Keifer's POV
The parking lot slowly emptied as engines started one by one.
We didn't all head to the same place.
Everyone had their own routes home.
Different streets.
Different drop-offs.
Same destination in the end — India.
My Car
Me driving.
Jay beside me, scrolling through the group chat.
Keiren in the back, half leaning over the seat.
Eces by the window.
Keigan quiet beside her.
As we pulled out of the mall parking lot, I watched the other cars split off one by one.
Percy's Car
Percy drove first, obviously.
Honey sat in front, keeping him from speeding.
Felix and Blaster in the back.
They dropped Felix first.
Then Blaster.
Honey would be last.
Percy sent a message:
Percy:
Dropping my children home safely.
Honey replied immediately:
Honey:
You're not their father.
Aries' Car
Aries dropped Calix and Mica at their lanes first.
I could already imagine Mica waving dramatically before entering her house.
Ella would be last.
Aries probably wouldn't leave immediately.
He never does.
David's Car
David drove calmly.
Grace and Grazel were dropped first — Denzel walking them to the door.
Then Rory.
Then Drew.
Simple.
Peaceful.
Yuri's Car
Yuri had Ci-n, Rakki, Kit, and Mayo.
That car probably didn't have a silent second.
Each one dropped at their gates, still talking through open windows.
Ci-n probably shouting "INDIAAAA" before the car moved again.
Edrix's Car
Edrix dropped Eman, Eren, and Josh one by one.
Freya last.
I could imagine them talking softly about temples and architecture before she stepped out.
Back to My Car
The roads got quieter the further we drove.
City lights blurred past.
Keiren had finally stopped talking and was looking out the window.
"Kuya," he said softly, "India feels big."
"It is," Eces answered.
Keigan glanced at her. "You miss it?"
She didn't answer immediately.
"…Sometimes."
Jay turned slightly in her seat.
"You haven't been back in a long time."
"No," Eces said quietly.
Silence settled for a moment.
Not awkward.
Just heavy with thoughts.
I adjusted the mirror slightly, catching Eces' reflection.
She wasn't nervous.
But she wasn't completely at ease either.
Whatever was waiting there…
It wasn't small.
We reached home first.
I parked.
Keiren jumped out immediately, carrying two shopping bags like trophies.
Jay stepped out, stretching.
Keigan followed quietly.
Eces stepped out last.
For a second, she looked up at the night sky.
Like she was already somewhere else.
I walked around the car and stood beside her.
"Second thoughts?" I asked softly.
She shook her head.
"No."
"Good."
She looked at me briefly.
"You're all coming with me."
"Of course we are."
Not a question.
Not a favor.
A fact.
Inside the house, lights flicked on one by one.
Our home.
Warm.
Loud.
Safe.
And in a few days…
We'd be stepping into hers.
We didn't go to our rooms.
Not immediately.
After changing into comfortable clothes, we all somehow drifted into the living room again. No one said it out loud, but none of us were ready to end the day yet.
The shopping bags were piled near the corner.
The lights were dim.
The TV was on, but muted — just soft background movement.
Keiren sprawled across the carpet first, still talking.
"Kuya… do you think Goddess Kali would like chocolate?"
Eces, sitting on the floor with her back against the couch, replied calmly, "I don't think she needs it."
Keigan smirked faintly. "You're offering gods chocolate now?"
Keiren shrugged. "It's polite."
Jay laughed softly beside me.
I sat on the couch, one arm resting behind her. She leaned into me naturally, like she always does.
The conversation drifted lazily.
About India.
About flight timings.
About who would sit where.
About whether Percy would survive spicy food.
Keiren kept asking questions — smaller now, slower.
"Eces… will your house have a balcony?"
"Yes."
"Big one?"
"Yes."
"Can we sit there at night?"
"If you don't fall asleep first."
He made a dramatic offended sound.
Five minutes later—
He was asleep.
Curled on the carpet, one arm under his head, breathing slow and steady.
I smiled.
"He crashes like a phone at 1%," Jay whispered.
Eces was still sitting on the floor, knees pulled slightly close. Quiet.
Keigan watched her.
"You tired?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted.
"Come up here," Jay said gently, patting the couch.
Eces hesitated for a second before shifting up. She didn't sit too close, but she didn't sit far either.
The room felt warmer.
Softer.
Safer.
The conversations slowed.
Keigan's replies became shorter.
Eces' eyes started closing between sentences.
She fought it for a moment — stubborn as always.
Then her head tilted slightly back against the couch.
Asleep.
Keigan noticed first.
He adjusted the small cushion behind her head without waking her.
Then he leaned back too.
And within minutes—
He was asleep as well.
That left just me and Jay.
The house was silent except for quiet breathing.
Jay looked at me.
"They're growing," she whispered.
"Hmm."
"She trusts us."
I nodded.
"She trusts you," Jay corrected softly.
I looked at Eces for a moment.
Then at Keigan.
Then at Keiren on the floor.
"They're not alone," I said quietly.
Jay's hand slipped into mine.
"You're a good kuya," she murmured.
That word again.
It did something to me every time.
I brushed my thumb over her knuckles.
"And you," I said softly, "are the heart of this house."
She didn't argue.
She just smiled — that small, tired, beautiful smile.
The room felt still.
Peaceful.
Jay shifted closer, resting her head on my shoulder.
Her breathing slowed gradually.
I looked down at her.
Her lashes resting against her cheeks.
Her hand still loosely holding mine.
I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Goodnight," I whispered.
She didn't answer.
She was already asleep.
I adjusted slightly so she'd be more comfortable, careful not to wake anyone.
Keiren on the floor.
Eces and Keigan on the couch across from us.
Jay against me.
My family.
The house felt full.
And for the first time in a long while—
It felt completely steady.
I rested my head lightly against Jay's.
Closed my eyes.
And let sleep take me too.
Jay's POV
I was pouring coffee into cups when I heard it.
A groan.
A dramatic, suffering groan.
I didn't even need to turn to know who it was.
Keiren.
He shifted on the floor, stretching like the world had personally wronged him. His hair was everywhere, his blanket barely covering him, and his face scrunched in sleepy confusion.
He blinked slowly, looking around.
Then his eyes landed on me.
"Ate…" he mumbled, voice thick with sleep. "Why am I on the floor? Did I get disowned?"
I bit my lip to stop my laugh.
"No," I said. "You fell asleep there."
He looked offended.
"You let me sleep on the floor?"
Before I could answer, his eyes widened suddenly.
"INDIA."
He sat up instantly like someone had pressed a switch.
Oh no.
I knew that look.
Questions were coming.
And I wasn't the target.
He turned dramatically toward Eces, who was still asleep on the couch, her head tilted slightly.
He crawled toward her.
"Eces," he whispered loudly.
No response.
He poked her arm.
"Eces."
She stirred slightly.
He poked again.
"Eces."
She frowned in her sleep.
He poked harder.
"ECES."
Her eyes snapped open instantly, sharp and alert.
"What?" she said flatly.
He grinned.
"Good morning."
She stared at him.
Unamused.
He ignored the warning in her eyes.
"So," he started, already excited, "in India, do they really have temples everywhere? And cows on roads? And do we have to wake up early? And how many gods are there again? And—"
"Keiren."
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
He paused.
"Yes?"
She slowly sat up, her eyes locking onto his.
"You know," she said softly, "we have exams next week."
He froze.
I watched the exact moment his soul left his body.
"And," she continued, voice becoming slightly more dramatic, "if you don't score good marks…"
She leaned closer.
"I'm not taking you to India."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Keiren blinked.
Once.
Twice.
"Ate," he whispered, horrified, "she's threatening me."
I bit my lip hard to stop laughing.
She crossed her arms.
"I'm serious."
He looked at Keigan, who was now awake and watching the scene with quiet amusement.
"Say something," Keiren whispered desperately.
Keigan shrugged. "She's right."
Traitor.
Keiren slowly turned back to Eces.
"You wouldn't do that," he said weakly.
She raised one eyebrow.
He gasped.
"You WOULD."
He stood up immediately.
"I'm studying today."
He pointed at everyone.
"No one disturb me."
He pointed at me specifically.
"Ate, hide my phone."
He pointed at Keifer.
"And Kuya, if I try to escape, stop me."
Keifer smirked behind me.
"Gladly."
Keiren ran his hands through his hair dramatically.
"My future is on the line."
He started pacing.
"I can't be left behind."
I couldn't hold it anymore.
I laughed.
And suddenly, the air shifted.
The reality hit all of us.
Exams.
Next week.
Not just Keiren.
All of us.
Even Keifer grew quieter beside me.
India was waiting.
But first—
We had to survive this.
Keigan leaned back into the couch, exhaling slowly.
"Vacation feels close," he said.
Eces stared ahead quietly.
"It is."
Keiren stopped pacing.
"I will top," he declared dramatically.
We all looked at him.
He nodded firmly.
"I will top and then go to India with full respect."
Keifer leaned down slightly toward me and whispered,
"He won't survive two chapters."
I elbowed him softly.
But inside…
I felt it too.
Pressure.
Expectation.
And something else.
India wasn't just a trip for Eces.
It was something more.
I looked at her.
She was quiet again.
Distant.
Holding something inside she hadn't told us yet.
And somehow…
I knew.
Everything was going to change very soon.
++++++++++++++
Before the trip , their exams are also waiting.
And my camp too and guess what I got to know that phones are restricted this time 😔 😔 😭 😭...
I don't even know if I will be able to upload so that's why I am uploading 5 chapters now and if I will be allowed to use phone I will upload in the next days too .....