an: final chapter. Last minute update again but came out well I think. v and c. more of aran, Soham-Mira, Seyon Thiya coming in the epilogues.

The DCP steps out of his jeep, which he had driven into the amusement park and stopped near his colleagues from CID. Soham salutes him and reveals the news that Aran is dead. The DCP receives the other SIT members' salutes, though he brushes off the need for formal greetings.

As silence settles, Soham pictures Mira's upset reaction once she discovered the mishap. He coerced a statement from her to get a warrant, but it was entirely unnecessary. The truth stings. Seyon and Thiya and everyone are oozing this aura to say they are thinking the same. What could they have done to avoid this day? Could there be an alternate ending?

The spiralling "what ifs" is overwhelming, but what's done is immutable. The experience can help shape their actions further. In Soham's opinion, explaining this principle to his friends is unnecessary. Adaptability is key to them; they adjust their viewpoints to handle their responsibilities and lead fulfilling lives, regardless of the challenges.

The DCP's gaze shifts from Aran's corpse to the officers standing beside him. "Is he the slasher, truly?"

Seyon answers as the team leader, "the circumstantial evidence so far points that he is. He consented to it last time we spoke, but stopped short of a full confession."

The DCP nods. Seyon goes on, "As I and Thiya have reported to you, sir. Aran had a motive for his vendetta against the film circles. From what he said, he was also subject to a lot of ridicule because of his disability."

Thiya speaks up, stepping forward. "Yes, sir. I recorded our last conversation before he fell dead. It might be crude, but I will process the audio file. Hopefully, we can hear him say what hardships he went through. Then there's his talk with Mira. And what Seyon and I discovered during our road trip... Aran's hardships led to this crazed plan of revenge. Even Professor Arindam couldn't save him. Coincidentally, Ramya and Sarthak did a thorough inquiry in the recent days. The celebrities who were dead are all connected to Aran. He worked in their films as a stunt crew and other technician, though he wasn't credited in the film screening."

"Poor boy..." the DCP shakes his head in pity. "His disability is a rare case. He must have struggled to admit it, let alone trust somebody to understand it."

The DCP looks at Aran's lifeless form. Here's where he would have removed his hat had he been a civil police. But he is not in that department anymore. A police wearing civilian clothes has its own allure, but the power of uniform can't be denied. The DCP banishes these thoughts and looks at Seyon.

"Have you informed the local police? Seyon, call them immediately."

"Thiya did, sir..." Seyon looks at Thiya, who nods.

"Very well." The DCP still dials up the local SI, passes quick instructions to speed up their arrival. Then he looks at the SIT officers.

"I will handle the rest from here. The SIT has worked hard. You all can rest now. I want a full report of what happened here tomorrow morning. Make sure you find me in my cabin tomorrow at 11:00."

Seyon protests, and everybody joins him in vocalising, "Sir, it's only early evening, can't we stay?"

The DCP laughs at their enthusiasm. "You still want to work? You are as workaholic as any. But for today, you will follow my orders. I'm not cruel as your former boss. Despite his mistreatment, you've collectively achieved a lot. You withheld the spirit of the police department. Consider this as a small reward."

Nobody argues against the DCP's decree. Out of respect, they linger until the other police and forensic teams arrive. A few minutes later, the abandoned amusement park is full of activity. The teams hurry because the press might show up anytime and it might cause chaos.

The DCP falls into talks with Dr Shah and the new SI of the local police department. On humanitarian grounds, the DCP insists he wants to send Aran's body to Professor Arindam to perform last rites once the autopsy is done.

"I will try to speed up the process," Dr Shah says wearily, adjusting his apron and mask. "But you know there are procedures to be followed."

Seyon and his friends' gaze linger on the two for a long moment. It is with great reluctance they step away from the scene. They part ways outside the amusement park. Soham drives away with Ulla in his Jeep. Sarthak and Ramya get away in another.

Seyon, Thiya look at each other, finding it strange that none asked about their travel plans to go home.

Seyon reaches for Thiya's hand, unsure if it's the correct move. Her soft smile in return makes him sigh with relief. They cling to one another in a familiar, comforting way. One of Thiya's hands entwines with his, while the other rests on his arm. They make way for his car and drive in silence, leaving behind the amusement park.

.

.

A book cafe is where they get refreshments. "What better place to unwind?" Seyon remarks while parking the car outside, and Thiya has to agree. Although she's frowning because this isn't their favourite book shop. This is not where they met. It would have been perfect if that bookshop was open at this hour every day, but that's not the case. Though the bookstore lacks a cafe, its quiet corner provides a peaceful spot to enjoy a book.

Probably because of the heat, the book cafe is nearly empty. They sit at a corner table. Seyon has his favourite hazelnut coffee. She has her vanilla and caramel. They let the quiet settle between them. Just the quiet broken by the sound of pages turning in front of them, coupled with slow sips of their caffeinated drinks, is slowing their minds and distracting them from the tragedy that just occurred, from the case that most likely has been just wrapped up.

It will be officially closed once their meeting with the DCP happens. Most likely, some paperwork will follow, but this is the end. Thiya recalls Seyon's words. It's over... Her heart lurches with the realisation that she will no longer be working with Seyon soon. Ugh, to think she wanted to run away all those months ago when she learnt she would work with him...

She shakes her head and focuses on the book she's holding, putting down her coffee so she can focus entirely on the story.

The book in her grasp is Sherry Maran's short story collection, which is basically a spinoff featuring various characters from her best hit novels. If she were to label her favourite characters, that has to be detective Noel in all of his charm and his beloved also a detective Nayara. Then there's the constant scheming villain who's none other than the forensic doctor who is also a crazy scientist... The back and forths and adventures between him and the detectives have gone long. Here's hoping Sherry Maran will end it soon... But when the end comes, no matter how much later, fans will be left with a bittersweet feeling, no?

Seyon sips his coffee, observing his ladylove. He kept a subtle eye, pretending to read and enjoy his coffee. Of course, the reason was he didn't want to cause her any discomfort. After the way he kissed her without her permission — ahem, ugh, are permissions required? He'd ask her the next time. She didn't appear mad and kissed him back, but... he would want to respect her space.

He can only wonder what she was thinking a moment ago. She appeared to struggle with her thoughts for a while. Now she has put her cup down and is focusing on her book. Lucky for her, she found one of Sherry Maran's. He's stuck with a children's comic he mistakenly pulled out in a haste. He looks down at his open book lying on the table. Ha, the graphics are great.

Just when he fully turns his attention to the centre page, he feels Thiya's gaze from across the table. He lifts his head up and flashes her a smile. She flashes him a fleeting half smile, her eyes clearly asking him, are you really that engrossed in your current read?

He shrugs in response. They finish their coffees and walk out, reluctantly parting with their books.

.

.

.

Seyon stops his car outside Asha Heights, where Thiya's flat is. The ride has been silent but a comfortable one. Disembarking, he and Thiya cross paths with Nair Uncle, who's taking a late evening walk. Noticing his favourite detective couple, the elderly man waves cheerily before picking up his pace to offer them privacy. Darkness has descended post dusk. "Not so fast," Thiya's warning hangs in the air, "Nair uncle, be careful."

For a long moment, she stands staring in the direction Nair Uncle went. Seyon breaks the cosy yet awkward silence. "Thiya..."

Thiya looks at him, "yes..."

Post Aran's shocking death, and the thrill of battle, they hadn't discussed their kiss or near confession. Neither of them know how to pick that conversation that Aran interrupted.

Seyon says nothing beyond her name, although he looks at her adoringly. Thiya chews her bottom lip, crossing her knuckles out of nerves. She would have loved to cling to her sling bag, but that's left in hall 57. Now there's nothing to hang on to. The streets are dark, Seyon's smile bright, making up for the lack of illumination of the streetlamps.

"The lights should be back soon, no, Seyon?"

Seyon's smile deepens at her random abrupt remarks.

"Oh, yes." Seyon looks around. Faint colours of sunset still invade the sky, a losing battle against the black of the night. A beautiful battle. The wind is balmy, the smell of a sudden storm in the air. The dramatic change of weather is quite romantic. Seyon thinks, then redirects his attention from the environment back to Thiya, forgetting why he said her name. He's certainly meant to ask for her answer, but lacks words. Besides, she deserves to hear a proper confession. Both of them do. How to get started? Silence reigns once more over the two of them.

"Seyon!" Thiya says suddenly. A determined look crosses her eyes. She has to say something. Seyon said all those beautiful words about why she's important to him and proved his loyalty, expressing how she's always the one for him. Now is her turn to do the honours.

"Seyon..." she utters his name and chuckles to herself. It's selfish, but she wants to hear his confession first, though it may sound unfair.

Seyon watches her struggle. Not wanting to put her in a state of disarray, he turns away hurriedly asking her to rest. They can meet tomorrow at the office.

"Seyon!" Thiya catches his arm. The street is empty. It's likely the heatwave that prevailed until a while ago and now the approaching thunderstorm that's dissuaded the locals from stepping out. Most of her neighbours are away on summer vacations, anyway. The locality is strangely peaceful. She's secretly thankful for the weather and local factors. She can have this moment with Seyon all to herself without being concerned about prying eyes.

"Seyon, I..." she looks at him, intertwining her fingers with his. Seyon's pulse hitches. Her own echoes in her ears, yet she keeps their eye contact steady.

"It's always you for me too, Seyon. All these years and... all the more years to come..."

Her quiet words strike Seyon's heart with an intensity he can't quite describe. The sincerity in her eyes, the love that's no longer concealed... He might lose himself if he keeps looking at her.

"So..." Thiya smiles, proud of herself for speaking her mind. There, she finally said it, returned his confession in his own style. "I love you... I never stopped loving you, Seyon... Do you... love me too?"

Seyon is stunned. He didn't think she would actually spell it. He kissed her and made an impromptu confession on the battlefield. And after the fight with Aran, he thought this wasn't the right time for rekindling old love, but hey, it's now or never, isn't it? Can someone wait and waste precious time? Especially having witnessed the fragility of life, gone with wind, with just a beam of laser? All the eight years that passed in ignorance and misery, the countless chances that passed by, the what-ifs and could-haves... Given all of that, he cannot waste any time. He cannot help but return Thiya's confession.

"Heh," he chuckles wryly, gripping her hand that holds his and closing the distance between them. "You beat me to saying it but... you can't always beat me..."

It's utterly insane that with those roundabout words, he dips his head down and kisses her. Thiya freezes at the unexpected move but returns his affections gripping his shoulder. She's swept away in the moment's sweetness, but realises they are in public.

She pulls away with a start, much to his disappointment.

"Haha..." as Seyon laughs to himself, mighty pleased, she can't help but crack a smile herself, despite the embarrassment and disbelief that Seyon would yet again pull a move on her.

"Seyon! What? Aren't you going to say something?!"

Thiya places a hand over her racing heart and glares at him. Despite her efforts not to, she can't stop smiling. Seyon cups her cheek. For a long while, he looks at her adoringly in complete silence. Thiya's cheeks take colour meanwhile, all the colours in the sunset if he were to say, especially the shades of red. In his eyes she looks like the most adorable woman in the entire universe, even with that embarrassed pout and trying to suppress her mirth.

Can she not detect he's nervous, too? It's nerve wracking; he's afraid he might screw up and hurt her unintendedly. Yet he just gave into his impulses again and can only hope she will love him for who he is. Heh, are you still questioning that when you just heard her confession, Seyon? Seyon berates himself. His thoughts soon scatter and any semblance he has leaves him with the passing seconds.

"What? I'm going to go inside..." Thiya pulls his hand away from her cheek and turns away. Or tries to turn away. He tugs on her hand and brings them close again.

"Thiya..." he looks into her eyes again and brushes her dislodged bangs. She's truly beautiful inside out — this sassy, fearless woman who's also sensitive deep down. He could look at her all day, and that wouldn't make up for their loss of eight years together.

"You are beautiful..."

Thiya smiles at his words. She can tell he's seeing her for who she is and finding her beautiful, despite all her flaws. What more can she want? This moment is perfect. She uttered those precious words, "I love you." Now if he were to return those affectionate words with such a passionate gaze, she might melt on the spot, which is unbecoming as she's a grown woman, a cop besides. Or maybe it's not unbecoming at all...

Seyon grips her chin with the gentle fingers of his other hand that's not holding hers. Their gazes collide again, sparks filling the corner of their vision as if it were a cosmic event. Smiles spread on their faces, bright and swift. Despite the world probably falling apart in a far corner, they have a reason to smile at this moment and that is each other. It is probably not a sin to smile or to keep smiling for each other. They don't need to be guilty. Thiya is not sure if her thoughts are making sense even to herself. One thing she's sure — She might lose her head if Seyon keeps staring at her with that smile full of love. Not to mention he looks so attractive at the moment, dashing, unlike her clumsy, stubborn self who's suppressing her blush. This is unacceptable!

Seyon puts his arms around her in a hug. Thiya looks up in surprise from within the confines of the hug and is rewarded with a kiss on the cheek. On the cheek... but it's a kiss!

"Seyon!" She pushes on his chest, but he doesn't budge. "You can't kiss me out of the blue like that!"

Seyon can't help but stay firm, very well knowing well the heart of his beloved. The sight of her, just the proximity of her is driving him insane, yet she pretends he's the only one feeling this way? "But you didn't resist at all... because you love me..."

Thiya suppresses a laugh. With a shake of her head, giving up her attempts to abscond, she puts her hands on Seyon's shoulders,"well, I just said I love you..."

Seyon smiles. Just simple words again and his heartis souring. "I love you too,  Thiya... I always have." He frowns and huffs. "God, how I wanted to say it first..."

"Hmm... you are always pulling surprise moves but have no chance with the real thing!"

"Huh, that's not... I was the one who said I love you all the years ago, remember?"

"Maybe?"

"What? You don't remember? Thiya?"

"Haha."

"Unfair."

Their banter causes them to laugh despite themselves.

"So..." Seyon's eyes turn serious, though a soft smile plays on his lips. "This time, my lady, will you grant the permission... To kiss you to my heart's content?"

Thiya chuckles, though she's sure her cheeks are aflame. "Ugh! Now who's unfair? Asking for permission... as if you would really wait for my yes!"

"Oh yes, waiting is a waste."

.

.

Seyon's lips land on hers, affectionate and tender. She puts her arms around his neck. Their shadows merge on the concrete as the streetlamps flicker to life as if the electric energy between them sparked their surroundings to light up.

It's still outside her apartment. This kind of thing is unacceptable in public—even the late hour doesn't matter. With these thoughts, Thiya tries to break the kiss. Seyon, reading her mind, holds her face with his palms. So the onlookers, if any chances a peek, can't exactly see what's happening, although they might have an idea.

The kiss goes on, Thiya losing her thoughts and any presence of mind. It's the same for him, but for aesthetics' sake, he guides them under the shadow of a tree where the two of them are not too obvious. Obscene public display of affection will it be called? They can't care less. They deserved this moment eight years later.

Even so, it can't go on for long... They pull away for aur and Thiya holds a finger to his lips, their foreheads touching.

"What if Nair uncle comes back and sees us like this? I'm going inside..."

With those words, she kisses his cheek and runs. By the time Seyon's eyes adjust to the reality of the world and the heady haze of old love rediscovered, fades, Thiya is past the apartment gates running up the stairs.

"Hey you can't leave me like this, Thi!" He yells after her and she pulls a funny face at him, mid-stairs, before resuming her climb.

"Haha!" He laughs to himself and waits until she's on the second floor in the corridor outside her flat.

"See you in the office tomorrow!" She catches her breath and looks at him, her smile as radiant as ever.

Seyon chuckles again and nods. Neither he nor

Thiya can keep their smiles away, both revelling in the aftermath of the wonderful confession and the kisses they shared.

Thiya notices the scent of rain suddenly intensified. It drizzles. Such sweet weather. "Ugh, it's raining hard already? Seyon is drenched."

"Seyon! Go home. Get in your car. Didn't I say I will see you tomorrow in the office?"

Seyon chuckles and runs a hand through his locks that are now dripping wet. "Yeah... hey, this is starting to feel like old days."

"Yeah..."

Thiya murmurs and lifts her hand in a parting gesture. "It will feel like old days and then it will get even better."

As Seyon waves back and turns away, she has the urge to convey her feelings once more. She has to yell so her voice reaches him over the sound of the pounding rain—

"Seyon! I love you! I always will love you —"

Seyon looks at her, his tall, lithe form completely slashed by rain—

"I love you too. I swear I always will. Always, forever."

The streetlights, surprisingly, remain so they can see each other's euphoria. The S-pin on Seyon's chest and the water trapped in his locks sparkle like diamonds.

They are reluctant to part, but Thiya takes one step back. Seeing her he does too, whole still facing her... and then they take one more together, one more... until he reaches his car and her back is pressed against her flat's main door. The rain slows down a bit. Now what?

"Seyon, Now I really have to turn away from you. Why don't you drive in your car...that way I can see you until you drive away..."

Seyon chuckles and yells his reply. "Stay where you are. I also want to see you... until I drive to the end of the street."

"Hehe, Seyon! That's sweet. We both are greedy. But keep your eyes on the road. This stormy weather — what if an accident happens?"

"Huh, chance eh ille. Nothing can come in our way now..."

"Haha. Yes. Chance eh ille. I know Seyon, take care. See you."

With that, she enters the house, content after watching him drive away. They maintained their eye contact until the end, as planned. And this is only the beginning.

The automatic lights turn on as thunder roars in the distance. CB lands on Thiya's shoulders with a flap of his wings. "CB!" Thiya smiles at her beautiful feathered baby. Her home is completely bird-safe that CB can fly around as pleases but this move is always surprising.

"Haha, you and Seyon are alike... With your surprise moves!"

CB looks at her. "Seyon? Seyon,Seyon!"

"Haha!" Thiya laughs as the parrot chants his name.

"What shenanigans are you up to, CB? Were you out by the window all the time? There is plenty of shade and lots of birds come around here, don't they? People should plant more trees instead of cutting them off. Yes... have you hung out with—"

In the middle of her usual talk with CB, her phone beeps. She pulls her hand back from petting CB. CB perches on her shoulder as she reads the message...

"A message from Seyon. He is so silly. Haha! He says I love you, I love you, I love you so much. So much, so much, so much, continued until infinity.... Haha, Seyon me too!"

"So what do you think, CB? Seyon and I are truly together! Okay, here I will reply. Seyon, I love you too. I love you so much, so much, so much, always until the end of the universe... Is it a fitting reply?"

CB chirps in appreciation. She scratches his neck. Her message is marked read and soon Seyon sends a few overjoyed emojis. "Haha."

Her joyful mood is contagious. CB chips happily and that is only the beginning of a beautiful evening for her and Seyon and many beautiful evenings to come.

.

.

Seyon drives home, smiling at the message he received. The euphoria is so much he cannot sleep even after he drives home. It's the same with Thiya, so in the next hour, they sit, chatting and video calling almost the entire night like a back of two teenagers irresistibly in love.

Eventually, they fall asleep at some late hour in the night. She, on her sofa with CB on her head. Seyon, atop of his messy blankets piled up on his bed.

Tomorrow is a new day. Duty surely comes the coming morning. Yet it is only the beginning of many beautiful things to come.

💫💛💫

tbc

yep. I changed the species of cb on purpose. ty if you noted this. 💛💫epilogues coming soon.💫💛 stay tuned. thank you 💓 for reading my story til here🎵