Keifer's POV
By the time we started walking back, the marble glow of Birla Mandir still lingered in my mind.
But the warmth of Jay's hand in mine lingered more.
Kolkata at night felt softer. The traffic had thinned, streetlights stretched gold across the pavement, and the air carried a faint mix of incense and late-night food stalls. We were all tired — the good kind of tired — the kind that comes after a full day.
And somehow, despite the crowd of us walking together, Jay's fingers intertwined with mine made everything feel quieter.
Section E lasted exactly forty seconds before the noise began again.
"I swear we walked at least fifteen kilometers," Percy announced dramatically.
"It was not fifteen," Grace replied, adjusting little Grazel on her hip. "You barely survived five."
Honey — very much dramatic and very much a girl who lived for chaos — tossed her hair back. "Emotionally, Percy walked thirty."
"Thank you," Percy said, placing a hand on his chest.
Keigan scoffed. "You guys complain too much."
Two steps later he stretched his legs stiffly. "Okay… maybe a little."
Keiren laughed. "Bro's acting like he did tapasya at every temple."
Rakki and Aries were arguing about which temple had the best architecture. Ella, Mica, and Freya were walking together, whispering and giggling about something I couldn't hear. Krish looked half-asleep already.
And through all of it — Jay's laugh cut through the night.
Soft.
Free.
Unfiltered.
She leaned a little closer to me as we walked, maybe because she was tired. Maybe because she wanted to.
"Tired?" I asked quietly.
"Just a little," she admitted.
Without making it obvious, I shifted so our shoulders brushed. She didn't move away. Instead, her fingers tightened slightly around mine.
Behind us, Honey gasped dramatically. "Oh my God. Are we ignoring this?"
Ella turned instantly. "Ignoring what?"
Honey pointed shamelessly at our hands. "This."
Jay tried to pull her hand back on instinct.
I didn't let go.
Not stubbornly.
Just… naturally.
"She's tired," I said calmly.
"Oh yes," Honey nodded seriously. "Hand-holding improves stamina."
Aries snorted. Rakki laughed. Even Mica covered her smile.
Jay glared at them, but it lasted barely three seconds before she started laughing too.
And then—
She stepped slightly wrong on the uneven pavement.
Her balance shifted.
I caught her before she could even react.
Her hand gripped my arm. She was suddenly closer — really close. I could feel the warmth of her breath.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Yes," she said softly.
Honey dramatically shielded Grazel's eyes. "Scandalous."
Grace rolled her eyes. "Please."
Keiren muttered, "Someone play romantic background music."
Jay stepped back, cheeks faintly pink under the streetlight.
"I saved you," I murmured.
"From a two-inch slope?" she whispered back.
"Danger doesn't need height."
She rolled her eyes — but she didn't let go of my hand this time.
Ahead of us, Percy announced, "I'm hungry again."
"YOU JUST ATE," Freya snapped.
"Spiritual hunger," Percy defended.
Krish sighed. "You're unbelievable."
The city breeze picked up slightly. Jay rubbed her arms.
Without thinking, I adjusted her dupatta over her shoulder.
She looked at me, surprised for a second.
"Thanks."
"Team effort," I replied.
She smiled.
And for a moment, even with Section E arguing, Honey narrating our "love story," Keigan pretending not to care, Grazel babbling happily, and everyone walking in one chaotic cluster —
It felt right.
Complete.
When our house gate finally came into view, Percy declared he was taking the first shower. Grace argued. Honey said she deserved it more. Rakki threatened to lock everyone out. Aries volunteered to sleep on the floor. Ella, Mica, and Freya were already planning snacks.
Eces walked ahead calmly, Krish beside her, as if she carried the quiet strength of the day with her.
Jay looked up at me softly.
"Today was really nice."
"Yeah," I said.
She hesitated, then admitted quietly, "My favorite part was the walk back."
Mine too.
But I just squeezed her hand gently before we stepped inside.
After a day of visiting temples…
It turned out that walking home beside her — surrounded by chaos, laughter, and people who felt like something more than just friends —
Was the most sacred part of all.
Keifer's POV
The moment we stepped inside, it felt like the entire house exhaled with us.
The maids had already arranged everything — glasses of cool water lined neatly on the center table, light snacks placed in bowls, towels folded on the side. The living room lights were warm and inviting.
And then—
Chaos.
Percy dropped onto the couch like he had returned from war.
"I can't feel my legs."
Honey flopped dramatically beside him. "If I don't wake up tomorrow, tell everyone I died spiritually fulfilled."
Grace carefully set Grazel down and then sank into an armchair. "You two are embarrassing."
Keigan kicked off his shoes mid-walk. One landed near the staircase. The other slid halfway under the table.
"Bro!" Keiren groaned. "At least aim."
Aries and Rakki collapsed onto the rug. Ella, Mica, and Freya took over the longer couch, immediately stealing snacks from each other. Krish shook his head but couldn't hide his smile. Even Eces looked amused, though she maintained some dignity while sitting down.
Within two minutes—
Shoes were everywhere.
Bags were abandoned.
Dupattas and shawls hung loosely over chairs.
And right in the middle of that beautiful disaster—
Jay stood laughing.
Not judging.
Not scolding.
Just laughing at the mess like it was the most natural thing in the world.
She bent down to move one of Keigan's shoes out of the walkway, shaking her head. "You all are impossible."
Her laugh echoed softly through the room.
And for some reason, everything else faded for me.
I didn't sit immediately.
I just stood there for a second, watching her from across the room.
The way her hair had loosened slightly from the long day.
The way she tucked it behind her ear without thinking.
The way she smiled at Honey's dramatic commentary.
She looked tired.
But happy.
And that expression… it stayed with me.
She finally noticed me staring.
"What?" she asked, raising an eyebrow playfully.
"Nothing."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "That was definitely not 'nothing.'"
Before I could answer, Percy groaned loudly. "Water. Someone pass water. I can't reach."
"You're literally next to it," Honey said.
"I don't believe in effort anymore."
Jay laughed again and handed him the glass anyway.
After a while, the room settled into softer conversations. Snacks were half-finished. Grazel had fallen asleep against Grace. The dramatic energy had mellowed.
Freya suddenly sat up. "So… what's tomorrow's plan?"
That woke everyone up again.
"NO walking," Percy declared immediately.
"Agreed," Honey said firmly.
Keiren stretched. "Maybe something chill?"
Aries suggested shopping. Rakki suggested street food. Ella wanted pictures somewhere aesthetic. Mica wanted rest. Keigan muttered something about sleeping until noon.
All the noise blended together.
Jay yawned quietly beside me.
It was small, almost hidden — but I noticed.
"Tired?" I asked softly.
She nodded. "Very."
The corners of her eyes looked heavy now. The long day had finally caught up with her.
"I'll walk you to your room," I said before I could overthink it.
She didn't argue.
We slipped away while Section E was still debating tomorrow's "strategy."
The hallway was quieter.
Dim lights.
Soft shadows.
For once, no teasing.
When we reached her door, she turned toward me.
"Today was really perfect," she said gently.
I leaned against the wall casually. "Because of the temples?"
She shook her head slightly.
"Because of everyone."
There was a pause.
Then she added quietly—
"And… some moments."
I didn't ask which ones.
I didn't need to.
"Get some sleep," I said softly.
She smiled — tired, warm, real.
"Goodnight, Keifer."
"Goodnight, Jay."
She stepped inside.
The door closed gently.
And I stood there for a few seconds longer than necessary.
From downstairs, I could hear Honey yelling, "I swear if Percy snores tonight—"
Laughter followed.
I walked back toward the noise.
Tomorrow would bring another plan.
Another mess.
Another day.
But tonight?
Tonight felt complete.
+++++++++++++++
Their journey in Kolkata ended , now just wait for the next destination!!