"Cock-a-doodle-doo"
The first rooster crowed at dawn, it crys faint and distant across the quite countryside. But it didn't wake them.
They lay close under thin cotton sheets, their arms and legs wrapped around each other, Kavi was overprotective cause he fear he might leave again like that night.
It wasn't until nearly 11:30 am, that Kavi stirred. He blinked slowly the soft sunlight slipping through the curtains hitting his face.
The room was warm and still. Beside him, Kiaan lay on his stomach, bare back glowing in the light, breathing slow and steady like he didn't have a care in the world. His arm was draped over Kavi's waist, fingers resting against his side.
Kavi could've gotten up. Slipped out of Kiaan's arms, found his clothes, faced the day like he was supposed to. But he didn't. He couldn't.
He lay still, barely breathing, like moving might break whatever was holding him together. The night was gone, and reality was creeping back in loud, ugly, and waiting to crush him. The engagement, the fittings, the fake smiles, the lies. It all felt like a noose tightening around his neck.
His stomach turned. He didn't want to go back. Not yet.
He turned his head and just looked at Kiaan for a moment. Really looked. Took in the curve of his lashes, the tiny crease between his brows, the way his mouth softened in sleep. Like nothing had ever hurt him.
Kavi leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth, a soft and a careful one.
Kiaan shifted a little, a slow smile tugging at his lips as his eyes fluttered open. "Hey, baby," he murmured, voice low and sleepy.
Kavi's smile was small but real. "Hey," he said, almost under his breath.
Neither of them moved. The room still smelled like last night skin, sweat, all the emotions lingering in the room.
Kavi phone was somewhere across the room, probably dead. He didn't care. He didn't want to be the polite son today. Or the calm, collected one who always smiled and said the right thing.
He just wanted this.
To be held.
To matter.
To feel like someone's choice, not an obligation.
"I don't want to go back yet," Kavi said, his voice low but clear. "I just… want a little more time. Like this. With you."
Kiaan's fingers slid slowly through his hair, soft and unhurried. "Fitting's today," he murmured, like he didn't really want to say it. "For the engagement stuff."
There it was. The weight. The thing that kept creeping in no matter how far they ran.
Kavi's chest tightened. But he didn't break. He was too drained to cry, too numb for panic.
He just pressed his forehead to Kiaan's, like maybe if he stayed close enough, none of it would matter.
"Let's stay," he whispered. "Just for the week. No calls. No drama. Just us. We can figure everything else out later."
His voice shook a little. But he meant it.
Kiaan didn't say anything right away. But he didn't let go either. His hand kept tracing slow lines down Kavi's back, steady and warm.
After thinking it over for a while, Kiaan finally agreed, he'd hurt Kavi too much by not giving him what he wanted.
He reached over to the bedside shelf, picked up his phone, and dialed his father's number. The phone had been intentionally switched off until now.
His dad answered right away.
"Where have you been, young man?" his father asked, sounding both annoyed and concerned.
Kiaan stayed calm. "I took a quick private trip to Jaipur to meet one of my investors. I know it's engagement season, but I need to close this deal. I'll be back Sunday," he said smoothly.
His father, always business-minded, didn't argue. "Close it fast. I want to see you home by Saturday. Today's Tuesday, you've got four days. I'll cover for you with your mother," he assured.
"Later, sir," Kiaan said, hanging up.
A small, satisfied smile flickered on Kavi's face. Kiaan glanced at him. "Happy now? Aren't you going to call your mom or something?"
"I'm not the bride or the groom. My absence won't raise many eyebrows. And Kiki's safe with Amma," Kavi shrugged. "If they call, fine."
He was right. Since the preparations started, he'd basically become a ghost in his own home. Not even his friends really noticed.
Last night, he planned to have a quick conversation with Kiaan and leave right after but things didn't go as expected. Instead, he chose to put himself and his heart first.