Keifer's POV
By morning, the house was running on three different schedules.
Eces and Keigan left first.
Their school was across town, stricter, quieter. Keigan drove them both, and I watched from the doorway as Eces adjusted her bag and nodded at him before getting in. No words. Just understanding.
Keiren was next—different uniform, different timing, different world. He complained the whole way to the car about homework and teachers, then waved like nothing in the world could touch him.
And then there was Jay and me.
Our school.
Our Section.
Our noise.
The house emptied out in layers, and for the first time, it felt how fragmented everything really was.
At school, Section E tried to pull us back into normal.
Felix joked.
Rory exaggerated.
Ci-n observed quietly.
But I wasn't fully there.
My mind kept drifting—to Eces in a different building, different people, different triggers. To Jay, who wouldn't be coming back with me tonight. To the fact that in two weeks, everything would change again.
After school, I drove Jay to her place.
The car was quiet.
"I don't like leaving Eces," Jay said suddenly.
"I don't like you leaving," I replied honestly.
She smiled at that, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.
The car was parked outside Jay's house, engine still running.
Neither of us moved.
Jay kept her hand in mine, thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles like she was memorizing the feeling. The street was quiet, her family's lights already on inside, waiting for her—but for a moment, it felt like the world had paused just for us.
I turned toward her.
She didn't say anything. She didn't need to.
I leaned in, slow, giving her time to pull back if she wanted to—but she didn't. Our lips met softly at first, then lingered. Not rushed. Not desperate. Just long and steady, like we were trying to store the moment somewhere safe.
Her hand slid up to my collar, fingers curling there. I felt her exhale against me, warm and familiar, and my chest tightened in a way I couldn't explain.
Two weeks, I reminded myself.
When we finally pulled back, our foreheads stayed pressed together.
"I hate this part," I admitted quietly.
Jay smiled, eyes soft. "I know."
I kissed her again—brief this time, but full of promise.
"Go," I said gently. "Before I decide not to let you."
She laughed under her breath, kissed my cheek, and opened the door.
"I'll see you tomorrow," she said.
"Always," I replied.
She stepped out, glanced back once more, and then went inside.
I stayed there for a few seconds after she disappeared, hand still warm where she'd held it.
When I finally drove back home, only Eces's shoes were by the door—Keigan hadn't returned yet, Keiren still out.
The house was too quiet again.
Eces sat in the living room, reading, legs tucked under herself. She looked up when she heard me.
"You're back early," she said.
"Yeah," I replied.
She nodded, sensing more than I said. She always did.
As I went upstairs, one thought stayed with me—
Different schools.
Different houses.
Different lives.
And yet somehow, all of it was still tangled together.
Whether we liked it or not.
Jay's POV
The door clicked shut behind me, and just like that, I was home.
"Jay!" Mom's voice came first—warm, familiar, a little worried. She was already walking toward me from the living room, arms open. I stepped into her hug without thinking, breathing in the scent that always meant safe.
"You're back late," she said, pulling away to look at my face. "Did you eat?"
I smiled. "Yes, Mom."
Tita Gema peeked out from the kitchen. "She definitely didn't eat properly," she said with mock seriousness. "Look at her. Too thin."
"I am not," I protested, laughing.
Aries leaned against the wall, arms crossed, grinning like he'd been waiting. "So. Mrs. Almost-Watson."
I groaned. "Don't start."
Kuya Angelo came out last. He didn't say anything at first—just looked at me carefully, like he always did. Then he nodded once. "You're okay?"
"Yes," I said softly. "I am."
He seemed satisfied with that.
Mom noticed my bag and reached for it. "You're staying here now, right?"
"For a bit," I replied. "Eces is staying with Keifer."
Mom's expression softened immediately. "Good. She needs space too."
We moved into the living room together. Everyone talked at once—questions about shopping, dresses, colors. I answered automatically, smiling, laughing when expected.
But my mind kept drifting back to the car. To Keifer's hand in mine. To the way he'd held me like he didn't want to let go.
Mom handed me a glass of water. "You look tired."
"I am," I admitted.
"Wedding tired," Tita Gema teased.
I smiled, but my chest tightened.
I was happy—truly. Surrounded by family. Safe.
And yet…
Part of me was already missing the quiet of Keifer's house.
Missing the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn't watching.
Missing Eces down the hall.
As I headed toward my room later, Mom called after me, "Sleep well, Jay."
"I will," I said.
But when I closed the door and sat on my bed, I pressed my fingers lightly to my lips and whispered to the empty room,
"Two weeks."
It felt far.
And impossibly close at the same time.
Keifer's POV
Me and Eces drove towards Jay's house because Eces kept on saying that she want to stay with her .
Well, that's what I told myself, because the real reason was that I missed her .
The moment we arrived at the house .
We heard someone shout .
I knew something was wrong the moment I heard Jay shout.
Not raise her voice—
shout.
It came from the living room, sharp and shaking, cutting straight through the house.
"What do you mean you HID this from me?"
I was on my feet before I realized it.
Jay stood near the table, a paper clenched in her hand—creased, old, familiar in the worst possible way. Angelo was facing her, jaw tight, saying nothing. And I… I already knew.
The letter.
The one Eces had written.
The one we agreed not to show Jay.
The one we thought we were protecting her from.
"You both knew," Jay said, her voice breaking. "You both read this and decided I didn't deserve to know?"
"Jay—" Angelo started.
She laughed, sharp and breathless. "Don't. Don't explain this to me."
Her eyes snapped to me. "You too?"
I didn't lie. "Yes."
The word landed hard.
Her hands started shaking.
"She talks about meeting me," Jay said, waving the letter. "About watching me. About knowing me before I knew her. And you thought—what—that I'd just… be fine not knowing?"
"Jay, we were trying to—"
"Protect me?" she cut in. "By lying?"
She turned suddenly and walked toward the hallway.
"Jay—" I reached for her, but she was already moving.
Straight to Eces .
She was standing at the doorway.
Jay held the letter out with trembling hands. "Did you meet me before?"
Silence.
Eces's face drained of color.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jay whispered. "Why did you hide this from me?"
Eces stood slowly. "Ate, please—"
Jay's breathing hitched.
Once.
Twice.
Then it broke completely.
Her chest started rising too fast, breaths shallow and uneven, like she couldn't pull air in deep enough. Her fingers clawed at the edge of the paper as her eyes went unfocused.
"Oh God," I muttered. "Jay—"
She shook her head, panic flooding her face. "I can't— I can't breathe—"
I moved toward her, instinct screaming at me to hold her—
"Stop."
Eces's voice cut through the chaos.
Not loud.
Firm.
She stepped forward, placing herself directly in front of Jay.
"Ate. Look at me."
Jay couldn't. Her eyes were glassy, lost somewhere else.
Eces didn't panic.
She lowered herself to Jay's eye level and spoke slowly, evenly—like she'd done this before. Like she'd learned it the hard way.
"Ate, listen to my voice," Eces said. "Not the thoughts. Just me."
Jay's breath stuttered.
Eces raised her hand—not touching yet. "Count with me. Not numbers. Colors."
Jay blinked weakly.
"Name five things you can see," Eces said gently.
Jay swallowed. "Y-your shirt… the door… Kuya… your bracelet… Keifer."
"Good," Eces said immediately. "Four things you can feel."
Jay's hands trembled. "The paper… my sleeve… the floor… your hand."
Eces took her hand then. Warm. Steady.
"Three things you can hear."
Jay's breathing slowed—just a fraction. "Your voice… the clock… Keifer."
My chest tightened.
"Two things you can smell."
"Soap," Jay whispered. "Coffee."
"One thing you can taste."
Jay closed her eyes. "Mint."
Eces stayed with her. Didn't rush. Didn't overwhelm.
"Now breathe with me," she said softly. "In. Slow. Out. Slower."
Jay followed. Once. Twice.
Her shoulders dropped.
The panic receded, leaving her exhausted, trembling—but breathing.
I realized then—
Eces wasn't guessing.
She knew exactly what to do.
Jay leaned forward suddenly, resting her forehead against Eces's shoulder. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't mean to—"
Eces wrapped her arms around her without hesitation.
"It's okay," she said quietly. "You're safe."
I stood there, stunned.
At the irony.
At the guilt.
At the truth hitting me all at once.
We thought we were protecting Jay from Eces's past.
But Eces—
She'd been protecting Jay all along.
Eces's POV
Ate stayed quiet for a few seconds after her breathing fully settled.
Then she straightened.
That alone told me someone was about to regret their life choices.
She wiped her face quickly, took one steady breath, and walked towards them. I followed—slowly, quietly—stopping near them .
Keifer and Angelo were standing in the hall.
Jay crossed her arms.
"You two," she said, voice calm in the dangerous way, "are in serious trouble."
Keifer opened his mouth. "Jay, listen—"
"No," she cut in instantly. "You listen."
Angelo sighed, already knowing this was a losing battle. "Jay, we hid it because we thought—"
"You thought for me," she snapped. "You decided I couldn't handle the truth about my own sister."
Keifer rubbed his face. "We were trying to protect you."
Jay laughed once. Sharp. Unamused. "Congratulations. You failed."
Silence.
Then Angelo tried again, softer this time. "Jay—"
She pointed at him. "Don't even start."
Keifer exchanged a look with Angelo—the universal this is going nowhere look.
"What do you want?" Keifer finally asked.
Jay's eyes lit up just a little.
"Punishment."
I had to bite my lip.
"For the next week," Jay said firmly, "both of you will do everything I say. No arguments. No excuses. No 'I know better.'"
Keifer blinked. "Everything?"
"Yes."
Angelo frowned. "Jay, that's unreasonable."
She tilted her head. "So was hiding the letter."
Another pause.
Keifer exhaled slowly, already defeated. "Fine."
Angelo hesitated a second longer… then nodded. "Okay."
Jay smiled—bright, victorious, and absolutely terrifying.
I couldn't help it.
A small chuckle slipped out.
Jay turned toward me. "Don't laugh."
I shook my head, still smiling. "I'm sorry," I said. "I just didn't think I'd ever see both of them surrender at the same time."
Keifer groaned. Angelo muttered something under his breath.
Jay looked smug. "Good. Now go make tea. Both of you."
Keifer stared at her. "Right now?"
"Yes. See? Week's already started."
They walked away, defeated.
I leaned against the doorframe, watching them go, and shook my head lightly.
For the first time since the letter surfaced—
The house felt lighter.
And somehow, so did I.
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Spoilers for next chapter
~ Pamamanhikan ( Chapter 39 )
~ Pre-wedding rituals ( chapter 40 )
~ Wedding ( chapter 41 and 42 )