AN: hey guys it disheartens me to see no one commenting on the chapters, even as the story is ending. Do try to comment. It hardly takes a momment.💗 your thoughts will help me grow as author too. so your support is highly appreciated.😇💫💛 thank you so far whoever has read my story, left random votes and comments, I appreciate you as always

You might not know, this week's update took a lot of effort for me as I struggle with personal and health issues.🥲 I think this will go on cos yeah💔

It's just I'm in dire need of motivation. Without that, the future updates will be inadvertently delayed.💔🥺 That and ending a story is so hard. I will still give my best, regardless. Let's see how it goes. Hope you understand.😇 And hopefully you like this chapter. 💫Short chapter cos... yeah that's all I could manage with great difficulty. anyway, xoxo. Wishing you the best!💗💗

***

Soham walks away leaving Seyon, Thiya to share their private moment. Sarthak runs towards him outside the amusement park. The two men stand next to their newly granted police vehicle - a Mahindra vintage SX Jeep with the no indication or label of Police on them.

"Soham, everything all right? How's Seyon?" Sarthak asks breathlessly.

"All's fine here. What's the update?" Soham responds, tucking his hands into his pocket, completely switching to officer mode. Sarthak heaves a sigh of relief and straightens his posture.

"Search parties went out. Us, the local police. Aran will be nabbed."

Soham huffs a small laugh. "Great. It's confirmed now he's the slasher. But we need definitive proof."

A beat's silence. Sarthak looks around the desolate surroundings - the dilapidated, flimsily fenced gate through which Soham walked out the outlines of the amusement park structures behind. Wind stirs his jet black hair, cools his heated body. Soham is equally doused in precipitation their linen shirts tucked into their trousers nearly sticking to their bodies. Such humid,

warm weather. Come wind or rain or snow duties come first. Sarthak pats his chest lightly as if to encourage himself and begins gingerly looking at Soham who's in deep thoughts,

"Is Seyon truly okay? He wasn't hurt, was he? You just messaged in the group he's found but I was already speeding here. And Where's Thiya? Should we search the park? For Seyon, Thiya or... Aran?"

"Aran must have already fled the place." Soham smiles. The cause of his smile is his precious friends. "And Seyon, Thiya... Nah we should let them have their moment. The current timing doesn't matter. They earned this moment after 8 years."

Sarthak notices the wistful look on Soham's face. Looks like love is in the air. Seyon, Thiya will be back together? Is Soham missing Mira. With these thoughts in mind, Sarthak clears his throat.

"Soham, why don't you check on Mira, huh?"

"What, Sarthak? Didn't I already?"

"Go there. We'll handle the rest. Think of it as a well-deserved break, Soh. Sey, Thiya surely would return after their break too, right? I will keep the DCP and others informed."

"But Sarthak..."

"Soham, the doctor apparently has some good news. Ramya just gave an update from the hospital. Ulla is at Aran's residence with a few constables. They will take care of Aran if he shows up at his home. And we'll care for the rest. I think you should be the first one to hear the good news in person at the hospital Mira is in."

Soham is hopeful. He looks at Sarthak for answers who playfully smiles. That means... is Mira conscious? Soham thinks to himself. He wants to ask Sarthak but knows he won't get a straight answer. He thanks Sarthak and rides off to the Egmore Government Hospital on his bike. Sarthak also leaves the amusement park in the Jeep he brought. He's sure Seyon, Thiya will bring any clues left behind Aran to the office once they have their moment. Hopefully the case will soon be closed.

***

Thiya tries breaking the kiss in vain. Seyon holds her by the shoulders firmly. It only takes a moment; she gives in easily again, all resistance melting away. She opens her eyes for a split second just to reaffirm this moment isn't a dream. Seyon is with her, truly rekindling their love, sealing their vows with a kiss as they should. This is love isn't it? If not...

They pull away for a breath very briefly. She asks what she means to ask, no words minced.

"What do you mean it's always me?"

She chews her lip. What she wants is a confession yet cannot ask for it in a direct way. Just what's wrong with her? Perhaps a part of her is still afraid.

Seyon smiles. His smile is still close. He turns around their conjoined hands and places her palm over his chest. She feels his racing pulse, giddy all over again, but maintains a calm facade.

"Seyon..." she murmurs his name breathlessly, narrowing her eyes at the adoring gesture. Seyon had always been such a sweet, doting boyfriend, oh, yes, highly loyal too... It's a shame these eight years happened.

"It means it's you, Thiya," Seyon presses her palm over his heart. "Right here, always. No one else can get there. Chance eh ille. No chance at all."

"Seyon..." Thiya murmurs his name again, half chuckles, half cries, still reeling under the surrealism of what she heard and experienced. She wants to say their feelings are mutual. Whatever happened. This calls for a confession. But... who goes first? She doesn't mind being the first to say, yet...

As words fail her, Seyon kisses her again, as if to confirm what's happening is a reality. Again, she doesn't resist. Seyon sighs, pulling her closer by the waist. All this while, he'd tried to take the lead, to express himself. And now she responds by kissing him back. What a sweet surprise. She gave up resisting him.

They finally stop for air, remaining entwined in each other's arms. Seyon has trouble processing what he is supposed to say or do. The urge to kiss Thiya again is there in his heart, but he employs some self-restraint. He isn't a pervert after all. But as a man, he's deprived of her love for 8 years. Ugh, ahem. Such boldness. It's always been him but where does it come from? He momentarily steps back to push back his bangs.

Thiya uses the last semblance of self-restraint, the same as him, and pulls away. How much time passed? Though she slightly sways out of breathlessness, she stands firm. Meeting Seyon's eyes makes her flush red. Embarrassment is one thing, anger is another. Anger takes over as she looks him once over.

"Are you truly not injured?" Her words come harsher than intended. Seyon smiles feeling the love behind them. He reaches to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. Unlike before, she evades his touch.

"Seyon!" She flushes all over. Seyon can't tell whether it's from anger or embarrassment. She's adorable eitherway. "Honestly," she grits her teeth, "how dare you kiss me?"

Seyon can't believe the words coming from her. Heh, knowing her he can totally believe

"How dare you kiss me after you terrify me to death, Seyon? What if you were too late? I'd have died from anxiety! Then would you have kissed my corpse—"

Seyon cuts her off with his palm covering her mouth. "Shh, Thi... don't say such words. I'm sorry I was late. And I... I kissed you because I couldn't help it. It was impulse but I don't regret it."

Thiya's anger fizzles out. She chokes her tears once more. Seyon does the same however as they look at each other,  in the wake of unspoken. love flowing between them a smile threatens to bubble forth. Thiya supresses her smile, causing Seyon to do the same. The sudden heavy mood that came on, passes.

"Same as always, Seyu. Back then too, you kissed me first then told me you loved me. She chews her lip, embarrassed. Did she say too much? He laughs merrily, throwing his head back.

"Haha, you're not mad, are you?"

Thiya knits her brows. "I'm mad! Because you went to see Aran alone."

Seyon swallows his apology. Apologies don't do well, well apologetic words at least. Actions speak louder than words. He grabs her hand and squeezes it tight.

Thiya exhales, having understood the unsaid words.

"What about you?" Seyon clears her throat meeting her eyes. Funny. Though they are both embarrassed (he's also embarrassed a bit, who won't be? Also he's not shameless.), they can look each other in the eye. Is this due to their history?

"Soham says you guys had to escape the collapsing structure, Thiya. I'm sorry you two went through that. But honestly you should have ran for safety at the earliest."

"Ugh. Don't preach." Thiya clicks her tongue. "It happened suddenly. When did Soham tell you this though?"

"Hm telepathic conversation? Random guess? No precise guess by a detective inspector?"

With each word Seyon utters, Thiya laughs, then laughs some more and more. Eventually they end up laughing so much, holding hands.

They calm down after a while. Thiya asks Seyon what happened in the pyramid.

"We just talked," Seyon says with a shrug. "Aran's almost confessed he's the slasher. Looks like he regrets what he did. But he's a criminal, all right?"

Thiya nods solemnly then her vision clouds with worry.

"Seyon, Aran didn't hurt you, right?"

"Heh, do you think he could?"

"That cockiness! Anything is possible. It's not about your talent or strength, Seyon. It's just..."

"I know... I'm fine. Just a few scratches. We'll catch him soon."

"How? He fled the scene. By the way, what if he goes into hiding? It might take us forever to search and our bosses might determine he's too much of a waste to pursue. Especially with there being no slasher attacks."

"Hmm. But he'll come for me, Thiya."

Thiya gapes at Seyon's quiet words. "What... why?"

"He hates me." Seyon shrugs again. "I was the one standing in his way between him and Kavya."

"We all were, Seyon. Also I think it's admiration, more of. Aran might envy you. Do you think he still wants to harm Kavya? It feels like he gave up halfway. And didn't even find another target."

Seyon nods, "true."

"The entire SIT was in his way despite what you say, Seyu," Thiya shakes her head. "We still are. Are you sure he will only target you?"

"Positive. He'll come for me again. This time we will catch him. Make him confess too. Just put enough pressure and he'll babble the truth. His psychological state seems weak at the moment."

"Huh?" Thiya laughs lightly and slaps Seyon's arm. Seyon remains at ease, shrugging again despite saying those words about him being a target. Thiya sends him a slight glare.

"Seyon, are you Mira now? Don't forget we need more than a confession."

"Heh, yes. Later comes the stage. Courts won't accept circumstantial evidence."

"True." Thiya says with disgust, "God, this is so tricky. Did Aran truly change ways? I'm not happy he's coming for you, Seyon."

Seyon thinks Thiya's sulking it's cute. She doesn't even realise how worried she is, he can tell. That fake smile she put on isn't convincing. He's about to hug her when he senses it. Danger is nearby. She also senses it. They hold each other and duck out of harm's way. A laser beam whizzes past them and embeds in a broken wall of the debris nearby.

"Living without the one you love. I know that pain inspector."

Aran's voice is hoarse as the scrape of mental, shrill, the ringing of a death bell. Seyon, Thiya look at the source. Aran is standing a few yards away, a gun aimed at them.

"Yes. To part with the one you love is the greatest punishment. And you've been away for eight years. I will let you die with the one you love. It's my parting gift. It's why I've been stalling your death for so long."

With those words,Aran fires again. Seyon and Thiya roll to the side. This time the laser beam reflects off of the shiny mirror surface of the pyramid and hits someone —

Thiya screams. Aran and Seyon hiss. The beautiful moment is thus shattered. Who's harmed?

*

TBC

upnext: the confrontation with aran and whole confession... in later chapters the wrapping up of the case, soham's mira's confession as well as epilogues