❃.✮:▹ ◃:✮.❃
The final bell rang. The final exam week was finally over, and chaos officially had a hall pass. Juli burst through the doors like a glitter bomb.
Juli: We survived hell!! Now let's burn some cash onnnn shopinggg, anyone??!
Prez, still half-asleep from the math paper, " Do I have a choice?"
Jean, slinging his bag over one shoulder, raised a brow, "Is this about therapy or fashion crime ?"
Juli grinning wickedly, " Both."
_____
A few hours later, they are knee-deep in chaos. Prez was shoved into a changing room with outfits that violated several fashion laws ... .neon jumpsuits, a pink feather boa, cat ears, and a suspiciously glittery tutu.
Prez from inside the changing room, " If I die here, bury me in glitter."
Jake was busy taking photos like a fu*king paparazzi . Jake, " Oh, this one's going on the group chat."
Sam: Should we be concerned or impressed?
Ray: Both. Also, I'm stealing the cat ears.
They all gave a sneaky grin to him for what Ray regretted saying that. Jean entered just in time to see Prez step out wearing a sparkly hoodie.
Jean: Is that a chicken onesie?
Prez: It's fashion.
Sam: The real crime is that she kinda pulls it off.
Ray: Ten bucks says Juli is trying to sneak one into his bag.
Juli beamed like a proud mother. " Fashion is war, and Prez is winning."
As Prez strutted in a pair of platform boots, two familiar shadows entered the store.
Jean blinked, " Wait …is this deja vu? Or just trauma?"
Rowon,adjusting his glasses with a sigh, " Unfortunately for you,it's both."
Rai looked like someone just sentenced him to babysit annabelle.
Jake grinning, " What brings the big boys to our little circus?"
Rowon: Guess what? We will see each other more often now.
They all looked at each other in confusion. That's when Rai broked the confusion while staring at a leather jacket that caught his eyes or more like that's the reason they entered the shop.
Rai while picking the jacket from the hanger, " We've been assigned to keep you kids alive during the charity event in Phuket."
Sam: Assigned ? Like babysitters?
Jake: Who's getting the pacifier ?
Rowon: You. Obviously.
Jake scoffed.
Jean: What did we ever do to deserve you ?
Rai: Breath.
Prez: Oh this is gonna be fun.
In the end they started to shop together because they got nothing else to do and they are going the same way anyway. Meanwhile,
Rai was browsing through a rack of sleek black jackets — exactly his style. He grinned to himself and grabbed one, heading straight to the changing rooms to try it on. Not far behind, Jean was eyeing some dark, sharp-looking shirts, and went to the fitting room.
As Jean stepped into the changing room, he noticed something strange— the room had two doors. One in front of him, and another directly opposite.
He frowned, " Huh, that's weird."
Jean tried the short on, admiring himself in the mirror, while Rai stepped inside through the other door.
Jean's eyes met Rai's in the mirror, surprise flashing between them.
Rai smirking with a familiar tease, " Guess the universe wants us to get closer."
Jean gave a half-smile, " Or it's fate making us suffer together."
Rai took a step closer, voice low, " You know, suffering with you doesn't sound too bad."
Cheeky.
Jean's eyes flicked to the second door behind Rai— it wasn't locked.
Perfect.
He moved to walk past, brushing Rai's shoulder— but suddenly, Rai's hand shot out and he twisted Jean's arm gently but firmly, pulling him against his chest.
They both huffed. The air between them turned thick. Eyes locked. Breathing uneven. Lips just inches apart. One wrong move or one very right one — and they'd kiss.
Jean's voice was low, sharp with challenge.
" Very eager to try me?"
Rai: A kid like you?
Jean: If I'm a kid, then why am I in your arms?
Rai leaned in, voice like silk wrapping around fire, " A good question. Can I ask a VERY good question too?"
Jean raised a brow, suspicious, " What?"
Rai's eyes gleamed with mischief, " When will you turn legal?"
Jean froze. Then shoved Rai back with a glare enough to cut glass.
The door behind him creaked open with the force. Rai just chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck like he hadn't just dropped a verbal bomb.
But as Jean stormed out, flustered.
His ear's red, cheeks darker than usual.
Only one person caught it.
From across the aisle, Sam leaned against a rack of sunglasses, watching with a smug grin. And whispering to himself, " Ohhhh… someone's blushing."
Juli: Do you hear tension, or is it just sexual frustration?
Ray: Both. Definitely both.
Prez: Someone take notes. This is peak entertainment.
Rowon while sipping a cup of coffee, " This trip will kill me."
______
Bags in hands, sanity left somewhere in the fitting rooms, the gang finally trudged toward the parking lot.
Juli while holding a bunch of suspiciously heavy bags, " I regret nothing!"
Prez while carrying five bags and a face full of trauma, " I regret everything."
Jake grinning, " You looked majestic."
Prez glared at him.
He opened the car door for her with a smirk.
Jake, " Get in, your majesty."
Prez: If you call me that again, I will throw a stiletto at your head.
She still got in, muttering curses the whole time.
Sam yawning, hanging off Jean, " Let's just crash at your place. Too tired to walk straight."
Jean side-eyeing, " You say like you weren't the one laughing for three hours straight at Prez in a pineapple dress."
Sam: Worth it.
They walked off, shoulders brushing.
Ray and Juli waved goodbye, their arms heavy with bags, energy negative.
________
Dim lights. Quiet. Comfort.
Jake tossed his bag onto the floor, stretched like a cat, and collapsed. He joined later after dropping Prez. He couldn't miss the night crash at Jean's place as he is Jean's self proclaimed best friend. These three will leave together tomorrow. Ray and Juli will join them later.
Sam: One more sleep, than… beaches, chaos and charity.
Jean: And Sage.
Sam grinning slowly and whispered to himself, " Gonna be fun."
_______
The lights in the commander's office were dim, casting long shadows across the files stacked like the sins no one wanted to remember.
Commander: Shut the door.
Rowon exchanged a look with Rai as he closed the door behind them. Rai, naturally, didn't blink— he leaned against the desk like this was his damn living room.
Commander slid a file across the table. " You guys are headed to Phuket tomorrow, right?"
Rai: You're asking as if a few days ago you didn't drop that bomb on us.
Commander: How thoughtful of you to remind me.
Rowon just elbowed Rai. And Made a look that said don't say a fucking word if you don't wanna get jobless. And Rai understood.
Commander: We've had recent disappearances in the town. Same pattern as the copycat.… .
He opened the folder. Photos . A few crime scenes shot personal belongings— bracelet, phone, a bloody hairpin. But no body.
Commander: Again no corpses. Only these clues were left behind.
Rowon gritting his teeth, " So no organ harvesting this time?"
Commander nodding grimly, " Exactly. We believe it's a connected thread, either a revival or someone trying to finish the job."
Rai flipped a photo lazily, eyebrow twitching.
Rai: Are we talking about one guy? A team?
Commander: No confirmed suspect. Only trail we've got … . is in Phuket.
Rowon: And you're sending us?
Commander: You're already heading there. Babysitting, right? Use that as cover. Investigate discreetly.
Rai grinning, " Finally. Something fun."
Rowon shot him a seriously? Look
Commander: Your main goal is to observe. Report. If possible, extract any suspect's quietly. We don't need another media frenzy.
Rai: Define 'quietly .'
Commander: Meaning no body bags unless absolutely necessary.
Rowon: You're asking him not to kill? Sir are you alright?
Rai shrugged with a small smirk, "I'll try not to stab anyone unless they're ugly."
Rowon: I'm never getting paid enough for this.
Commander in a serious tone, " We don't have a name, but this might be bigger than just Phuket. Some of the recovered items… . match victims from years ago.
Both detectives went still.
Commander : Let's just say the name BETA is starting to float again.
Rai's finger twitched, " Guess the ghosts are back."
Commander: You guys are the best we've got. Keep the kids alive. Dig into this. And above all… … stay unnoticed.
Rai turned with a faint smile, eyes darker than storm clouds, " Noticed? Us? Never."
Rowon: Speak for yourself, psychopath.
The two left the room, the heavy clicking shut the door behind them.
Outside the bureau…
Rowon signed, rubbing his temples, " I swear I only signed up for one job."
Rai, already lighting a cigarette, " Nah. You signed up the day you didn't run from this mess. Let's go play lifeguards."
Rowon: If one of those brats ends up involved. I'm filing for early retirement.
Rai grinning, " Remind me to bury you next to the first victim."
Rowon signed and regretted it again.
________
The plane wheels touched down with a groan, and so did half the students' souls. Jet lagged, sweaty, slightly dehydrated but beneath it all — buzzing with excitement. Twenty-five students, all from Daffodils high, and one overly enthusiastic cheer from Juli.
Juli: Touchdown, freeenssss!!! Island time.
Jake: My legs forgot how to function.
Prez: My soul left somewhere over Myanmar.
Jean, dragging his luggage, " And yet you two still have energy to complain."
Amidst the chaos of 25 students wobbling through the airport with luggage, two sharp silhouettes stood near the exit.
Rai, arms crossed and sunglasses indoors, looked like a bored celebrity forced to greet fans.
Rowon: Welcome to Bangkok, don't die.
And then–
A man with a huge mustache and a louder presence marched forward, grinning ear to ear.
VP Raj Desai:Ah, finally! My beautiful baccha log has arrived!
Jean blinked, " Did he just say—?"
Prez snorted, " Yup."
Mr. Desai turned to Rai and Rowon, clapping them both on the back like a cricket coach about to throw them into the pitch.
Mr. Desai: So! These are my Royal bodyguards, huh? You two better not flirt with the students, especially that one— He pointed to Jean.
Jean dumbfounded, " Excuse me–"
Mr. Desai winked, " Too pretty. Dangerous. You distract boys and girls. I see it."
Sam, Jake and Prez lost it.
Rai whispered, " I love this man."
Rowon signed, " Is it too late to switch to the military?"
Mr. Desai: No quitting now!! We have a charity event tomorrow! Hustle!
Sam, still wheezing, " This trip is gonna be legendary."
_______
The students finally dropped their luggage in their rooms. Muffled groans filled the hallway.
Prez was sharing a room with Miana. Sam with Jake, Ray with Juli and… there was some kind of issue in the register for that they got two single rooms… one for VP sir and another had Jeans number. For which Rai suspiciously smiled a bit. And Rowon gave a side-eye.
Prez flopped on the bed, " This is heaven."
Miana: " Not yet. We're in a whole new country and I want street food."
Prez sat up, suddenly all the fatigue disappeared, eyes gleaming, " Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Miana: Crispy dumplings and bubble tea?
Prez: Girl!!!!!
And Jake, Sam, Jean, Ray, Juli just got summoned… … . And all of a sudden the room was filled with people. Since they didn't have any work for today they are ready to explore it!! Even though they were just complaining a few hours ago about exhaustion. Those who have backstage work already left for the plaza where the event will take place. So they are free to roam for nowww!!!
Jake: Girl, you shouldn't keep your doors open.
Prez: What the Fu*k!!!
Miana: Oh no. Sorry Prez.
Prez: It's ok Miana. But don't leave it open again. Be careful.
Sam: Okkk!! So where are we going?
Prez: We?
Jean: Yeah. We.
Miana : Come on, prez. Let them join.
Prez: Fine fine. So we're planning to sneak.
Jean: Marvelous.
Miana: And try street foods!!
Sam: Awesome.
Jake raising his hand, " What about the VP?"
Juli: We can go undercover.
Ray: Yes. I have sunglasses, scarf, masks, everything.
Sam: Why do you have it?
Ray: I knew, when we gather nothing comes easily, so just in case I just came prepared.
Jake: Or just in case I bomb something and you guys use sunglasses, masks and scarf to escape, is that what it is?? Rayyy??!
Jake said while pinching Ray's cheeks.
Ray: Well, at least this time we'll be prepared.
All of them laughed. And wore some casual clothes like.. Joggers and t-shirts while hiding faces with sunglasses and scarf.
All of them tiptoed toward the exit, undercover like kpop idols.
Then–
A shadow loomed behind them.
Mr. Desai with a sharp suit which he still hasn't taken off. Sharper gaze.
VP: Ah-ha! Where do you think you're going, my international adventures?
The group froze like misbehaving kids in cartoons.
Prez whispered, " Abort mission."
Jake boldly, " We're just stepping out. We're not kids.
VP: Haha! Mind you—- you ARE KIDS! With passports I had to sign off!
Jean: Sir, we just wanted some dumplings.
VP: Dumplings and next? You'll be in the hospital with good poisoning. Or kidnapped!
Juli: We'll stay close…
VP: Yes. Close to your chaperones.
He then dialed the number and asked the guards for protection aka… detective Rai and Rowon.
They came to the reception Hall of the hotel wearing casual clothes… joggers and shirts.
The VP already left to see if all the students are in place and told the misbehaving kids to wait for Rai and Rowon.
Rai: Seriously?
The group collectively groaned.
Jake: Babysitting?
Prez: We're gonna die of embarrassment.
Rowon: Better than dying on foreign soil.
Jean: That's dramatic.
Maian muttering, " He's not wrong though.."
Rai: Let's move, infants.
Rowon: I'm not carrying anyone who passes out.
______
The group walked through bustling sidewalks lined with lanterns, sizzling street food, and carts of souvenirs.
Rai walked side by side with Jean, which the group found suspicious, and also grinned and Jean gave a side-eye to them. Rowon, surprisingly, stopped to buy tiny elephant keychains.
Jake: Wasn't someone just complaining a little ago about babysitting? Now who is buying souvenirs?
Jake said while seeing some bl comic that was just laid on the cart.
Sam: Yeah, who?
Hahahaha. All of them laughed while Rowon was chanting his divine mantra to calm his nerves.
Miama tried dumplings. Jean bought a dragon keyring, for some reason Rai paid for it and the dragon keychain came with a pair… a black one and white one… . Jean took the black one… And Rai at first wanted to take the black one but took the white one. And paid for it.
Jean: Why did you pay for it?
Ray: Souvenir from me.
Jean: Why?
Rai just shrugged and twirled his white dragon keyring, and joined the group, who were munching on dumplings and didn't even call them, Rai took the whole plate from Juli who was feasting on Jeans plate.
Juli: Oh come on!
Rai: Eat your own.
Sam, Jake , Prez : Ohhhhhhh.
Prez slowly, "possessive."
Jake took selfies with everything. Sam argued over Boba flavor. Prez dragged Rai to pose in a photo booth — he refused, but she still took a sneaky picture.
Rowon after finally catching up with the group which left him behind in the bookstore. And left him alone to pay for the books Jean and Jake bought.
Rowon while eyeing Jean and Jake, " Can I just tranquilize one of them?"
Rai while chewing a skewer which Jean bought him, " No, but tempting."
*******
Note: Here " My beautiful baccha log" means my beautiful kids.
Baccha log is a Hindi word.