Jay-Jay's POV
I push open the glass door to my office, still feeling light—like something inside me finally exhaled after ten years of holding its breath.
Samy is already there.
So is Coel.
Samy is sitting on my desk like it belongs to her, phone in her hand, eyes shining like she's about to start a TED Talk on romance.
"And I'm telling you," she's saying to Coel dramatically, "the Ashdres love team is elite. Untouchable. Legendary. Cultural reset."
Coel doesn't even look up from his tablet.
"You say that about every love team."
"This is different," Samy insists. "Ang Mutya ng Section E is different."
I stop mid-step.
"…Go on," I say dryly.
Samy whips her head toward me. "Jay-Jay! Perfect timing. We were just discussing the greatest love story ever written on Philippine television."
"Ah," I say. "Of course you were."
She jumps off the desk and grabs my arm.
"Okay, listen. You have to understand this. Ashetin Olviga and Andres Mulach as Luna and Raffy ? Their chemistry? Their tension? The way Andres sang to Ashtine on Section E Nation?"
She presses her hand to her chest.
"I almost passed away."
Coel snorts. "You cried over a TikTok edit of them holding hands."
"That was ART," Samy says defensively. "And don't even get me started on how Andres sings for Ashtine. Like—"
She flips her phone toward me and plays a clip.
And there it is.
Andres Mulach, mic in hand, voice soft, singing like the world only has one person in it.
Samy sighs dreamily.
"I want that. I want someone to look at me like that."
Then—very slowly—her eyes slide to my face.
To my still-blushing, not-at-all-concealing-anything face.
Her lips curl.
"…Oh."
Coel looks up.
"Oh?"
Samy points at me.
"Ohhh."
I feel my cheeks heat instantly.
"Stop."
Samy gasps. "You already HAVE that kind of love story."
"No, I—"
"With Keifer," she finishes smugly.
Coel's eyebrows lift. "Ah."
I drop my bag on the chair and rub my face.
"Can we not dissect my emotional life before coffee?"
"No," Samy says happily. "We cannot."
She sits back on my desk again.
"Tell me one thing."
I narrow my eyes. "This is dangerous."
"Tell me," she continues, "one of your best college memories with Keifer."
Coel leans in.
"Like… a trip? A fight? A near-kiss? A dramatic rain scene?"
I freeze.
Because my mind doesn't hesitate.
Not even for a second.
It goes straight to that trip.
The bus.
The mountains.
The night that changed everything.
My throat tightens.
Samy notices.
Her voice softens.
"Jay?"
I swallow.
"…There was this one trip," I say quietly. "In second year."
Coel sits back, suddenly serious.
"Here we go."
Samy smiles.
"Tell us."
I look down at my hands.
Then—
The office fades.
FLASHBACK BEGINS -
The smell of pine.
The sound of laughter.
And Keifer's voice
Mornings in our house were never quiet.
They were… musical. If by musical you meant clanging pans, raised voices, teasing insults, and someone always yelling my name like the world was ending.
I woke up to that familiar chaos with my alarm buzzing beside my head and my mom shouting from the kitchen, "JAY-JAY, IF YOU'RE STILL IN BED I'M COMING UP THERE."
"I'M AWAKE," I yelled back, groggy, rolling onto my back. "Emotionally? No. Physically? Unfortunately."
I dragged myself out of bed, tied my hair into a messy half-pony, and reached for my hoodie—
Not mine.
Keifer's.
Of course.
It smelled like him. Clean. Warm. Safe.
I pulled it on without thinking.
By the time I came downstairs, the scene was already set.
Keifer was leaning casually against the doorframe near the kitchen, backpack slung over one shoulder, looking way too awake for someone who claimed he barely slept.
Kuya Aries noticed him first.
Aries (squinting): "You're early. Suspicious."
Keifer didn't even blink.
Keifer: "I like to be punctual. And handsome."
Angelo, sitting at the table with his coffee, smirked.
Angelo: "He didn't sleep, did he?"
Keifer's lips twitched.
Keifer: "I slept. Just… aggressively thought about Jay while doing it."
"KEIFER!" I snapped.
Tita Gemma looked up from her pan with a grin.
Tita Gemma: "Just marry already."
"TITA—" I groaned, dropping into a chair.
Keifer, completely shameless, nodded seriously.
Keifer: "We're considering it."
I smacked his arm. Hard.
Keifer: "Ow. Domestic violence this early?"
Mom just watched us with that soft, amused smile she always had when Keifer was around.
Mom: "You two are ridiculous."
I grabbed my bag from the chair. Before I could even lift it, Keifer stepped forward and fixed the strap on my shoulder automatically.
Didn't ask.
Didn't hesitate.
Just did it.
Everyone noticed.
Aries raised a brow.
Aries: "He acts like a husband already."
Keifer grinned.
Keifer: "Practicing."
My face burned.
Keifer's POV
Jay in my hoodie should be illegal.
That's all I'm saying.
She walked into the kitchen like it was nothing—sleepy eyes, messy hair, my hoodie hanging off her shoulder like she owned it. Like she owned me.
Which, honestly, she kind of did.
When I fixed her bag strap, it wasn't a conscious decision. It was muscle memory. Instinct.
She belonged in my space. I belonged in hers.
When her family teased us, I didn't mind.
I liked it.
It felt… permanent.
Jay-Jay's POV
The car ride was quiet in the best way.
Not awkward.
Not empty.
Just… comfortable.
Keifer drove with one hand on the wheel. The other rested lazily near my thigh—not touching, just close enough to make me very aware of it.
Keifer: "Did you eat?"
Jay: "I had half a toast."
Keifer: "That is not food. That is a suggestion of food."
I rolled my eyes.
Jay: "Did you sleep?"
Keifer: "Barely."
Jay: "Why?"
He glanced at me.
Keifer: "Because you exist."
I hated how easily he did that to me.
At a red light, he leaned over and pressed his forehead to mine for just a second.
Keifer (soft): "Be good today."
Jay: "I'm always good."
Keifer: "That's a lie. You're trouble in cute packaging."
College Gate
Students everywhere. Noise. Movement. Life.
Keifer parked near the gate. The engine went quiet, but the air between us didn't.
Keifer turned to me.
Keifer: "Text me when you're free."
Jay: "I always do."
He cupped my face gently.
Not dramatic.
Not rushed.
Just… us.
Then he kissed me.
Soft.
Quick.
Real.
Not hidden.
Not loud.
Just ours.
I smiled as I opened the door.
I walked a few steps… then turned back.
Keifer was still there.
Leaning against the car.
Watching me.
He gave me a small wave.
I waved back.
And in that moment, I didn't know it yet—
But that morning was about to become a memory I'd never forget. 💫
By the time I walked into my building, I already knew I wouldn't survive five minutes without being emotionally attacked.
Eunice was leaning against the lockers like a detective waiting for her prime suspect.
The second she saw me, her eyes narrowed.
Eunice: "You look… kissed."
I stopped mid-step.
Jay: "That is not a compliment."
Dane, sitting on the floor with his bag open, looked up immediately.
Dane: "It is when your boyfriend is hot."
I sighed. Deeply. Spiritually. Dramatically.
Jay: "I walked in peacefully. Why are you like this?"
Eunice pushed off the lockers and circled me.
Eunice: "Your face is glowing. Your hair is softer. And you're wearing—"
(she grabbed the sleeve of my hoodie)
"—his hoodie."
Jay: "This hoodie has no name on it."
Dane: "It has Keifer energy."
Eunice gasped.
Eunice: "She's right. It's haunted by romance."
I groaned and tried to walk past them.
Jay: "Move. I have a class."
Dane blocked my way with one dramatic step.
Dane: "Not until you admit you're in love."
Jay: "I am in a hurry."
Eunice: "That's not a denial."
They both grinned like they'd just won something.
We barely made it to our classroom before Eunice slid into the seat beside me like she owned it.
Eunice: "So. How was the goodbye?"
Jay: "Normal."
Dane (from behind us): "Normal for who?"
Jay: "For people who don't make everything dramatic."
Eunice leaned closer.
Eunice: "Did he kiss you?"
Jay: "Eunice."
Dane: "Did he?"
I opened my notebook aggressively.
Jay: "Focus on your education."
Eunice: "Education can wait. Romance cannot."
Before I could reply, my phone buzzed in my bag.
I already knew who it was.
I checked.
Keifer:
Did you miss me yet?
I smiled without meaning to.
Jay:
You dropped me 12 minutes ago.
Three seconds later:
Keifer:
That's 11 minutes too long.
My heart did that stupid little flip it always did with him.
I typed back:
Jay:
Go be productive.
Keifer:
I am. Thinking about you is a full-time job.
I bit my lip to stop myself from smiling.
Too late.
Eunice leaned over and snatched my phone.
Eunice: "EW. Romantic criminals."
She read out loud:
Eunice (dramatic voice):
"Thinking about you is a full-time job."
Dane clutched his chest.
Dane: "I'm sick. Someone call an ambulance."
Jay: "GIVE IT BACK."
I grabbed my phone from her.
Eunice: "You're smiling like he just proposed."
Jay: "He did not."
Dane: "Yet."
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop the warmth spreading through me.
During class, I tried to focus.
Tried.
But every few minutes, my phone buzzed again.
Keifer:
Are you paying attention?
Jay:
Yes.
Keifer:
Lie. What are you thinking about?
Jay:
You. Unfortunately.
Three dots appeared instantly.
Keifer:
Wow. I should charge rent for living in your head.
Jay:
You already do. In emotional damage.
I felt a vibration again.
Keifer:
And yet you love me.
I didn't reply.
But I didn't deny it either.
After class, Eunice linked her arm with mine as we walked down the hallway.
Eunice: "You're glowing."
Jay: "I am tired."
Eunice: "You are in love."
Dane joined us.
Dane: "Same thing."
Jay: "No it's not."
Dane: "Yes it is. Love just comes with more stress and better smiles."
Eunice nudged me.
Eunice: "Does he text you during class every day?"
Jay: "Sometimes."
Dane: "Every five minutes."
Jay: "That is an exaggeration."
My phone buzzed again.
I didn't even look before saying:
Jay: "Okay, maybe not."
Keifer:
Are you eating lunch?
Jay:
In ten minutes.
Keifer:
Don't forget. Or I'll show up and feed you myself.
I froze.
Jay:
You're at your college.
Keifer:
And yet, I have legs.
I typed fast:
Jay:
Don't you dare.
Keifer:
What? You don't want me walking into your building looking handsome and causing chaos?
I pictured it. Him. Leaning in my doorway. Smirking.
My stomach flipped.
Jay:
Behave.
Keifer:
I behave around you. I misbehave around everyone else.
Eunice peeked at my screen again.
Eunice: "He's flirting."
Jay: "He always flirts."
Dane: "He's obsessed."
Jay: "…Maybe."
They both stared at me.
Eunice: "That was not denial."
I closed my phone and shook my head.
Jay: "You two are impossible."
Eunice: "And you're in love."
Dane: "And glowing."
I sighed.
But I was smiling.
And everything felt… normal.
Until it wouldn't.
It was just another day.
Friends teasing.
Classes.
Texts from Keifer.
Nothing special.
Nothing dramatic.
And yet—
Something was coming.
I just didn't know it yet.
The moment our professor walked in with that look—the I-have-news-and-you're-going-to-like-it look—the entire room shifted.
Whispers started before he even reached the podium.
Eunice leaned toward me.
Eunice: "If this is another surprise quiz, I'm transferring."
Dane: "If this is another seminar, I'm rebelling."
The professor cleared his throat.
Professor: "Good morning, everyone."
The room went quiet. Suspicious quiet.
Professor: "I hope you've all been working hard, because your department has been selected for this semester's—"
He paused.
Everyone leaned in.
Professor: "—multi-day academic field trip."
For half a second, there was silence.
Then—
The room exploded.
Chairs scraped. People screamed. Someone actually clapped. Dane stood up like he'd won an award.
Dane: "WE'RE GOING OUTSIDE."
Eunice: "MULTI-DAY?? AS IN—HOTEL??"
Professor (trying not to smile): "Yes. Three days. Two nights. Educational, supervised—"
No one heard the rest.
My heart was already racing.
A field trip.
Out of campus.
Together.
Memories.
Without thinking, I grabbed my phone.
Jay:
WE HAVE A FIELD TRIP!!
Three seconds.
Keifer:
With who.
I smiled.
Jay:
My class?
A beat.
Keifer:
Male species included?
I laughed under my breath.
Jay:
Keifer—
Keifer:
Answer the question.
Jay:
Yes. Humans. Mixed gender. Relax.
Typing bubble appeared instantly.
Keifer:
Interesting. Very interesting.
Jay:
Why do you sound like a detective?
Keifer:
Because I need to know which one of them I'm mentally fighting tonight.
I bit my lip, trying not to smile too wide.
After the announcement, the hallway turned into chaos.
People were already planning outfits. Trips. Late-night talks. Photos.
Eunice grabbed my arm.
Eunice: "THIS IS IT. THIS IS OUR MOVIE MOMENT."
Dane: "I'm bringing a guitar."
Jay: "You don't even play guitar."
Dane: "But I look like I do."
Eunice: "Jay, you're quiet."
Jay: "I'm texting my boyfriend."
Dane: "Disgusting. Continue."
My phone buzzed again.
Keifer:
So. Where are you going?
Jay:
They haven't told us yet.
Keifer:
How long?
Jay:
Three days.
Pause.
Then—
Keifer:
Three days surrounded by boys who think you're pretty.
I laughed.
Jay:
They already think I'm scary.
Keifer:
Good. Fear is healthy.
By lunchtime, the excitement still hadn't died down.
I was sitting with Eunice and Dane when suddenly—
A shadow fell across the table.
I looked up.
Keifer.
Standing there. Hoodie on. Hair slightly messy. Bag over one shoulder.
Like he belonged there.
My heart actually skipped.
Jay: "What are you doing here?"
Keifer (smirking): "Delivering lunch to my girlfriend. Like a responsible husband."
He placed the food in front of me carefully.
Eunice gasped.
Eunice: "THE DOMESTIC ENERGY."
Dane: "I'm witnessing emotional stability in real time."
Keifer sat beside me, way too close for someone pretending to be casual.
His knee brushed mine.
On purpose.
Keifer (low, only to me): "So. Which one of these idiots is going with you?"
I choked on my drink.
Jay: "What?"
He glanced around—playfully glaring at every guy within eyesight.
Keifer: "I need to know who I'm supposed to hate politely."
Eunice overheard.
Eunice: "EXCUSE ME, SIR. WE ARE NOT IDIOTS. WE ARE POTENTIAL HEARTBREAKERS."
Keifer didn't even blink.
Keifer: "Not while I'm alive."
Dane: "Sir, this is a college, not a battlefield."
Keifer leaned back, arm casually draped behind me.
Keifer: "Same thing."
I laughed, but my cheeks were burning.
Jay: "You're ridiculous."
Keifer: "You love it."
Jay: "Unfortunately."
He leaned closer, voice low.
Keifer: "Tell me the truth. Are you going to miss me?"
Jay: "It's three days."
Keifer: "That's 72 hours of emotional suffering."
Jay: "Drama king."
Keifer: "Your drama king."
He opened my lunchbox for me.
Actually opened it.
Like it was normal.
Eunice stared.
Eunice: "He feeds her."
Dane: "Next he's gonna braid her hair."
Keifer: "I already know how."
Jay: "YOU DO NOT."
Keifer (smirking): "Yet."
He handed me my fork.
Keifer: "Eat."
Jay: "You're not my dad."
Keifer: "True. But I am the man responsible for your well-being."
Dane: "Someone stop him."
Eunice: "No. Let him continue."
I took a bite.
Keifer watched like he'd personally cooked it.
Jay: "Why are you staring?"
Keifer: "Just checking if you still look cute while chewing."
Jay: "You're weird."
Keifer: "And you're still here."
He leaned in.
Keifer (low): "So. Any special boys in your class?"
Jay: "No."
Keifer: "None?"
Jay: "Only one annoying, jealous, overprotective guy."
Keifer: "Sounds hot."
I smiled.
Then I took a breath.
Jay: "The trip is only for my college."
Keifer froze.
Just slightly.
His smile didn't disappear.
But it softened.
Keifer: "Only your college?"
Jay: "Yeah. Different departments. Same school. Not mixed with yours."
He nodded.
Slowly.
Keifer: "So I can't go with you."
Jay: "No."
His jaw tightened—just a little.
Not angry.
Just… disappointed.
Keifer: "Figures."
I reached for his hand under the table.
Jay: "Hey."
He looked at me.
Jay: "It's just three days."
Keifer (quiet): "I know."
But his thumb brushed over my knuckles like he didn't want to let go.
And for the first time that day—
The excitement felt bittersweet.
The field trip was supposed to be fun.
A break.
An adventure.
But the second I saw that small shift in Keifer's eyes—
I knew.
This trip wasn't just about going somewhere new.
It was about learning what it felt like…
to miss someone you didn't want to leave behind. 💫
The bell rang, and the hallway swallowed everyone again.
Voices. Laughter. Plans being made way too loudly.
But Keifer and I stayed where we were.
Still sitting.
Still close.
Still pretending the field trip didn't just quietly wedge itself between us.
He leaned back on the bench, hands laced behind his head, staring at the ceiling like it personally betrayed him.
Keifer: "So…"
I looked at him.
Keifer: "You're really leaving me."
Jay: "For three days."
Keifer: "That's basically a lifetime in boyfriend years."
Jay: "You're being dramatic."
Keifer: "You're dating me. You knew that already."
I smiled, but I could see it now—the truth sitting behind his jokes.
Different colleges.
Different schedules.
Different trips.
He couldn't come.
And that bothered him more than he wanted to admit.
He dropped his arms and looked at me.
Keifer: "So… you'll survive without me?"
I didn't answer right away.
Because the way he said it?
Light. Casual.
But his eyes weren't joking.
Jay: "You're not serious."
Keifer: "Dead serious. I need confirmation that you won't emotionally collapse."
Jay: "You're the one collapsing."
Keifer: "I collapse beautifully."
I shook my head.
Jay: "Keifer…"
He tilted his head.
Jay: "I don't want to go if you're not there."
That did it.
The teasing smile fell away.
He went still.
Keifer: "Jay."
Jay: "I mean it."
He sat up straighter.
Keifer: "No. Don't say that."
Jay: "Why?"
Keifer: "Because you've been excited about this all day."
Jay: "Not anymore."
He reached for my hands.
Keifer: "You have to go."
Jay: "But—"
Keifer: "You have to."
His voice was gentle now.
Keifer: "I'll just… miss you dramatically."
I let out a small laugh.
Jay: "You were already doing that."
Keifer: "I'm warming up."
Eunice and Dane appeared like summoned chaos.
Eunice: "Why do you both look like someone died?"
Dane: "Is this a breakup scene?"
Jay: "No!"
Keifer: "Not yet."
I glared at him.
Jay: "KEIFER."
Eunice gasped.
Eunice: "BREAKUP ENERGY."
Dane: "JUST HOLD HANDS AND CRY."
Keifer pulled me closer on purpose.
Keifer: "Don't rush the emotional arc."
Eunice: "Wow. He's committed."
Dane: "Method actor."
Keifer stood and tugged me up with him.
We were suddenly chest to chest.
Too close for public.
Too intimate to ignore.
He wrapped his arms around me.
Not loose.
Not dramatic.
Real.
Protective.
His voice dropped low near my ear.
Keifer: "Text me every hour."
Jay: "That's clingy."
Keifer: "Correct."
I smiled into his shoulder.
Jay: "You're impossible."
Keifer: "And yet, here you are."
I pulled back just enough to look at him.
Jay: "You'll be fine."
Keifer: "Lies. I'll stare at my phone like it owes me attention."
Jay: "You already do that."
Keifer: "Now I'll do it with purpose."
He brushed his thumb over my cheek.
Keifer: "Promise me something."
Jay: "What?"
Keifer: "No flirting."
Jay: "I don't flirt."
Keifer: "You exist. Same thing."
Jay: "You're jealous."
Keifer: "Absolutely."
Jay: "Unapologetically?"
Keifer: "Romantically."
I laughed.
Jay: "What if someone flirts with me?"
Keifer: "Then you'll think of me and feel bad for them."
Jay: "Why would I feel bad for them?"
Keifer: "Because they'll never compete with me."
I rolled my eyes, but my heart flipped anyway.
He leaned closer.
Keifer: "Also."
Jay: "What now?"
Keifer: "Don't forget me."
Jay: "Keifer—"
Keifer: "I mean it. Don't go having all these fun memories without me."
Jay: "You're part of all of them."
That made his eyes soften.
Keifer: "Say that again."
Jay: "You're part of all of them."
He smiled slow.
Keifer: "Good. Because I plan to stay that way."
Eunice cleared her throat loudly.
Eunice: "Okay. This is either a rom-com or a soap opera."
Dane: "Can we get popcorn?"
Keifer didn't move away from me.
Keifer: "No refunds."
He hugged me again.
Longer this time.
Tighter.
Like he was memorizing the feeling.
Keifer (low): "You're really going to miss me."
Jay: "You're really going to miss me."
Keifer: "That too."
Jay: "Then why are you smiling?"
Keifer: "Because loving someone who leaves and comes back is still better than not loving them at all."
That hit me right in the chest.
Jay: "You're not allowed to be deep when I'm already emotional."
Keifer: "I don't follow rules."
I rested my forehead against his.
Jay: "I'll text you."
Keifer: "Every hour."
Jay: "Not every—"
Keifer: "Every."
Jay: "You're going to count?"
Keifer: "With a stopwatch."
Jay: "You're insane."
Keifer: "Yours."
I smiled.
That was the first time I realized something important.
Keifer didn't just want to be with me.
He wanted to be part of every version of my life.
Even the ones that temporarily didn't include him.
And somehow…
That made leaving hurt.
But it also made staying worth everything. 💫
By the time Keifer dropped me home, the sky had already turned that soft purple-blue that always made everything feel quieter.
Not sad.
Just… thoughtful.
He parked outside our gate and cut the engine, but neither of us moved.
Keifer: "So."
Jay: "So."
Keifer: "You're going to walk in there and tell everyone you're abandoning me."
Jay: "I'm not abandoning you."
Keifer: "Emotionally? Physically? Spiritually?"
Jay: "You're ridiculous."
Keifer: "Correct. Continue."
I opened the door but didn't get out yet.
Jay: "Come on. Walk me in."
Keifer: "Obviously."
He hopped out too, like it was never even a question.
The moment we stepped in, chaos greeted us.
Kuya Angelo was on the couch, Aries was scrolling his phone, Mom was in the kitchen, and Tita Gemma was—of course—already watching us like a teleserye scene had just started.
Tita Gemma: "Ay. They're home."
Kuya Angelo smirked.
Kuya Angelo: "Together. Suspicious."
Aries looked up.
Aries: "Why do you look like you just had a dramatic hallway scene?"
Jay: "Because we did."
Keifer: "Academically intense."
I rolled my eyes.
Mom: "What happened?"
Jay: "There's a field trip. Three days."
Everyone reacted at once.
Kuya Angelo: "Nice."
Aries: "Where?"
Tita Gemma: "With who?"
Before I could answer—
Aries (looking at Keifer): "Who's going with you?"
Keifer (instantly, flat): "Nobody important."
I stared at him.
Jay: "KEIFER."
Kuya Angelo laughed.
Kuya Angelo: "Wow. Possessive."
Tita Gemma: "Ay, I like him."
Mom just shook her head, smiling.
Mom: "So when is this trip?"
Jay: "Next week."
Tita Gemma gasped.
Tita Gemma: "So soon?"
Keifer: "Too soon."
Jay: "You're acting like I'm moving abroad."
Keifer: "Emotionally, yes."
More Teasing
Aries stood up and crossed his arms.
Aries: "You're not going to survive."
Keifer: "I'll survive. Barely."
Kuya Angelo: "You'll just text her every five minutes."
Keifer: "Every four."
Jay: "That's not healthy."
Keifer: "Neither is missing you."
Tita Gemma clutched her chest dramatically.
Tita Gemma: "This is cinema."
Later, after dinner and too much teasing, Keifer walked me back out to the gate.
The night air was cooler now.
Quieter.
He stopped right in front of me and didn't say anything.
Just pulled me into him.
A long hug.
Not rushed.
Not dramatic.
Just… deep.
Keifer (murmuring): "I don't like the idea of you sleeping somewhere I'm not."
Jay: "You're acting like I'll disappear."
Keifer: "You always do when you're not in my arms."
I laughed softly against his chest.
Jay: "You're clingy."
Keifer: "Romantically."
Jay: "Emotionally unstable."
Keifer: "Because of you."
I pulled back just enough to look at him.
Jay: "I'll text you."
Keifer: "I know."
Jay: "I'll call you."
Keifer: "I know."
Jay: "I'll miss you."
That made him pause.
Keifer: "Say that again."
Jay: "I'll miss you."
He kissed my forehead.
Slow.
Intentional.
Keifer: "Good. Because I already miss you."
Later that night…
Lights off.
Room quiet.
Phone glowing in my hands.
Keifer:
What if you forget me on the trip?
Jay:
Impossible.
Keifer:
What if some guy sings to you?
Jay:
I'll block my ears.
Keifer:
What if you fall in love?
I smiled at the screen.
Jay:
Already did.
The typing bubble disappeared.
Then nothing.
For a few seconds, the chat stayed still.
No jokes.
No teasing.
No dramatic comeback.
Just silence.
My heart picked up.
Then—
Keifer:
I love you untill scientist find the end of the universe ❤️🔥💋
I stared at the words.
Not teasing.
Not joking.
Not dramatic.
Just… honest.
My thumbs flew.
Jay:
I love you more.
Three dots.
Then—
Keifer:
Not possible. But I'll allow the attempt.
I laughed into my pillow.
I lay there in the dark, phone pressed to my chest, smiling like an idiot.
Some truths take years to arrive.
Some love takes time to return.
But that night, under my blanket, with Keifer's words glowing on my screen—
I knew one thing for sure:
We weren't just together.
We were choosing each other.
Again. 💫