Aran's email links an audio file on a cloud-share site. The password encrypted file is difficult to download, as Aran hadn't mentioned it. As Thiya works, she's sure Aran specifically must have thought she'd enjoy this challenge. Now they were both tech geeks by the soul, so she could understand why he'd think so. And he isn't wrong, per se. Except that Seyon is impatient while waiting and is constantly whistling silly tunes under his breath.

Haha... that whimsical cowboy tune, it's such a horrendously out of tuned melody, thank goodness no one is around. Else Seyon would be sure to be made fun of.

Now, as his lover, she isn't insulting his voice. He has a sweet yet raspy voice and a smile that melts anyone. He would have made a brilliant singer. Except that he can only sing notes in staccato. It's relaxing. His hummed tunes have always helped her relax in the past — whether it was while they prepared for IPS or working on cases that required tiresome stakeouts. It's... soothing. She works faster with this thought on mind.

Seyon, meanwhile, smiles in the background, witnessing the slight smile and the myriad of emotions on her face. She's an open book to read, like he mentioned the other day. He can understand what she's thinking.

She must be surely feeling nostalgic, thinking about his utterly out of tune songs he just whistled. Yet she's such that she can only enjoy. It's a mutual feeling. They have always enjoyed each other's company so much, it's hard to put in words why. Love... is one way to put it. He lost this treasure trove for eight years but now has reclaimed it. Just being with her is a miracle of sorts now that he's thankful to the heavens each day.

"All done..."

Thiya whispers and plays the recording on her laptop. With those words, all her and Seyon's senses are all alert.

"So I heard these awful rumours about Kavya. She was bossy and what not... that's why I chose to end her life. To be honest, it was her security. They were already alert, according to the reports of the media and the rumours about the slasher. They suspected the slasher might target her next and sought extra security. And then, the chance to work for her fell into my life... When I first met her, I saw she was the epitome of beauty and ruthlessness. What was I to do? I was apprehensive about the rumours spreading. Working with her is like trudging on thin ice. I was dreading the investigators might reach me."

"I can't believe it... He chose Kavya because the press was speculating about it." Seyon shakes his head, suppressing a sigh. "The media can be a curse and a blessing."

"And then I made a mistake... I wanted to know who's investigating the case. Who was throwing rocks into the darkness? I bribed a local SI to give me the case details. He doublecrossed me and may have revealed something about me to someone on the SIT team. So I had to... and then he was a double standard person... who tried to exploit me. Such a cop shouldn't exist. I know it doesn't justify my actions..."

"That's why he killed the SI..." Thiya murmurs mostly to herself. "Truly, Aran might as well be the ambassador of enforcing justice in the most barbaric way."

Seyon nods. "That's one way to put it."

Thiya resumes playing the recording they paused. Aran's voice continues the tale again.

"As I worked with Kavya, at first, I was intrigued and then enthralled. I questioned my actions more often than before. We resonated with each other, understood each other. We were both two lost souls in a sea of wanderers in this fragile yet cruel world. Our difficult childhood, dreams, aspirations, we had so much in common. Even the trait of being misjudged by others... Soon, I realised I was wrong about her. The rumours I heard — they were rumours, after all. It was vexing, yet it was beautiful... I wondered if we were two normal individuals under different circumstances, how would our lives have unfolded? Whatever I was thinking and doing, I somehow lost it along the way. I grew close to my target, and it was bound to ruin me."

"If someone is hearing me speak this way, it means everything ended. Just pass my forgiveness to Kavya and those countless other not so innocent souls that had to depart this world... Perhaps I too am joining them at this moment? There will be a place in hell for bastards such as us."

Those are Aran's last words. Thiya, Seyon remain in a daze processing what they heard.

"Aran is crazy. Mira was right. He was full of conflicting emotions. Yet none of that justifies his actions. And," Thiya says, pointing to the code she used to decrypt. "The credentials of this email and where it came from... I mean, the way this was programmed... the mail would be sent through his smartwatch when his pulse would be zero. Crazy use of technology."

"With all his talent, I'm glad Aran didn't turn into a mad scientist. He still possessed some rationality. I'm sure he fell in love with Kavya. And that surely changed him. It could have saved his life... but alas! Love is beautiful yet devastating."

Beautiful yet devastating... Thiya repeats those words in her head. No one but Seyon could have described love this correctly. Love requires a delicate balance between trust, emotions, and actions. It's indeed the most beautiful thing. But any misstep would be devastating.

"Do you think he truly loved Kavya, Seyon? Hmm. But he turned into a slasher. Either way, I think professor Arindam restricted resources. If only he encouraged Aran's research in the right direction..."

Seyon shakes his head. Thiya also falls silent. This information will also be added to the report.

Thiya shuts his computer and her laptop after transferring the audio file to her device. Seyon moves away from her chair and gives her room as she rises. A couple of helping staff enter hall 57. Thiya follows Seyon to the side of the room. They stand there, watching in mute silence as the last of the equipment in hall 57 is emptied.

Seyon can only think that the computer is still his. It will be placed in a different room, but it will remain his. Thiya finds him lost in thought and taps his shoulder.

"Seyon..."

"Hm?" Seyon folds his arms, brushes a hand over the front of his blazer, fingers touching and feeling the cold S-lapel pin. He only looks at Thiya when she taps him again.

"What?" he inclines his head and stares at her.

"You're staring at the computer. Anything else I need to crack?"

Seyon chuckles at that innocent question. "No. I was thinking you won't be next to my desk. I'd be lonely. Even my computer will be."

Thiya laughs out loud, thinking it's such a cheesy answer. But it's so Seyon-like. "Haha... you dork! You better not fall for any advances of your new teammate next to you then. You can always rely on me to check your computer, right?"

"Oh, yeah." Seyon smirks, then recognition flashes in his eyes. "Wait... when did I encourage any advances?"

Thiya frowns in disapproval. "Did you forget Kavya was all over you? I mean, now that I think it might be a tiny teenage crush, and she might have truly loved Aran... But..."

She trails off. Seyon's smirk deepens. The other day, they met with Kavya to tell what happened with Aran. It was an impromptu, informal meeting where he and Thiya were the only participants paying a visit to the actress' house. A meeting with film chamber officials was also arranged, chaired by the ACP, where the officers all assured the film chamber is no longer plagued by the slasher threat.

"Huh, maybe... Kavya did admire me..." Seyon recalls the pretty actress' smile but brushes off the image and all memories of the meetings he earlier recalled, and gives Thiya a keen look.

"You're still frowning, Thiya? Aha! You're jealous!"

"Huh, who's jealous?" Thiya folds her arms and looks away. She pretends to be annoyed, but a smile still plays on her lips. Seyon playfully pokes her in the forehead.

"But hey, this isn't the first I'm hearing about your jealousy towards Kavya. Back then, all the snark, was it because of—"

"Stop! Enough!" Thiya smacks Seyon's arm. "Don't you complete that sentence! Okay, well, maybe I was jealous... So what?"

"Haha..."

Seyon laughs and flicks her forehead. "You're cute," he whispers. She elbows him in the ribs and reminds him to behave. They leave hall 57 together, relieved of their duties. It's a pleasant evening.

***

Seyon, Thiya arrive in the parking lot together. A few blocks away is Soham, with Mira climbing behind him on his bike.

Seyon, Thiya have the same collective thoughts — another day that Soh, Mira are riding together? They look like a cosy pair, did one of them finally confess?

"I bet it was Mira..." Seyon, Thiya say in unison. They shake their heads and laugh at their perfectly synchronised outburst.

"Huh, that idiot," Seyon places a hand over his hip and shakes his head, eyes focused on Soham. "I will give him three days to reveal his relationship status to me. Else I might give him a lifetime sentence of paying our music bar expenses."

"Haha. Since when have you become the district attorney?" Thiya dumps her bag into the passenger seat of Seyon's car and gives him a sideways glance.

"I'm his best friend," Seyon slips on his giggles and smirks, "And that makes me his attorney."

"Haha! Seyon, you're so funny!"

"I know, and charming, aren't I? Isn't that why you fell for me?"

"Huh? Who said? You're incorrigible but... loveable. My poor heart chose you and... it will choose you over and over again, I am sure..."

"Ah, yes..."

Thiya hides the expression in her eyes behind her oversized pair of retro goggles. Seyon doesn't miss a beat. The last of her words are filled with a warm emotion that he also feels overwhelming. Unable to stop himself, he just places his arm over her shoulders. The touch is brief because they are still on the office premises in the parking lot.

Thiya ducks her head for a moment but soon smiles at him, a beautiful smile that renders him breathless. He pulls her cheek, stopping himself from kissing the said spot. Ahem.

Half embarrassed and aghast at her cheesy words, she giggles and climbs into his car. He climbs behind the wheel. The palms of their free hands co-join once the engine revs to life. Seyon manoeuvres the car with one hand and the ride home begins.

.

.

.

Arriving at her house, he lounges on the sofa, browsing the news on the TV. The lingering summer heat that he discarded his blazer, unbuttoned his collar so he can breathe and unwind. His is still formal attire because she quickly changes into comfy casuals once she joins him in the living room.

They sit chatting for a bit, pampering CB with treats.

Night soon falls. Thiya prepared dinner all by herself, denying any help. So Seyon watches her move about in the kitchen once again, thinking how blessed he is to have reclaimed this.

Thiya is euphoric, also nervous. It's actually sweet that Seyon turned off the tv so he can focus on her! He even said it aloud. Uttered those cheesy words that melted her heart. That, and his heart-stoppingly beautiful smile — she's indeed a blessed woman to have such a man in her life. And, even more so because the eight years gap and those bitter feelings originating from misunderstandings haven't ruined their bond.

Dinner is a cosy affair. To Seyon, Thiya's homemade food is his favourite, even if it is simple pongal and aviyal.

"Oh damn, I forgot to make dessert. I mean, you haven't been in my home in ages and..."

Thiya trails off while they put away their dishes in the sink.

"What's in it, Thiya? I can visit often now, right?"

"Huh, you should. But I will still bake a dessert now."

"And I will help!"

This time, Seyon insists and helps her bake a cake. It's not the first time they baked together. They would do this back in the day when exam stress, or their duties, were too pressing. This isn't their first time, yet the mood between them is mushy and tinged with breathless laughter and a hint of awkwardness.

As they sit together on the carpet after relishing delicious vanilla and chocolate cupcakes, CB abandons playing with his chew toy and joins them, nuzzling his head against Seyon's cheek.

"Aww, you little thing. I love you too," Seyon whispers. CB lightly nips his finger affectionately. Then perches on Thiya's head.

Seyon scoots forward and kisses the top of CB's head. "Haha, you're so sweet... thank you for the love and..."

"Thank you.." Seyon suddenly looks at Thiya and kisses her on the lips.

To say Thiya is taken aback is an understatement. They both had been lounging on the carpet in the living room. The mood is casual, nothing romantic, at least in her head. Okay, the mood may have been sweet, but...

"Seyon, why?"

Seyon smiles and cups her cheek with one hand. "I had to thank you for all the love. All these years worth of love and all the years to come."

"Seyon..."

Thiya can't find the right words to respond. She scoots closer and hugs Seyon, resting her head on his shoulder. He wraps his arms around her in a tight hug. CB, meanwhile, makes a quick escape and lands on his favourite perch — the bird stand next to Thiya's desk.

Thunder roars in the distance, the sound of rain soon reaches Seyon and Thiya's ears. The downpour plus CB's ecstatic shrieks are a pleasant melody. That and each other's company, the epitome of serenity. A storm might soon come their way, but they have each other and any darkness or storm can't upturn their lives now.

(author's note: or will it? find out in sequel :P )

***

That weekend Soham Mira ride on the formers bike. Seyon, Thiya on the latter's. It's a lazy ride along the beach ride to the music bar. A double date one may call. The friends are all thrilled about this outing. As they park outside, Seyon helps Thiya pick a perfect parking spot, then hand in hand he guides her ahead into the Music Bar.

More couples follow suit before Soham, Mira can join them. Mira looks at Soham as they reach for each other's hands.

"Soham, we'll be together always like Seyon, Thiya, right? In fact, I want all of us to share these bonds all our lives. Am I greedy?

Soham shakes his head. They make past the entranceway. They locate Seyon and Thiya at a table.

"You're not greedy, Mira," Soham says. "And we'll share these bonds all life long. All of us will be together. Always."

"Always..." Mira repeats. They walk over to Seyon and Thiya. A day of merriment has only begun.

 ***

💛💫FIN💛💫

💛💫Up next: Sequel details... Yes the story continues!! Stay tuned for the next Sunday for the details!😄😇

💫💛Special Ending Author's note/AN: after a nightmarish evening and I spent the entire night in the emergency ward of a hospital ...💔💔 didn't think I would manage to update, but here it is! 💔❣

Hope it was your worthwhile.💗🎵 Please vote, comment your opinions on the story. It would give me highly needed motivational boost to keep going. Yes, situation is better now but that doesn't lessen the stress or the woes of the ho-hum life of an author. 😇💫

tysm for reading this story!💛💫 i truly appreciate and thank every reader who has read, voted, commented/left random votes at any point in the story. tysm you all, wish you the best in your lives. hopeful to connect with you in the sequel <3💓🎵