Keifer's POV
If there was one thing I had learned after spending enough time with Eces and Krish...
It was this.
If they disappeared together...
They already had a plan.
The rest of us were simply expected to catch up.
Still, walking into an unfamiliar house without either of them waiting inside felt strange.
The entrance opened into a spacious hall with high ceilings, polished wooden floors, and large windows that filled the room with soft morning light. Everything looked ready, as though the house had been expecting us for days.
"They really planned all this," Jay murmured beside me.
"They always do," I replied.
The aroma of breakfast drifted from the dining room.
That immediately distracted half the group.
Keiren sniffed dramatically.
"I don't know where we are..."
He placed a hand over his stomach.
"...but whoever cooked deserves respect."
Laughter spread through the hall.
One by one, everyone made their way into the dining room.
A long dining table had already been set.
Fresh aloo parathas glistened with butter.
Pooris sat in woven baskets beside bowls of chole.
There were sandwiches for anyone wanting something lighter, fresh fruit, yogurt, boiled eggs, and several kettles of hot tea and coffee.
Honey's eyes widened.
"They really prepared all this... for us?"
One of the maids smiled warmly.
"Yes, ma'am."
Percy looked around suspiciously.
"I'm starting to think Eces secretly owns this place."
Jay laughed softly.
"I wouldn't even be surprised."
Everyone settled into their seats.
Grace sat with Grazel beside her while Denzel carefully prepared the baby's bottle.
Aries and Ella immediately reached for the parathas.
Ci-n and Rakki began arguing over who had taken the last piece of butter before breakfast had even properly started.
Keiren had somehow managed to stack three pooris on his plate.
"That's your first serving?" Keigan asked.
"It's called planning ahead."
Across from me, Jay smiled into her cup of tea.
She looked much more rested than she had after yesterday's journey.
I quietly slid the bowl of pickle closer to her.
"You'll want this."
She smiled.
"You remembered."
"I usually do."
She thanked me softly before serving herself.
For a while, the room settled into comfortable conversation mixed with the clinking of cutlery.
It almost felt normal.
Almost.
Then Honey suddenly froze halfway through eating.
"...Wait."
Everyone looked at her.
"Our luggage."
Percy blinked.
"What about it?"
"I don't even know where my suitcase is."
Freya looked around.
"Mine too."
Ella frowned.
"I still have yesterday's clothes."
Jay glanced down at herself before looking at me.
"We didn't even unpack."
Keiren's eyes widened dramatically.
"Don't tell me we're living out of the cars."
"Oh no," Honey groaned.
"I need to change."
"So do I," Rakki agreed.
Ci-n looked down at his hoodie.
"I've slept in this."
Blaster sighed dramatically.
"I was mentally preparing for the same outfit two days in a row."
"That would've been tragic," Felix replied with a grin.
The conversations quickly overlapped.
"Where are our bags?"
"Did someone unload them?"
"I haven't even seen my backpack."
"What if they're still in Amritsar?"
Before the discussion could become complete chaos, one of the senior maids stepped forward with a reassuring smile.
"Please don't worry."
The room gradually quieted.
"Miss Eces gave us everyone's room assignments before you arrived."
Jay exchanged a glance with me.
The maid continued,
"All of your luggage has already been moved to your respective rooms."
A collective sigh of relief spread around the table.
"But that's not all," she added.
"Your wardrobes have already been arranged."
Honey blinked.
"...Arranged?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The maid nodded politely.
"Your clothes have been unpacked, pressed, and placed neatly inside the wardrobes. Toiletries and other personal belongings have also been organized according to the instructions we received."
For several seconds...
Nobody spoke.
Keieren slowly lowered the glass he had been holding.
"...Ate Eces unpacked our lives."
The room burst into laughter.
Aries shook his head in disbelief.
"She planned everything."
Keigan smiled faintly.
"That's exactly what she does."
Jay couldn't help smiling.
"I told you."
I leaned back in my chair, quietly amused.
Only Eces would disappear without an explanation...
...and still make sure everyone had clean clothes waiting before they even thought to ask.
Grace looked visibly relieved.
"That makes things so much easier with Grazel."
Denzel nodded in agreement.
"It really does."
Percy looked around the room dramatically.
"I officially nominate Eces as Minister of Logistics."
"Seconded," Honey replied immediately.
"Unanimously approved," Blaster declared.
Even the staff laughed softly.
Jay leaned a little closer to me.
"I wonder where they are."
I looked toward the tall windows, where the morning sun continued to brighten the unfamiliar property.
"So do I."
Somewhere beyond those gates...
Eces and Krish were busy with whatever they had been planning.
And knowing the two of them...
Whatever awaited us next was probably already perfectly organized.
Breakfast had long been finished.
The dining room had slowly emptied, and everyone eventually gathered in the spacious living room, still trying to figure out where exactly we were.
Jay settled beside me on one of the sofas, tucking her feet beneath her comfortably.
"So..." Percy began dramatically, "since our two masterminds have vanished..."
Honey continued, "...what do we do now?"
"I vote we explore the house," Keiren declared.
"I vote you stop voting," Keigan replied.
Laughter spread around the room.
Grace sat nearby with Grazel sleeping peacefully in her arms while Denzel quietly prepared another bottle.
Ci-n looked around curiously.
"This place is huge."
"It feels like a hotel," Rakki added.
"No," Jay said thoughtfully as she looked around the elegant living room. "It feels... lived in."
I nodded.
"It does."
Aries stretched his arms.
"I still want to know where we are."
"So does everyone," Ella agreed.
Before anyone could continue guessing...
The sound of the main door opening echoed through the house.
Footsteps followed.
Then familiar voices.
"...They should be awake by now."
"They're definitely discussing theories."
"I'd be disappointed if they weren't."
Every head turned toward the entrance.
Keiren immediately stood up.
"Ate!"
A moment later...
Eces and Krish walked into the living room together.
And for the first time since morning...
Everyone forgot what they were about to say.
Because neither of them was dressed the way they usually were.
Instead...
Both of them were wearing bright red Punjab Kings jerseys.
Krish casually carried two caps in one hand while Eces had her phone tucked into the pocket of her jersey.
Percy's mouth slowly fell open.
"...What."
Honey blinked twice.
"Why are you two dressed like that?"
Keiren looked between them excitedly.
"Ate... Kuya... what's happening?"
Krish exchanged an amused glance with Eces.
Eces folded her arms.
"I have one question."
Nobody interrupted.
"How many of you have ever watched a live IPL match from the stadium?"
Silence.
Hands slowly stayed down.
Then Ci-n cautiously raised his.
"Only on TV."
"Same," Aries admitted.
"Never in a stadium," Freya added.
Jay looked from Eces to Krish.
"...Wait."
Her eyes widened.
"No..."
A small smile finally appeared on Eces' face.
"We're going to Mullanpur."
The room remained silent for exactly two seconds.
Then...
"MULLANPUR?!"
"WHAT?!"
"ARE YOU SERIOUS?"
Honey nearly jumped off the sofa.
Percy stared in disbelief.
"The stadium?"
Krish nodded.
"Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium."
Keieren's jaw dropped.
"For..."
He looked at the jerseys.
"...Punjab Kings?"
Eces nodded once.
"Today's IPL fixture."
She paused just long enough for everyone to lean forward.
"Punjab Kings..."
Krish finished with a faint smile.
"...versus Sunrisers Hyderabad."
The house erupted.
"No way!"
"Seriously?!"
"We're actually going?"
"Live match?!"
Blaster practically threw both hands into the air.
"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MY ENTIRE LIFE!"
Felix laughed.
"You've waited exactly three minutes."
"I stand by my statement."
Jay turned toward me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"You knew?"
I laughed.
"I was just as confused as everyone else."
She smiled before looking back at Eces.
"You planned all this?"
"Months ago," Eces answered simply.
Krish added,
"Tickets were confirmed well in advance."
Percy pointed accusingly.
"And you told absolutely no one?"
"It was meant to be a surprise," Krish replied.
"A successful one," Honey admitted.
Keigan looked around the room before smiling faintly.
"So..."
He looked at Eces.
"We're really here for the IPL."
"Yes."
Ci-n looked almost ready to explode with excitement.
"Eces..."
He grinned from ear to ear.
"This is the coolest surprise ever."
Even Eces laughed softly.
"I'm glad you think so."
Keiren suddenly frowned.
"...Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
"We don't have team jerseys."
Honey gasped.
"Oh no."
"And different clothes," Rakki added.
"My suitcase is still packed."
"What are we supposed to wear?" Ella asked.
Before panic could spread again...
Eces calmly raised one hand.
"The maids already know everyone's room assignments."
The room immediately quieted.
"Each room has been prepared."
Krish continued,
"Your luggage has already been unpacked."
"And," Eces added, "every room has a Punjab Kings jersey in your size."
Silence.
Then another explosion of excitement.
"You even bought jerseys?!"
"Oh my God!"
"That's why you disappeared!"
Percy laughed.
"I officially retire."
"Nobody can out-plan you."
Honey nodded vigorously.
"Absolutely impossible."
Jay shook her head with an amused smile.
"I should've known."
I looked at Eces.
"You planned every detail."
She shrugged lightly.
"It makes things easier."
Krish checked the time on his watch.
"We leave in one hour."
"So," Eces said, looking around the room, "go to your rooms."
She pointed toward the staircase.
"The maids will show everyone where you're staying."
"Freshen up."
"Change."
"And don't keep the bus waiting."
Keiren saluted dramatically.
"Yes, Ate!"
The maids immediately stepped forward, each ready to guide different groups upstairs.
Within moments, the peaceful living room turned into cheerful chaos once again.
People picked up their phones.
Others excitedly guessed where their rooms were.
Ci-n was already asking Keigan if they could sit together at the stadium.
Blaster and Felix were debating which player would score the most runs.
Jay slipped her hand into mine as we started walking toward the staircase.
"You know," she said with a smile, "every time I think Eces can't surprise me anymore..."
"She proves you wrong," I finished.
Jay nodded.
"Every single time."
I laughed quietly.
And as we followed one of the maids upstairs toward our room, I had a feeling this wasn't just going to be another outing.
It was going to be a stadium filled with thousands of roaring fans...
...and Section E was about to become the loudest group among them.
The room was quieter than the rest of the house.
For once.
Outside, I could hear Keiren shouting something about finding his cap, Aries arguing with Percy over who had taken whose sunglasses, and Honey laughing so loudly that it echoed down the hallway.
Inside our room...
It was peaceful.
Jay stood in front of the wardrobe, holding up two identical red PBKS jerseys, trying to decide which one looked better.
She looked over her shoulder.
"Do you think this one is too loose?"
I looked up from where I was buttoning my jeans.
"It looks fine."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You didn't even look properly."
"I did."
"You looked for one second."
"I only needed one second."
She shook her head with an amused smile before slipping the jersey over her head.
The bright red suited her.
Almost unfairly well.
She turned toward the mirror, smoothing the fabric before tying her hair into a high ponytail.
"Should I leave it open instead?"
I walked over.
"Either way."
"That's not helping."
"It wasn't supposed to."
She laughed softly.
"Hopeless."
I leaned against the wardrobe, folding my arms while watching her adjust the sleeves.
"So..."
She caught my reflection in the mirror.
"So?"
"Who's your favorite player today?"
Her face lit up immediately.
"Oh!"
She pointed at me dramatically.
"I'm definitely supporting Shreyas Iyer."
I raised an eyebrow.
"That was fast."
"He has amazing captain vibes."
"Hm."
"He plays fearlessly."
"Hm."
"And he's really calm under pressure."
"Hm."
She turned around completely.
"Why do you keep saying 'hm'?"
"I'm listening."
"No, you're judging."
"I would never."
She gave me a look that clearly said liar.
Then she continued anyway.
"And honestly..."
She tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"I like watching Abhishek Sharma too."
I blinked.
"From SRH?"
"Yeah."
"He plays really well."
I nodded once.
"He does."
"And he's fun to watch."
"Hm."
She smiled innocently.
"And..."
She pretended to think.
"He's handsome too."
Silence.
Very dangerous silence.
She looked at me.
"...Keifer?"
I smiled.
Very calmly.
"So."
"So?"
"You're evaluating the opposition now?"
She burst into laughter.
"I'm appreciating good cricket!"
"Interesting."
"And I said they are handsome."
"They?"
"Shreyas... Abhishek..."
She started counting on her fingers.
"There are quite a few good-looking cricketers."
I stared at her.
She tried very hard not to laugh.
"So this is what we're doing today."
She folded her arms.
"What?"
"We're going to a stadium..."
"Yes."
"...to watch cricket."
"Exactly."
"...and you're making a list."
"It is not a list."
"It sounded like one."
She walked closer until she was standing right in front of me.
"You sound jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
"You are."
"I'm observant."
She giggled.
"No."
"I am."
"You definitely are jealous."
I sighed dramatically.
"My wife is complimenting the opposing team's players."
"I complimented our captain too."
"Our?"
She grinned proudly.
"PBKS today."
"Good answer."
She laughed again before reaching up to straighten the collar of my jersey.
"There."
"You look nice."
I glanced down.
"Only nice?"
She pretended to inspect me carefully.
"Hmm..."
"What?"
"I suppose..."
She smiled.
"...very handsome."
"Better."
She rolled her eyes.
"So much ego."
"I learned from you."
"I do not have an ego."
I simply looked at her.
She lasted exactly three seconds before laughing.
"Fine."
"A little."
"A little?"
"A medium amount."
I stepped closer.
"Medium?"
"Okay!"
She laughed louder.
"Maybe slightly above medium."
I slipped my arms gently around her waist.
"And what about me?"
She blinked.
"What about you?"
"You've complimented half the IPL."
"I complimented two people."
"You forgot someone."
She tilted her head innocently.
"Who?"
I lowered my voice.
"Your husband."
Her cheeks pinkened immediately.
"I already said you look handsome."
"Only handsome?"
She looked away, suddenly very interested in the floor.
"...Very handsome."
I leaned closer.
"Still feels incomplete."
She looked back at me.
"Oh?"
"I think you're biased."
She smiled.
"I am."
"Toward Shreyas?"
She laughed so hard she had to hold my shoulders.
"No!"
"Abhishek?"
"No!"
"Then?"
She reached up and lightly tapped my nose.
"You."
"I choose you."
The ridiculous wave of satisfaction that settled inside me was embarrassing.
"There we go."
"Happy?"
"Very."
She shook her head.
"Hopelessly jealous."
"I'm protecting my reputation."
She smirked.
"Your reputation?"
"My wife shouldn't be advertising handsome cricketers."
"I wasn't advertising."
"You were recruiting."
She laughed again.
"I promise I'm only going to watch cricket."
"Good."
"And maybe cheer loudly."
"For PBKS."
She nodded enthusiastically.
"For PBKS."
I studied her for another second before leaning down and placing a quick kiss on her forehead.
She smiled softly.
"Better?"
"Much."
A loud knock interrupted us.
"KUYAAA!"
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