Jay's POV
I woke up to knocking.
Not gentle knocking.
Strategic knocking.
"Ate Jay!" Eces called from outside our door. "Wake up. We're leaving Kolkata today."
I blinked awake slowly.
Beside me, Keifer groaned and pulled the blanket slightly over his head.
"What time is it…" he muttered.
Another knock.
"Ate Jay. Thirty minutes. Be ready."
I sat up immediately.
"Wait... leaving? Today?"
"Yes. We're going to Jaipur. Two to three days. Pack light, comfortable clothes. And don't forget sunglasses."
Her footsteps faded down the hallway before I could ask anything else.
I stared at the door.
"Jaipur?"
I turned toward my husband.
He was lying on his back now, staring at the ceiling with an amused smile.
"Well," he said, "that escalated quickly."
"We're going to Jaipur," I repeated, still trying to process it.
His smile widened.
"The Pink City."
I blinked.
"So... no mountains."
"No mountains."
"No sweaters."
"No sweaters."
I sighed dramatically.
"I was mentally preparing for cold weather."
He laughed.
"I was mentally preparing to watch you steal my jacket."
I threw a pillow at him.
"You're impossible."
He caught it effortlessly.
"Very."
I swung my legs off the bed.
"We only have thirty minutes!"
Before I could stand completely, Keifer gently caught my wrist.
"Relax."
"I can't relax. Everyone's probably already packed."
He tugged lightly until I fell against his chest again.
"Jay."
His morning voice was always quieter.
Calmer.
"We'll pack. We always do."
I stayed there for another moment before sighing.
"Fine."
Then I pointed a finger at him.
"But if we're late, it's your fault."
"I accept the responsibility."
---
The house was already alive.
Honey was loudly asking why vacations always started before sunrise.
Percy demanded to know who approved such "inhumane scheduling."
Keiren sounded unbelievably excited.
"Jaipur! Camels! Forts!"
Keigan was already playing music somewhere down the hallway.
Grace reminded everyone not to forget chargers.
Aries and Rakki were debating who deserved the window seat.
Ella, Mica, and Freya were discussing which outfits would survive Rajasthan's heat.
Krish was organizing luggage downstairs.
And above all of it...
Eces' calm voice floated through the house.
"Everyone downstairs in twenty minutes."
Somehow, people actually listened.
---
I opened the wardrobe.
"Well... goodbye sweaters."
Keifer walked over beside me.
"Hello cotton clothes."
I laughed.
"That doesn't sound nearly as exciting."
He reached toward the upper shelf and pulled down a light cotton shawl.
"You'll still need this."
"In Jaipur?"
"Mornings and evenings can be cooler than afternoons."
I accepted it.
"See? You do know how to pack."
"I know many things."
"So humble."
"It's a gift."
---
I began folding kurtis, comfortable trousers, and a few dresses into the suitcase.
Keifer opened it on the bed.
"Pass them over."
I handed him a neatly folded outfit.
He arranged everything with military precision.
"You pack better than I do," I admitted.
"I've noticed."
"You're enjoying this way too much."
"I enjoy efficiency."
"You enjoy showing off."
"That too."
---
As I reached for another outfit, he gently stopped me.
"One second."
"What?"
He picked up my sunglasses from the dresser.
"You'll definitely forget these."
"Oh."
He placed them carefully inside the suitcase.
"And sunscreen."
I laughed.
"Now who's acting like my bodyguard?"
"Your husband."
He said it so naturally that my heart skipped.
Simple words.
Simple meaning.
But they still made me smile.
---
He zipped the suitcase halfway before looking at me.
"You're excited."
"I am."
"For Jaipur?"
"For everything."
His expression softened immediately.
He stepped closer until there was barely any space between us.
"We needed this."
"I know."
"So... no mountains."
"No mountains."
"But we'll get palaces."
"And forts."
"Markets."
"Food."
He smiled.
"And you'll probably buy half the handicraft shops."
"I make no promises."
He chuckled.
---
Outside our room, Honey shouted,
"WHO TOOK MY SUNGLASSES?"
"They're on your head!" Freya called back.
"Oh."
A few seconds later...
"Never mind!"
The entire hallway erupted into laughter.
Keifer shook his head.
"They'll never change."
"I hope they don't."
---
He finally zipped the suitcase completely.
"Done."
"That was quick."
"Teamwork."
He picked up our luggage with one hand as if it weighed almost nothing.
Then, before opening the door, he gently brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
"Ready, Mrs. Keifer?"
I smiled.
"Always."
He rested his hand lightly against my lower back as we stepped into the hallway together.
The house buzzed with excitement.
Suitcases rolled across the floor.
People hurried up and down the stairs.
Laughter echoed through every corner.
Kolkata had given us unforgettable memories.
But as I glanced at Keifer walking beside me, effortlessly carrying our suitcase while teasing Keiren about spotting camels before anyone else...
I couldn't help smiling.
Jaipur was waiting.
And somehow...
I had a feeling our next adventure was only just beginning.
The moment we stepped out of our room, the entire house was already alive.
The peaceful morning from a few minutes ago had completely disappeared.
Now...
It was organized chaos.
Suitcases rolled across the polished marble floor.
Someone was calling out for their phone charger.
Someone else couldn't find their sunglasses.
Honey was insisting Percy had somehow managed to lose one of her shopping bags.
"I did not touch it!" Percy defended himself dramatically.
"You looked at it suspiciously."
"That's not a crime."
"It should be."
A chorus of laughter echoed through the hallway.
Even Keifer chuckled beside me.
"You know," he murmured, "they'd survive any crisis."
"How?"
"They'd argue through it."
I laughed.
"That's... actually true."
---
Downstairs, Krish stood near the entrance with a clipboard in one hand, speaking quietly to a few bodyguards.
Instructions were given calmly.
Routes confirmed.
Luggage counted twice.
Within minutes, everyone began carrying their bags outside.
The driveway was already busy.
Several vehicles waited in a neat line while the security team carefully loaded every suitcase into the trunks.
Nothing was thrown carelessly.
Everything had its place.
Krish glanced toward us as we walked out.
"Morning," he said.
"Morning," Keifer replied.
"All packed?"
Keifer lifted our suitcase slightly.
"Ready to go."
Krish gave a satisfied nod before turning back to supervise the last few bags.
---
Not far away, Eces was quietly checking that everyone had packed everything they needed.
"No one forgot their IDs?"
A chorus of different answers came back.
"Chargers?"
"Packed!"
"Medicines?"
Grace immediately raised a small pouch.
"Grazel's things are with me."
"Good."
Keiren suddenly looked around.
"...Wait."
Everyone stopped.
"My headphones."
Honey sighed dramatically.
"I knew someone forgot something."
"They're around your neck," Keigan said without even looking up.
Keiren blinked.
"...Right."
Section E burst into laughter.
---
"Everyone into your assigned cars," Krish called.
That immediately scattered everyone across the driveway.
Aries, Ella, David and Yuri claimed one SUV, already debating which playlist deserved the first hour.
Calix, Mica, Drew and Blaster climbed into another, with Blaster insisting he was in charge of snacks.
Edrix, Freya, Rory and Eman filled the next vehicle, Freya successfully winning the window seat before anyone could object.
Grace settled into another car with little Grazel in her arms while Denzel helped secure the baby seat. Keieren and Keigan joined them, continuing whatever competition they had been arguing about since breakfast.
Ci-n, Rakki, Eren and Josh disappeared into another vehicle, their conversation already loud enough to hear from outside.
Percy dramatically opened his car door with an exaggerated flourish.
"My carriage awaits."
Honey rolled her eyes.
"It's an SUV."
"Luxury SUV."
Felix, Kit and Mayo climbed in behind them, already laughing.
---
Our turn came.
Eces settled into the front passenger seat while Krish took the seat beside the driver, reviewing the route one last time.
Keifer opened the rear door for me without saying a word.
"Thank you," I smiled.
"My pleasure."
I slid inside.
A second later, he joined me, closing the door gently behind him.
For just a moment...
Everything became quiet.
Then one by one...
The engines came to life.
The convoy slowly rolled forward.
---
I watched Kolkata drift past outside my window.
Busy streets.
Morning markets.
Tea stalls already crowded with people.
Flower vendors arranging fresh marigolds.
It felt strange leaving.
We had laughed here.
Prayed here.
Walked through old streets together.
Created memories I knew I wouldn't forget.
Keifer's hand brushed against mine on the seat.
At first, it was accidental.
Then...
His fingers quietly slipped between mine.
I smiled without looking at him.
"You planned that," I whispered.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Liar."
"I prefer 'strategic.'"
I laughed softly.
---
Neither Krish nor Eces turned around.
They simply continued discussing the route ahead with the driver.
The city traffic slowly began thinning as we left the busiest roads behind.
"Excited?" Keifer asked quietly.
I nodded.
"Very."
"For Jaipur?"
I looked out the window for a moment before turning back to him.
"For all of it."
"The forts?"
"The palaces."
"The markets."
"The journey."
I paused.
"And you."
His expression softened immediately.
He squeezed my hand just a little tighter.
"I'm looking forward to it too."
---
A few minutes later, Eces glanced back briefly.
"It's a long drive," she said. "If anyone wants to sleep, now's a good time."
"I probably will," I admitted.
Keifer leaned back comfortably against the seat.
"So will I."
I rested my head lightly against his shoulder.
He adjusted himself without a word so I could sit more comfortably.
Outside, Kolkata slowly disappeared behind us.
Ahead...
A new city waited.
New roads.
New stories.
And somehow, with Keifer's hand still holding mine and the convoy stretching along the highway behind us...
The journey already felt like part of the adventure.
The convoy rolled steadily out of Kolkata, leaving the bustling city behind as the highways stretched endlessly ahead.
From my seat, I watched the scenery change through the window.
The busy streets slowly gave way to open roads lined with trees, small villages, roadside tea stalls, and endless stretches of green fields. Every now and then, colorful trucks rumbled past in the opposite direction, each decorated with bright paintings and cheerful slogans.
The drive felt... peaceful.
Inside our car, Krish was quietly discussing the route with the driver while occasionally checking something on his phone.
Keifer sat beside me, one arm resting comfortably on the armrest between us.
For the first hour, none of us spoke much.
It was the comfortable kind of silence.
The kind that didn't need filling.
I rested my head lightly against the window, watching the world blur past.
"You'll get a headache," Keifer murmured.
"I won't."
"You always say that."
"I do not."
He smiled.
Without another word, he gently guided my head away from the glass until it rested against his shoulder instead.
"There," he said.
"Happy?"
"Very."
I couldn't help smiling.
Outside, the morning sun climbed higher, casting golden light over the countryside.
Every now and then, one of the other cars overtook us before falling back into formation again.
Honey waved dramatically through one of the windows.
I waved back.
Percy somehow held up a packet of chips against the glass like it was an emergency announcement.
I laughed.
"He's been eating since we left," I muttered.
Keifer glanced over.
"I'm not surprised."
A few minutes later, Krish's phone rang.
He answered briefly before nodding.
"We'll stop ahead," he informed us. "There's a good restaurant. Everyone can stretch for a while."
"Finally," I said.
"My legs were starting to complain."
Keifer looked amused.
"They've been sitting."
"They're still complaining."
"I'll have a word with them later."
I elbowed him gently.
"You make absolutely no sense."
"I know."
The cars gradually slowed before turning into a spacious roadside restaurant with a large parking area.
One after another, the vehicles came to a stop.
The moment everyone stepped outside...
Chaos resumed.
"I CALL FIRST WASHROOM!" Honey shouted, already halfway to the entrance.
"You called it after running!" Percy protested while chasing after her.
"That's still legal!"
"It is absolutely not!"
Keiren burst into laughter.
Calix shook his head dramatically.
"They've been outside the car for three seconds."
"New record," Blaster replied.
Grace carefully lifted little Grazel from her baby seat while Denzel carried the diaper bag.
The little girl blinked sleepily before letting out a tiny yawn that made almost everyone around her smile.
"She's awake," Ella whispered.
"And adorable," Mica added.
Keifer reached for our small backpack before looking at me.
"Hungry?"
"A little."
"Liar."
"What?"
"You've been hungry since we crossed the last toll."
I pretended to look offended.
"I was simply... waiting patiently."
"For food."
"...Yes."
He chuckled before naturally reaching for my hand.
Our fingers intertwined as we walked toward the entrance together.
The restaurant wasn't overly fancy, but it was clean and lively.
The aroma of fresh parathas, chai, and spices filled the air.
Large windows overlooked the highway, where our convoy of vehicles stood neatly parked.
Section E immediately occupied almost an entire side of the dining area.
Within seconds...
Arguments about seating arrangements began.
"I'm sitting near the window."
"No, you sat there last time."
"There wasn't a last time."
"There is now."
Honey laughed.
Percy dramatically claimed two chairs before immediately losing both of them.
Keifer pulled out a chair beside him for me.
"After you."
"Thank you."
As I sat down, he quietly placed a bottle of water in front of me before opening it.
"You always forget."
"I don't always forget."
"You forgot yesterday."
"...That was yesterday."
"And today?"
I smiled sheepishly.
"Point taken."
He simply smiled back.
For just a moment...
The noise around us faded.
It was only a simple road trip breakfast.
Yet somehow...
Those ordinary little moments beside him made every journey feel special.
Outside, the engines had fallen silent.
Ahead of us...
Jaipur still waited.
And so did the next chapter of our adventure.
The restaurant slowly disappeared behind us as the convoy merged back onto the highway.
Night had settled completely now.
The last shades of orange had faded from the horizon, replaced by a sky scattered with tiny stars. Headlights from passing vehicles streaked across the windows while the gentle hum of the engine filled the comfortable silence inside our car.
Nobody seemed interested in talking anymore.
The long day had finally caught up with all of us.
Krish sat in the front, quietly discussing the remaining route with the driver every now and then. Beside him, Eces had been looking out of the window only a few minutes earlier.
Now...
Even she had fallen asleep.
Her head rested lightly against the seat, her arms folded comfortably, her expression unusually peaceful. Without the calm authority she carried throughout the day, she simply looked like someone who had finally allowed herself to rest.
I smiled faintly before turning my attention back to the road.
My own eyelids were becoming heavier by the minute.
I blinked once.
Twice.
Then lost the battle completely.
My head leaned sideways.
Before it could bump against the window, Keifer's arm slipped gently around my shoulders.
"Sleep," he whispered.
"I'm awake..."
"You said that with your eyes closed."
I let out a sleepy little laugh.
The cool air from the AC made me move instinctively closer to him.
Without saying anything, he adjusted our position so I could rest comfortably against his shoulder.
His fingers found mine, intertwining naturally.
"I'll wake you when we arrive," he murmured.
I nodded, though I wasn't sure if I actually answered.
The steady rhythm of the moving car, his heartbeat beneath my cheek, and the warmth of his embrace slowly pulled me into sleep.
...
The next thing I felt was stillness.
The engine had stopped.
Voices drifted faintly from outside.
Car doors opened one after another.
I blinked slowly, still half asleep.
Warm yellow lights glowed outside the window.
We had arrived.
Keifer gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
"Jay," he whispered. "We're here."
I opened my eyes properly this time.
In front of us stood a beautiful old ancestral house, its wide verandas lit by warm lanterns. The wooden railings, flowering plants, and soft lights made the place feel welcoming before we had even stepped inside.
The other cars had already parked around us.
Everyone was waking up one by one.
Honey yawned dramatically.
Percy stretched so much that Kit told him he looked like a cat.
Grace carefully lifted little Grazel, who remained peacefully asleep in her blanket despite all the movement.
As I stepped out with Keifer's help, I glanced toward the front of our car.
Krish had just opened his door.
He turned toward Eces.
She was still asleep.
For a brief moment, he simply stood there, as if deciding whether to wake her or let her rest a little longer.
A small smile crossed his face before he spoke quietly.
"Eces... we've reached."
She stirred slowly, blinking in confusion before looking around.
"We're here?" she asked softly.
Krish nodded.
She let out a quiet breath, gathering herself before stepping out of the car.
Not far away, I noticed Keigan watching for a second.
There was no teasing on his face this time.
Only quiet concern.
The moment Eces looked in their direction, he quickly looked away and busied himself helping unload the luggage.
I exchanged a brief glance with Keifer.
He had noticed it too.
Without saying anything, he slipped his hand into mine again.
Together, we walked toward the warmly lit house as laughter slowly returned to the group.
The journey had ended.
And a new chapter was waiting just beyond the front door.
+++++++++++++
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