fainted."
She touched his face. "I scared you."
He kissed her hand. "You scared everyone."
She tried to sit up. His hand was on her shoulder. "Don't. Rest."
She lay back. Her head was in his lap. His hand was in her hair. The twins were moving. Soft flutters. Small kicks.
"Are they okay?" Jay asked.
Keifer put his hand on her stomach. "They're moving."
She smiled. "They're moving."
He leaned down. His face was close to hers. "Don't do that again."
She laughed. "I can't control it."
He kissed her forehead. "Try."
She pulled him closer. "I'll try."
---
The door opened. Percy stood in the doorway. His face was pale. His hands were empty. Aries was behind him. Their face was pale too.
"Jay," Percy said. His voice was low. "Are you okay?"
Jay smiled. "I'm okay."
Percy walked to the bed. He sat on the edge. His hand was on her arm. "You fainted. You fainted and I screamed and Kuya Angelo yelled at me and—"
Jay took his hand. "I'm okay."
Percy's face was wet. "You scared me."
She squeezed his hand. "I scared myself."
Aries stood behind Percy. Their hand was on his shoulder. "She's okay."
Percy nodded. His face was still wet. "She's okay."
---
The door opened again. Lyra stood in the doorway. Her face was blank. Her hands were empty. Her bangles were maroon and gold on her wrists. Alex was behind her. His hand was in hers.
"You're awake," Lyra said.
Jay looked at her. "I'm awake."
Lyra walked to the bed. She sat on the other side. Her hand was on Jay's arm. "Don't do that again."
Jay smiled. "I'll try."
Lyra's face was blank. Her eyes were not. "I can't lose you. Not again."
Jay took her hand. "You won't."
---
Care stood in the doorway. Her face was calm. Her hands were steady. Her bangles were teal and silver on her wrists. Cole was behind her. His hand was on her back.
"She needs rest," Care said. "She needs water. She needs food. She needs to not be in the heat. She needs—"
Jay laughed. "I need my sister to stop mothering me."
Care's face was calm. Her eyes were not. "You fainted."
Jay pulled her close. "I'm okay."
Care held her. "You're okay."
---
The room was full. Percy and Aries on one side. Lyra and Alex on the other. Care and Cole by the door. Rakki and Ci N in the corner. Mica and Calix by the window. Freya and Erdix in the hallway. Grace and Denzel behind them. Kuya Angelo and Ion at the door. Tita Gemma and Tita Rachel holding hands. Keiran at the foot of the bed, his face pale, his hands gripping the frame. Keigan beside him, his face cold, his eyes on Jay.
Keiran climbed onto the bed. His arms were around Jay. His face was in her hair. "Ate Jay. Ate Jay. You scared me."
Jay held him. "I'm okay."
He pulled back. His face was wet. "Promise?"
She touched his face. "Promise."
Keigan stood at the foot of the bed. His arms were crossed. His face was cold. His eyes were not.
"Hipag," Keigan said.
Jay looked at him. "Keigan."
He nodded. That was all. That was everything.
---
The family left. One by one. Percy and Aries. Lyra and Alex. Care and Cole. Rakki and Ci N. Mica and Calix. Freya and Erdix. Grace and Denzel. Kuya Angelo and Ion. Tita Gemma and Tita Rachel. Keiran and Keigan.
Jay lay on the bed. Keifer was beside her. His hand was in hers. Her head was on his chest. His heart was beating beneath her ear.
"You're thinking," he said.
She looked at him. "I'm always thinking."
He kissed her hair. "What are you thinking about?"
She looked at the window. At the garden. At the fountains. At the place where her family was waiting. At the place where her family was loving her.
"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 pulled her close. "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."
The twins moved. Two small flutters. Two small lives. Two small hearts.
Keifer put his hand on her stomach. "They're awake."
Jay smiled. "They're always awake."
He kissed her stomach. "Sleep," he said. "Your mother needs to rest."
The twins kicked. Two small protests. Two small demands. Two small voices.
Jay laughed. "They're stubborn."
Keifer smiled. "Like their mother."
She pulled him close. "Like their father."
He kissed her. "I love you."
She kissed him back. "I love you too."
---
END OF CHAPTER NINETY-TWO