Keifer's POV
I woke up before the sun had fully risen.
For a few seconds, I didn't move.
The room was quiet.
The curtains shifted slightly with the morning breeze, allowing thin strands of pale light to fall across the bed. Somewhere outside, Jaipur was slowly beginning another day.
But I wasn't looking at the window.
I was looking at Jay.
She was still asleep beside me.
At some point during the night, she had stolen my hoodie.
Again.
The oversized fabric rested loosely around her, the sleeves covering most of her hands. Her hair was scattered across the pillow, a few strands falling over her forehead.
My arm was wrapped around her waist.
Keeping her close.
Not because she would leave.
Not because I was afraid she would disappear the moment I loosened my hold.
Just because, after everything...
I still liked knowing she was there.
I moved carefully.
Slowly.
My fingers brushed the strands of hair away from her forehead.
She didn't wake.
Her breathing remained steady.
Peaceful.
And I just watched her.
There had been a time when I didn't know if I would ever get to see her sleep peacefully beside me again.
A time when I had believed I could protect her by keeping her away from me.
A time when I had made choices for her.
Terrible choices.
I had thought distance would save her.
I had thought the plan would protect everyone.
Instead, I had hurt her.
I had betrayed her trust.
And even after everything...
She had still stayed.
Not because she had forgotten.
Not because the past had suddenly become harmless.
She knew what I had done.
She knew what I had hidden.
She knew exactly how dangerous my connection to Kaizer had made her life.
And she still trusted me with her.
That thought had never stopped terrifying me.
Because trust wasn't something I had earned easily.
I had broken it once.
And Jay had every reason in the world to never give it back.
But somehow...
She had.
Even when Kaizer had been targeting her because of me.
Even when staying beside me meant putting herself directly in the path of danger.
Even when she knew that I was the reason the threat had reached her life in the first place.
She had stayed.
She had looked at me and chosen to stay.
Not blindly.
Not without fear.
She knew everything.
And still...
She had trusted me.
My fingers rested lightly against her waist.
Jay shifted in her sleep, moving closer automatically.
Her forehead brushed against my chest.
I went still for a moment.
Then I pulled her a little closer.
Carefully.
Gently.
I looked down at her.
"I know," I whispered, even though she couldn't hear me.
"I know what you gave me."
The trust.
The second chances.
The life she had allowed me back into.
Everything.
And now, finally, Kaizer was gone.
The threat that had hung over us for so long was gone.
There was no plan left to hide behind.
No enemy waiting in the shadows.
No reason to push her away in the name of protecting her.
No excuse.
Just us.
And I had spent too much of my life believing that protecting someone meant deciding everything for them.
I understood now.
It didn't.
Sometimes protecting someone meant standing beside them.
Telling them the truth.
Letting them choose.
And staying when the choice became difficult.
I looked at Jay again.
The woman who had survived my worst decisions.
The woman who had every reason to distrust me.
The woman who still slept with her head against my chest as though some part of her believed I would keep her safe.
I lowered my head slightly.
"I won't leave you again," I whispered.
The words were quiet.
But the promise wasn't.
"Not because I'm afraid of losing you."
My hand tightened gently around her waist.
"Because I choose you."
Jay stirred faintly.
I immediately stopped moving.
Her eyelashes fluttered, but she didn't wake fully.
Instead, she simply shifted closer.
Her hand curled loosely into the front of my shirt.
And I smiled.
A small, helpless smile.
The kind she would tease me for if she saw it.
I brushed my thumb once over her arm.
"Now that he's gone," I whispered, "you don't have to keep surviving because of me."
She remained asleep.
So I continued anyway.
"You don't have to keep wondering what's coming next."
The morning light slowly grew brighter.
"Whatever comes next..."
I looked down at her.
"I'm facing it with you."
For years, I had thought the end of the threat would feel like victory.
Like relief.
Like the final page of something terrible.
But lying there with Jay asleep beside me, wearing my hoodie and held close in my arms...
It didn't feel like an ending.
It felt like the first morning of a life that no longer had to be built around fear.
Jay finally opened her eyes slightly.
She blinked up at me.
"Why are you staring?"
I smiled.
"Good morning."
Her eyes narrowed sleepily.
"That wasn't an answer."
"You were sleeping."
"That still doesn't explain the staring."
I brushed another strand of hair away from her face.
"Just thinking."
"That's dangerous."
I laughed softly.
She shifted closer, still half-asleep.
"What were you thinking about?"
I looked at her for a moment.
Then I pulled her gently against me.
"That I love you."
She went quiet.
Even half-asleep, she still managed to look flustered.
"Keifer..."
I smiled against her hair.
"And that you're wearing my hoodie again."
She immediately looked down.
Then back at me.
"I was cold."
"Of course."
"Don't start."
"I haven't started anything."
"You were about to."
"Maybe."
She narrowed her eyes.
But she didn't move away.
Instead, she rested her head against my chest again.
And I wrapped my arm around her.
The morning continued outside.
The city woke.
The world moved.
But for a little longer, we stayed exactly where we were.
Together.
No secrets.
No plans.
No Kaizer.
No fear waiting behind the next door.
Just Jay in my arms.
And the promise I had finally learned how to keep.
I would be there.
This time, I wouldn't disappear.
This time, I wouldn't decide that leaving her was the same as saving her.
This time...
I would stay.
By the time Jay and I finally made it downstairs, the house was already awake.
And loud.
Very loud.
I had barely reached the last step when Keiren turned around from the sofa.
"Ate Jay! Ate Keifer!"
Jay blinked. "Why are you shouting?"
"Because you were late!"
I looked at him. "We woke up less than an hour ago."
"That is late."
Jay glanced at me.
I shrugged.
Apparently, we were already being judged by a fourteen-year-old before breakfast.
The living room was filled with everyone preparing for the day. Bags were being checked, sunglasses were being searched for, phones were being charged, and Percy was loudly claiming that someone had stolen his cap.
"You left it on the dining table," Honey said.
Percy turned around.
His cap was on the dining table.
He stared at it for several seconds.
"I knew that."
"No, you didn't," Honey replied.
Eces stood near the entrance, already organized and ready. Krish was beside her, checking the day's route on his phone.
"Today," Eces announced, "we're visiting Hawa Mahal, Birla Mandir, Jal Mahal, and Tripolia Bazaar."
Keiren immediately raised his hand.
"Will there be food?"
"There will be food," Eces replied.
His hand dropped.
"Then I'm ready."
Jay walked toward us, still wearing a comfortable outfit and carrying a small bag. The moment I saw her, I smiled.
She noticed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're smiling."
"I'm allowed to smile."
"Not at me like that."
"Like what?"
She narrowed her eyes.
I leaned slightly closer.
"Like my wife."
Her eyes widened.
"Keifer."
I laughed quietly as she walked ahead before I could say anything else.
The first stop was Hawa Mahal.
The pink sandstone façade rose beautifully against the bright Jaipur sky, its many windows creating a pattern that looked almost delicate despite the enormous structure. Everyone immediately began taking pictures.
Percy posed dramatically.
Honey took one look at him and walked away.
"Don't leave me!" he called.
"I'm protecting my reputation!"
Aries and Ella were taking pictures together while Blaster attempted to photograph the entire group and somehow managed to cut off half the people in every picture.
"Why is my head missing?" Drew asked.
"Artistic choice," Blaster replied.
"It was not."
Jay stood near one of the viewpoints, looking up at the architecture.
I moved beside her.
"Beautiful?"
She nodded. "Very."
I looked at her.
She immediately turned.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were going to."
"I was only going to say that I agree."
"Liar."
"Maybe."
She smiled despite herself.
Later, at Birla Mandir, the atmosphere changed completely.
The white marble temple felt peaceful. The noise of the city seemed to soften around it. Even Section E became quieter for a while.
Keiren and Ci-n sat together after exploring the temple grounds, eating ice gola and arguing over whose flavor was better.
"Mine is superior," Keiren declared.
Ci-n looked at his red-stained tongue.
"You said that last time."
"And I was right last time too."
Jay laughed.
I looked at her.
She was smiling at them, completely relaxed.
There was something about seeing her like that that made me pause.
No danger.
No running.
No old threats.
Just a normal day.
A day filled with temples, food, sunlight, and arguments over ice gola.
I reached for her hand.
She looked down at our joined fingers.
Then at me.
"Happy?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
I glanced around.
"Because you're here."
She softened slightly.
Then she squeezed my hand.
By the time we reached Jal Mahal, the afternoon had become warmer.
The palace stood surrounded by water, appearing almost dreamlike beneath the sunlight. Everyone immediately spread out along the viewing area.
Grace stayed with Denzel and Grazel, who was bundled comfortably and sleeping through most of the sightseeing.
Eces and Krish stood a little farther away, quietly observing the palace.
Keigan was nearby.
Not too close.
Not too far.
But I noticed the way his eyes occasionally moved toward Eces.
And I noticed Eces noticed too.
She didn't say anything.
Neither did he.
Some things were developing slowly.
And, for once, no one seemed determined to rush them.
Jay and I walked along the promenade.
She stopped to look toward the palace.
"This is beautiful."
"It is."
She glanced at me.
I looked at her.
She sighed.
"Keifer."
"I said nothing."
"You were thinking loudly."
Before I could answer, someone approached us.
A tourist.
Probably around our age or a little older.
He looked at Jay politely at first.
"Excuse me?"
Jay turned.
"Yes?"
"Are you also a tourist here?"
Jay nodded. "Yes."
He smiled.
"I thought so. I saw you earlier too. You have a really beautiful presence."
Jay blinked slightly.
"Oh. Thank you."
"You're welcome. You have a very charming smile too."
I was standing beside her.
Listening.
Quietly.
The boy continued.
"Are you traveling with friends?"
"Yes."
He glanced around.
"And... would it be okay if I got your number?"
Jay politely shook her head.
"Sorry, no."
The boy seemed slightly surprised.
"Oh. Okay."
Jay smiled politely again.
"No problem."
He nodded.
But then, as if he was about to say something else, his hand moved toward her wrist.
I stepped forward immediately.
My arm went around Jay's waist.
Pulling her gently but unmistakably against my side.
The boy stopped.
Jay turned toward me.
I looked at her first.
"Do you need anything, Wifey?"
The word landed perfectly.
Jay's eyes widened.
The tourist's expression changed instantly.
I didn't look at him.
I kept my arm around Jay.
She stared at me.
"Wifey?"
I smiled.
"What?"
Her cheeks began turning pink.
The tourist suddenly looked very interested in the palace.
"Oh."
I finally looked at him.
"Were you asking her something?"
"No. No, it's fine."
"Good."
Jay elbowed me lightly.
I glanced down at her.
"What?"
"You're jealous."
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are."
"I was being helpful."
"You called me wifey."
"Accurately."
She stared at me.
I leaned closer.
"Also, you said no."
"I did."
"Then he should have stopped."
Her expression softened slightly.
"I know."
I looked at her for another second.
Then, before she could say anything else, I stole a quick kiss from her lips.
Just a brief peck.
Quick enough to leave her frozen.
I pulled back.
She stared at me.
"Keifer!"
I grinned.
"What?"
"You—"
I pointed toward the ice gola stall.
"Keiren and Ci-n are waiting."
"They are not the problem!"
"I think they are."
She looked completely flustered.
I walked away before she could hit me.
Behind me, she hurried after me.
"You can't just do that!"
"I just did."
"You're impossible!"
"I've been told."
Keiren immediately looked up when Jay arrived.
"Ate Jay, why are you red?"
"It's hot."
Ci-n looked at her.
"Your ears are red too."
"It's very hot."
Keiren looked at me.
I calmly ordered an ice gola.
Jay glared at me.
I smiled.
She turned away and joined Keiren and Ci-n, pretending I wasn't there.
It lasted approximately thirty seconds.
Then she reached over and stole a bite of Keiren's ice gola.
"Ate!"
"You were eating too slowly."
"That was mine!"
Ci-n immediately moved his cup away from her.
"Don't steal mine."
Jay laughed.
I stood beside them, watching her argue with two teenagers over ice gola.
And somehow, the jealousy disappeared.
Because the boy at Jal Mahal was already forgotten.
Jay was here.
With me.
With all of us.
And she was laughing.
The final stop was Tripolia Bazaar.
That was where the real chaos began.
Colorful textiles, jewelry, handicrafts, bangles, souvenirs, decorations, and endless stalls filled the market.
Honey disappeared toward the jewelry section.
Percy followed her immediately.
"I am only looking."
"You said that last time."
"I was also only looking last time."
Five minutes later, he was carrying three shopping bags.
Eces inspected a few items while Krish stood beside her, patiently holding the bags she had already bought.
Keigan quietly took one from Krish.
Krish looked at him.
Keigan shrugged.
"I can carry one."
Krish handed it over.
Eces noticed.
She said nothing.
But the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
Jay and I walked behind them.
She leaned toward me.
"Did you see that?"
"Yes."
"You're observing too."
"I always observe."
She smiled.
At one stall, Jay stopped to look at a collection of traditional jewelry.
She didn't say anything.
She just looked.
I noticed.
Of course I did.
A few minutes later, when she turned around, I handed her a small box.
She stared at it.
"What is this?"
"Open it."
Inside was a delicate piece of jewelry.
Her expression changed.
"Keifer."
"You liked it."
"I was just looking."
"I know."
She looked at me.
"You bought it?"
"Apparently."
She smiled softly.
Then she reached up and hugged me.
Just briefly.
But enough.
I wrapped my arms around her.
"Thank you," she murmured.
"Anytime."
Behind us, Keiren loudly announced, "Ate Jay is hugging Kuya!"
Jay immediately pulled away.
I laughed.
By the time the sky began darkening, everyone was exhausted.
Shopping bags had multiplied.
Feet hurt.
Everyone had eaten something.
Someone had lost a scarf and found it again.
Percy had bought things he claimed he didn't need.
Honey had bought even more.
And Keiren was still somehow hungry.
We finally began walking back toward the cars.
Jay slipped her hand into mine.
I looked down.
She looked at me.
"Don't say anything."
"I wasn't going to."
"You were."
"Maybe."
She shook her head.
But she didn't let go.
The day had started with a quiet morning beside her.
And ended with crowded streets, temple bells, ice gola, shopping bags, jealousy, laughter, and her hand in mine.
Jaipur had given us another day.
And somehow, the simplest days were beginning to feel like the ones I wanted to remember forever.
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