Episode-2

Kael accepted the bouquet with a shy smile, his fingers brushing lightly against the white peonies.

"You're later than usual" he said softly.

"Sorry, I had an important meeting - it took more time than I expected. That's why I'm late. And I'm sorry I didn't inform you beforehand," Warith replied, his voice sincere.

"You don't need to apologize," Kael said gently. "I already prepared dinner for you. Let me inform the Phi's and reheat the food , okay?"

Warith smiled at that - warm, almost relieved.

"After dinner, can I take you home? Yours, not mine," he added quickly.

Kael raised an eyebrow, hesitation flickering across his face. He had already planned to go grocery shopping with his Phi's.

Not missing it, Warith chuckled softly and lifted his hands in surrender and said "It's okay. Another day then if not today."

Kael smiles again, softly with a sorry look this time, holding the bouquet a little closer.

Some things didn't need to be rushed.

Some beginnings were worth waiting for.

"No need to wait for another day. We can handle the grocery shopping ourselves, Kael. Go and enjoy your little date, okay," Jade said playfully as she walked in from the kitchen with Nanthini.

"P'Jade, it's not a date," Kael protested, his cheeks turning rosy. "We were just talking about taking a little walk."

"Okay, okay, we'll accept that excuse," Nanthini said with a laugh. "Come on, Jade, let's go before our nong Kael turns into a beetroot. And Kael, i've already put the food in the microwave to reheat it, alright?"

"Thank you, Phi. P'Wa, let's go and eat, okay" Kael said, heading towards the kitchen while subtly signalling Warith to follow him.

As Kael disappeared inside the kitchen, Jade and Nanthini turned to Warith. The playful nature they had with Kael faded, replaced by something calm but serious and dangerous too.

"We're letting him go with you for tonight because we know he wants to give you a chance and thinking about this for a while" Nanthini said evenly.

"So don't try any funny business, Mr.Warith, I'll break your fingers one by one if you touch him without permission" Jade added, nodding firmly in agreement.

"We know Kael can take care of himself," Nanthini continued, "but as his Phi's, this is our warning to you"

Warith met their gaze, understanding clearly in his eyes.

Kael wasn't just someone they cared about... He was someone they protected.

Warith with a little panic in voice but his genuine words and steady but slightly shuttered voice said "I'm not trying to do anything funny with Kael, I genuinely love him.... And.. I want him in my life until our hair turns grey and our skin wrinkles."

Jade and Nanthini exchanged a look, cheesy lines but okay, they slowly nodded at him and turned to leave.

From inside the kitchen, Kael had heard everything from the door. His eyes welled up, and his chest felt tight, and he thought 'At last, maybe I can have a family of my own'.

Someone who loves me-- unlike what happened in the past.

He quickly wiped his eyes and called out to Warith, asking him to come for dinner.

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