💜 Percy’s pov Jay looked at me.
Jay: “Perse.” Percy: “Hmm?” She pointed toward the temple entrance.
Jay: “You came all the way here.” I raised an eyebrow.
Percy: “Obviously.” She smiled.
Jay: “Then go.” I blinked.
Percy: “Go where?” She pointed toward the temple.
Jay: “For pooja.” I immediately understood.
Percy: “Oh.” Jay: “You came here, so at least pray.” I smiled.
Percy: “Okay, baby.” I stood up.
But before I could take even two steps— Josh spoke.
Josh: “Wait.” I turned around.
Everyone was staring at me.
Josh: “Can we come too?” I looked at Jay.
She immediately gave them a cold look.
Jay: “Why?” Edrix: “Because…” He looked toward the temple.
Edrix: “We don’t know what we’re supposed to do.” Rory nodded.
Rory: “Yeah.” Mayo: “And honestly, none of us even understand what this place is.” Kit: “We want to know.” Ci-N: “At least once.” Felix: “Please?” Yuri: “We’re not going to disturb anything.” Drew: “We’ll behave.” Denzel: “Promise.” Calix: “We just want to see.” Eren: “And learn.” Eman looked at Jay.
Eman: “If this place is important to you, we’d like to understand it.” Blaster nodded.
Blaster: “Yeah.” David remained quiet, but he also looked at Jay.
Keifer didn’t say anything.
He simply waited for her answer.
Aris stood slightly behind everyone.
Angelo also waited.
Jay crossed her arms.
Jay: “No.” Everyone’s faces fell.
Josh: “Why?” Jay: “Because you don’t know anything about it.” Josh: “That’s why we’re asking.” Jay: “And?” Edrix: “We won’t make fun of it.” Rory: “We promise.” Mayo: “We’ll follow whatever you tell us.” Jay looked at them.
Then she looked at me.
I could already tell what she was thinking.
I walked toward her.
Percy: “Baby…” She looked at me.
Percy: “Let them come.” Jay: “Perse.” Percy: “They’ll stay respectful.” Jay: “Are you sure?” I nodded.
Percy: “I’ll handle them.” She stared at me for several seconds.
Then she sighed.
Jay: “Fine.” Everyone immediately looked relieved.
Josh: “Really?” Jay: “One condition.” Everyone became serious.
Jay: “Nobody jokes.” Silence.
Jay: “Nobody touches anything without permission.” Another silence.
Jay: “And nobody disrespects Krishna.” Everyone nodded immediately.
Everyone: “Okay.” I smiled.
Percy: “See?” Jay narrowed her eyes at me.
Jay: “If they mess up, it’s your responsibility.” Percy: “Deal.” We slowly walked toward the temple.
The moment we entered, everyone became unusually quiet.
I could see the confusion on their faces.
The bells.
The flowers.
The lamps.
The peaceful atmosphere.
The idol of Krishna.
Everyone stared.
Josh whispered— Josh: “That’s Krishna?” Jay nodded.
Jay: “Yes.” Edrix looked carefully.
Edrix: “That’s your God?” Jay: “Yes.” Rory: “He looks…” He stopped.
Jay looked at him.
Rory quickly corrected himself.
Rory: “Beautiful.” Jay nodded.
Mayo looked around.
Mayo: “What do we do first?” Jay: “Remove your shoes.” Everyone looked down.
Kit: “Everyone?” Jay: “Everyone.” One by one, they removed their shoes.
Ci-N whispered to Felix— Ci-N: “This is very different from anything I’ve ever seen.” Felix nodded.
Felix: “Same.” Jay looked toward the entrance.
Jay: “Before entering the prayer area, you should keep your mind calm.” Eren: “Why?” Jay: “Because you’re here to pray.” Eren nodded seriously.
Eman: “And what exactly is Krishna?” Jay looked at him.
Jay: “Krishna is God.” She paused.
Jay: “For me, he’s not just someone I pray to.” Her voice softened.
Jay: “He’s someone I trust.” Nobody interrupted.
Jay: “When everything becomes too loud…” She looked toward Krishna.
Jay: “I come here.” Everyone became quiet.
Even Keifer.
Even Aris.
Even Angelo.
Jay continued.
Jay: “You don’t need complicated words.” Josh: “Then what do we say?” Jay: “Whatever comes from your heart.” Drew: “That’s it?” Jay nodded.
Jay: “That’s it.” I smiled.
Percy: “She’s right.” Everyone looked at me.
Percy: “Pooja isn’t about showing off.” I looked toward Krishna.
Percy: “It’s about devotion.” Jay glanced at me.
She smiled.
Then she showed everyone how to stand.
Jay: “Fold your hands.” Everyone copied her.
Josh awkwardly folded his hands.
Edrix copied him.
Rory copied Edrix.
Mayo followed.
Kit.
Ci-N.
Felix.
Yuri.
Keifer.
David.
Drew.
Denzel.
Calix.
Eren.
Eman.
Blaster.
Aris.
Angelo.
Everyone.
Jay noticed how awkward they looked.
She almost smiled.
Jay: “Relax.” Josh whispered— Josh: “I’m trying.” Jay: “You’re standing like you’re attending a business meeting.” Josh immediately loosened his shoulders.
Everyone almost laughed.
Even Jay.
For a few minutes, she explained the simple steps.
How to stand.
How to fold hands.
How to receive prasad respectfully.
How to bow.
Why the bells were there.
Why flowers were offered.
Why the diya was lit.
Why people came to the temple.
The boys listened carefully.
Even though they didn’t understand everything…
They were trying.
That mattered.
Then the pooja began.
The bells rang.
The atmosphere changed.
Jay became completely still.
Her eyes closed.
Her hands folded.
There was something different about her.
The ruthless girl disappeared.
The anger disappeared.
The pain disappeared.
She simply stood there…
Peaceful.
I watched her.
And smiled.
Then I noticed everyone else.
Josh was trying very hard to follow her.
Edrix kept looking at everyone else to make sure he wasn’t doing anything wrong.
Rory had his eyes closed but occasionally opened one eye to check what everyone was doing.
Mayo was completely serious.
Kit was quietly observing everything.
Ci-N looked genuinely fascinated.
Felix was trying to memorize everything.
Yuri looked unusually calm.
Keifer stared at Krishna for a long moment.
David quietly folded his hands.
Drew followed Jay carefully.
Denzel looked curious.
Calix looked peaceful.
Eren seemed thoughtful.
Eman was quietly taking everything in.
Blaster looked amazed.
Aris…
He was silent.
For once, there was no anger on his face.
Angelo stood beside him.
Both simply watched.
And Jay…
She prayed.
I didn’t know exactly what she was asking Krishna for.
But I knew one thing.
Whatever she asked for…
I hoped she received it.
After the pooja ended, everyone came outside.
We sat near the temple.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
Nobody spoke for a few minutes.
Then— Josh broke the silence.
Josh: “Okay.” Everyone looked at him.
Josh: “I have questions.” Jay immediately sighed.
Jay: “Of course you do.” Josh: “What’s prasad?” Jay: “The food offered during pooja and then shared with everyone.” Josh: “So it’s blessed food?” Jay nodded.
Josh: “Oh.” He smiled.
Josh: “I like that.” Edrix laughed.
Edrix: “You didn’t even taste it yet.” Josh: “I’m optimistic.” Everyone laughed softly.
Then Rory asked— Rory: “Why do people ring the bell?” Jay explained.
Jay: “It’s traditionally associated with entering the temple and focusing your mind on prayer.” Rory nodded.
Mayo: “And the flowers?” Jay: “They’re offered as a sign of devotion.” Kit: “And the diya?” Jay: “Light.” Kit: “I know it’s light.” Jay looked at him.
Kit: “I mean…
why light?” Jay smiled faintly.
Jay: “Because light represents positivity and removes darkness.” Kit nodded slowly.
Ci-N: “That’s actually beautiful.” Felix: “Yeah.” Drew looked at Jay.
Drew: “So you’ve been doing this since you were young?” Jay nodded.
Jay: “Yes.” Denzel: “Does it always make you this calm?” Jay looked toward Krishna.
Jay: “Yes.” Calix: “Even when you’re angry?” Jay: “Especially then.” Eren: “Why?” Jay: “Because Krishna reminds me that anger shouldn’t control me.” Everyone became quiet.
Eman: “And what does Krishna mean to you?” Jay thought for a moment.
Then she smiled.
Jay: “Everything.” Keifer looked at her.
Keifer: “Everything?” Jay nodded.
Jay: “Friend.” She paused.
Jay: “Guide.” Another pause.
Jay: “Family.” Her voice softened.
Jay: “And home.” Nobody knew what to say.
Aris looked away.
Angelo remained quiet.
After that, the conversation changed.
For almost an hour…
We just sat there.
They asked Jay about Indian traditions.
About festivals.
About why people decorated temples.
About why she wore a saree.
About why she preferred coming here alone.
They even asked about the puppy.
Josh: “Can we take him home?” Jay immediately looked at him.
Jay: “No.” Josh: “I didn’t even finish.” Jay: “I know what you were going to say.” Everyone laughed.
The conversation became surprisingly normal.
No arguments.
No accusations.
No Section E drama.
Just…
People talking.
And for that one hour…
Jay actually looked happy.
We were still sitting outside when something caught my attention.
A group of people nearby had started dancing.
Music was playing.
People were moving in circles.
Clapping.
Dancing.
I immediately recognized it.
Raas.
My eyes widened.
I looked at Jay.
She was still talking to David.
I leaned toward her.
Percy: “Baby.” Jay turned.
Jay: “Hmm?” I pointed toward the group.
Percy: “Look.” Her eyes followed my finger.
The moment she saw them— Her entire face changed.
Her eyes widened.
A huge smile appeared.
Jay: “RAAS!” I laughed.
Percy: “I knew you’d want to go.” She immediately stood.
Jay: “Come!” Percy: “Wait!” Too late.
She grabbed my hand.
Jay: “We’re going.” Everyone stared at us.
Josh: “Where?” Jay: “Raas.” Drew: “What’s Raas?” Jay’s eyes were already shining.
Jay: “Dance.” Josh immediately stood.
Josh: “Dance?” Jay: “Yes.” Keifer looked confused.
Keifer: “You’re going to dance?” Jay looked at him.
Jay: “Yes.” Then she turned toward me.
Jay: “Come on, Perse!” Percy: “I’m coming!” We walked toward the group.
Behind us— Everyone followed.
The music started.
Jay immediately joined.
And I swear…
I had never seen her this happy.
She started moving with the music.
Her saree moved with every turn.
Her bangles made soft sounds.
Her smile became brighter.
She wasn’t thinking about Jeena.
She wasn’t thinking about Section E.
She wasn’t thinking about the mansion.
She wasn’t thinking about anything painful.
She was just…
Happy.
Purely happy.
I joined her.
We started playing Raas together.
Everyone behind us was frozen.
Josh: “WHAT IS HAPPENING?” Edrix: “She’s actually dancing!” Rory: “I’ve never seen Jay this happy.” Mayo: “She looks completely different.” Kit: “Look at her smile.” Ci-N: “I’ve never seen that expression on her face.” Felix: “Same.” Yuri stared silently.
Keifer couldn’t take his eyes off her.
David smiled softly.
Drew looked amazed.
Denzel whispered— Denzel: “She’s glowing.” Calix nodded.
Calix: “Yeah.” Eren smiled.
Eren: “She really loves this.” Eman watched quietly.
Eman: “This is the happiest I’ve seen her.” Blaster looked at Percy.
Blaster: “You knew she would react like that?” I smiled.
Percy: “Of course.” Then Aris spoke quietly.
Aris: “I’ve never seen her like this.” Angelo nodded.
Angelo: “Neither have I.” Jay suddenly spun around.
Her saree flowed beautifully around her.
She laughed.
Actually laughed.
We moved faster with the music.
She was laughing so hard that she nearly lost her balance.
I immediately caught her hand.
Percy: “Careful!” She laughed.
Jay: “I’m fine!” I shook my head.
Percy: “You’re impossible.” Jay: “And you’re still following me.” Percy: “Always.” She smiled.
Then we continued.
Behind us, Section E just watched.
Keifer’s expression was complicated.
He had never seen this Jay.
The Jay who smiled without forcing it.
The Jay who laughed without hiding it.
The Jay who looked completely free.
David looked genuinely happy for her.
Aris seemed almost stunned.
Angelo quietly smiled.
And the others…
They finally understood something.
The girl they had seen at Fernandez Mansion wasn’t the whole Jayjay.
There was another side of her.
A side that belonged to Krishna.
To her culture.
To this temple.
To music.
To Raas.
And most importantly…
To happiness.
I looked at her while we danced.
And I thought— Maybe this was the Jay I had been protecting all along.
Not the ruthless girl.
Not the fighter.
Not the girl who could destroy anyone who crossed her.
Just…
My baby.
Smiling.
Happy.
Free.
And for that moment…
Nothing else mattered.