Kean groaned as his alarm buzzed faintly on his desk, the gray light of a cloudy morning peeking through the window. He reached for his phone, eyes half-closed, and the screen instantly lit up with a message from Kaye.
Kaye: Good morning, my love
A smile crept onto Kean's sleepy face. Even the gloom of a Monday couldn't compete with that line. He quickly typed back:
Kean: How's your morning, dear?
Kaye: Pretty nice, it's cold and gloomy here. Perfect cuddle weather, hehe.
Kean: Ugh, I'm so lazy to move today. I wish I could just sleep all day.
Kaye: That's okay! You deserve more sleep, but I know you have classes—it's Monday!
Kean: Yeah, I know, I know. You know, if my grandpa were still here, he'd already be waking me up to join him on a jog with our dog. We used to run along that long road that connects my dad's town to my mom's.
Kaye: Really? I hope it happens again someday, hihi.
Kean: Yeah, I miss it. You know Quezon's surrounded by mountains—it's lovely. I've always loved mountains.
Kaye: Well, I live on top of one. Maybe that's why I love the view so much.
Kean: I'm jealous! I'd go there right now if I could—but it's kind of impossible these days. Don't worry, though. It'll come soon.
Kaye: Yes! And when you do, I'll hug you tight, okay?
Kean: And I'll kiss you on the head, dear.
He smiled at his own message, imagining her shy giggle.
Kean: What's your plan today?
Kaye: Grandma said we're going out later. I think she wants to try that new restaurant that just opened.
Kean: Very nice of her! My Aunt Divine used to treat me to new places when I was a kid too. I kinda miss that.
Kaye: That's so sweet! Don't worry, I'll treat you when you visit here someday!
Kean: Aww, hey—me too! Oh wait… I'm late for class!
Kaye: Ohhh, I'm already in my meet! Just wanted to say hi before you vanish into boredom, hehe. Later!
Kean: Haha, alright, later my love!
As he set his phone aside and joined the online meeting, he couldn't stop smiling. Even Mondays felt lighter when her name was the first thing he saw.
The afternoon air hung quiet as Kean stretched on his chair, finally done with his last online class. The faint scent of coffee wafted from the kitchen, where Aunt Raquela was humming a tune from an old radio. Kean walked over, sliding into the wooden chair beside her.
"Done with classes already?" she asked with a warm smile.
"Yeah," Kean said, rubbing his eyes. "Feels like my brain's melting, though."
His aunt chuckled softly. "That's good—you're learning something. Anyway, I'm glad you're here. I'm in the mood to talk today."
Kean raised a brow. "That's rare," he teased.
She laughed. "Don't push your luck, kid." Then, leaning back, she said, "You know, there's a long tradition in our bloodline that I don't think you've heard about."
Kean tilted his head, curious. "Tradition?"
Raquela nodded. "Fixed marriage. Back then, some of our elders used to arrange marriages—not for love, but for benefits. Your late grandma was one of them."
Kean blinked. "Wait… really?"
"Yes," she said, stirring her cup absentmindedly. "Your grandpa was matched with her because she came from a family who owned hectares of land. They didn't know each other well at first, but somehow they made it work. They had eight children—one of them was your biological grandma. She passed away twenty years ago."
Kean fell silent for a moment, letting that sink in. "So… who's the oldest and youngest among them?" he asked.
Aunt Raquela smiled faintly. "Their mom—our mom—was the oldest. Then the rest followed. A few of them are gone now, but most of us stayed here in the compound. You know, this lot your grandma left behind needs to be divided someday. Otherwise, it'll turn into a problem."
Kean frowned a little. "Divided?"
"Yes. You should invest in it when the time comes. Your other relatives won't bother—they're too tied up in their lifestyles. You're different, Kean. You've got a good head on your shoulders."
Kean forced a polite smile, though his thoughts said otherwise.
Why me? he thought. I'm not even planning to stay here forever. And why does Aunt keep underestimating our relatives? They're not lazy… not like Dad was.
He sighed quietly and looked at her. "Aunt Raquela, I'm hungry," he said, trying to change the topic.
Raquela chuckled. "Of course you are. I'll warm up some food. Go wash your hands first, Mr. Hardworking."
Kean smiled faintly as he stood up. The smell of home-cooked food and family talk—it was simple, grounding, and just what he needed… even if his thoughts were already somewhere else.
The afternoon sun filtered through the curtains of Kaye's room, painting faint golden lines across her desk scattered with notebooks, a glass of milk, and her phone still glowing from her last chat with Kean. She smiled faintly at his last message:
"Don't forget to send me a pic of your food later, okay?"
She giggled under her breath, shaking her head. "He really never runs out of things to say."
"Kaye!" a voice called from downstairs. "We're leaving soon!"
"Yes, Grandma! I'm coming!" she shouted back.
She grabbed her small bag and phone, looking at her reflection for a moment. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and her favorite sky-blue sweater made her look calm and warm — exactly how she wanted to appear, even when she didn't feel that way inside.
Downstairs, her grandmother was waiting beside the front door, holding her purse, while their family friend — Aunt Rowena — was fixing her hair in the mirror.
"There she is," Aunt Rowena said with a grin. "All dressed up, hmm? Maybe you're excited to see someone special?"
Kaye's cheeks reddened instantly. "Aunt! No, it's just… we're going out, right?"
"Oh please," Aunt Rowena teased. "I've seen that look before. That's a girl in love."
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow but said nothing, though the hint of a smirk tugged at her lips. "Come on now, let's not be late. The driver's waiting."
As they stepped out, the air was crisp and cool — one of those quiet afternoons when the sky looked half-asleep. They rode through the winding road down the mountainside, passing fields and small stores. The scent of pine mixed with the faint smell of smoke from nearby houses.
Kaye watched the view roll by, her thoughts wandering. Every turn reminded her of how isolated they were from the busy world below — almost like being on another planet. But she didn't mind it. For a while now, she had felt safe there. Especially since Kean came into her life.
The restaurant wasn't fancy — just a small garden café with white tables and plants hanging from every corner. The three of them took a seat near the window where the view of the valley was wide and quiet.
Kaye's grandma ordered quickly, while Aunt Rowena leaned close and whispered, "So, tell me… how's Kean?"
Kaye smiled shyly. "He's okay. We talk every day. He's really… sweet."
"Sweet, huh?" Rowena smirked. "You're glowing when you talk about him. Don't tell me you've fallen too hard already."
"Maybe…" Kaye murmured, playing with her spoon. "But please don't tell Grandma yet. She'll think I'm being too young for that stuff."
Her aunt laughed. "Your secret's safe with me."
Kaye's grandma looked up from her meal. "What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing, Ma," Rowena said quickly. "Just girl talk."
But later that afternoon, when they arrived back home, the mood shifted. The house felt colder. Kaye's grandmother stayed quiet during the ride — her lips pressed, her eyes on the road.
When they reached home, she finally spoke. "Kaye, can we talk?"
Kaye froze in the hallway. "Yes, Grandma?"
Her grandmother sighed, placing her purse on the table. "I don't want you spending too much time on your phone lately. You've been distracted — smiling at the screen, forgetting housework. You even stay up late."
Kaye looked down. "I'm sorry, Grandma. It's just… I like talking to him."
"Him?" her grandma repeated sharply. "So it's true."
Kaye's heart sank. "Grandma, please—"
"No, listen," her voice rose slightly. "You're still young, Kaye. You don't know what you're getting into. These online things… they don't last. You're living in a dream. You think this boy will change your life? He'll forget you the moment someone new appears."
Kaye's eyes welled up. "You don't know him like I do…"
Her grandma shook her head. "You don't know yourself yet. Love can wait. But your studies — your future — they can't."
Silence filled the room. Even Aunt Rowena stood still at the side, guilt in her eyes.
"I just want to be happy," Kaye whispered.
Her grandma's tone softened, but the damage was done. "I know you do. But happiness built on something uncertain will only hurt you."
Kaye ran to her room, closing the door quietly behind her. The moment it clicked shut, her tears fell freely. She grabbed her phone, stared at Kean's contact, and hesitated. Her heart wanted to message him — to tell him everything — but her mind was spinning.
She sat by the window, hugging her knees as the sky outside dimmed into a faint gray. Down in the valley, city lights flickered like distant stars.
She whispered softly to herself, "Maybe Grandma's right… maybe I'm living in a dream."
But then her phone vibrated.
It was Kean.
"Hey, how was your day, dear? Did you eat already?"
Kaye smiled weakly through her tears. Her thumbs trembled as she typed back.
"Yeah… we just got home. I'll tell you later, okay? I just need some rest."
Kean replied with a heart emoji and said,
"Okay, my love. Rest well. I'm here if you need me."
She placed the phone beside her, leaned her head against the window, and whispered,
"You're all I have right now, Kean…"
The faint hum of the wind filled the silence, carrying both peace and sorrow in the night.
Kean's phone buzzed endlessly on the desk beside his keyboard. The game screen in front of him blurred when he saw the name Shan flashing with urgency.
Shan: "Bro. I think Kaye's not okay. She just told me she wants to die."
Kean froze. His heartbeat slammed against his ribs as he fumbled to open Lityear. The chat window blinked with Kaye's name — online, but typing.
Kean: "Love? What's happening? Please tell me."
Her reply came fast, raw.
Kaye: "I don't know anymore, Kean. I feel worthless… I just— I want to disappear."
Kaye: "I found a rope in the washroom earlier. I just stared at it for a long time."
Kean's eyes widened. His hands shook over the keyboard.
Kean: "Hey! Please don't think like that, okay? You do have worth. You have me. You have your aunt. You have a future! Please, Kaye."
Kaye: "But I feel so drained now. It's like… an earthquake in my head every day. I can't breathe when I think too much. I wish my mom was here, Kean. I wish she never left."
Kean bit his lip hard, tears forming. His mind screamed at him to do something — anything.
Kean: "I'm here. I'm right here. Please listen to me."
Kean: "There's more in life and reality than what we have right now. You told me once you wanted to explore the world, remember? You wanted to take pictures of the mountains, of the sky — with me. That moment hasn't come yet, so you can't leave."
Kaye: "I don't know if I can wait that long, Kean…"
Kean: "Then don't wait — hold on. One second, one breath, one heartbeat at a time. For me. For yourself."
There was silence. The typing indicator disappeared. Kean's stomach twisted in fear. He stared at the screen, whispering prayers under his breath.
Then —
Kaye: "I dropped the rope."
Kaye: "I'm crying right now, Kean… I didn't do it."
Kean exhaled sharply, his eyes blurring with relief.
Kean: "Thank you. Thank you, love. That's all I needed to hear. You did the right thing. You're so strong, Kaye. I'm proud of you."
Kaye: "I was really scared. But your words stopped me. I just… I just wanted to feel seen again."
Kean: "You are seen. Always. You're my light, remember? We promised to wait for our sunrise together. So let's keep that promise."
Kaye sent a single heart emoji and followed it with a voice message, her tone trembling but alive.
"Thank you, Kean. I'll be okay. I promise."
Kean leaned back on his chair, covered his face, and whispered into the dim glow of his monitor,
"You just saved yourself, Kaye. You're gonna be fine. I know you will."
The video call connected with a gentle ping. Neither of them spoke at first — just the soft sound of rain outside, and the faint hum of a worship song playing from Kaye's side.
Kean watched her through the screen. Her eyes were swollen, her cheeks glowed faintly red from crying, but there was peace now — a fragile, beautiful peace. She leaned her head against her pillow, eyes closed, listening deeply to the song.
Kean: "Hey… that's really an emotional, soothing sound."
Kaye: "Mm… yeah. We sing this in our church every Sunday. It always makes my heart feel lighter."
Kean: "Oh, really? That's nice. In my church, we sing in sacred style — kinda traditional, but it still hits the heart, you know?"
Kaye giggled softly, the first real smile he'd seen all day.
Kean: "I swear… I wanna teleport to you right now."
Kaye: "Please? Can we meet very soon?"
Kean: "I'll make a way. I promise. By March, okay? I'll do my best to find a way — no matter what."
Kaye's voice turned soft, almost a whisper.
Kaye: "I wanna rehear your life background again… is that okay?"
Kean smiled tiredly, nodding.
Kean: "Okay, love. But let's rest for now. You need it."
Kaye hummed in agreement, closing her eyes again as the song faded into a gentle instrumental. Kean didn't hang up. He stayed, just watching her breathe peacefully through the screen — her chest rising and falling, her lips parting slightly as she drifted to sleep.
He whispered, barely audible,
"You're safe now, Kaye. I'm here. Always."
The call stayed on, screens glowing faintly in the dark — two hearts finally resting, connected by the quiet hum of faith and love that refused to let go.