Morning crept into the Fernandez house slowly, like it didn't want to disturb the calm.
Sunlight slipped through half-drawn curtains, landing softly on Jay's face. She stirred, not startled—just waking, the way people do when they feel safe. For a moment, she lay still, listening.
The house was awake.
Not loud. Not chaotic.
Just alive—footsteps in the hallway, the clink of cups, distant voices.
She sat up and rubbed her eyes, her gaze immediately drifting to her hand.
The ring caught the light again.
Jay smiled to herself.
Downstairs, the dining area looked fuller than usual. Someone had actually bothered to set the table properly—plates aligned, coffee brewing, breakfast spread out with effort.
Angelo stood near the counter, checking something on his phone.
"Everyone eats," he said without looking up. "We leave in an hour."
Groans followed.
Cin collapsed into a chair. "Why do mornings exist?"
"Because you sleep all day," Felix replied.
Keifer entered a moment later, hair still slightly messy, sleeves rolled up. His eyes instinctively searched the room—and softened when they landed on Jay.
She noticed.
He came and sat beside her, passing her a cup of tea without asking.
"You remembered," she said quietly.
He shrugged. "You don't like coffee on busy days."
That small detail made her chest warm.
Aries sat across from them, unusually quiet, observing everything like he was memorizing it. Section E filled the rest of the table, teasing, bickering, stealing food off each other's plates.
Angelo finally looked up.
"Listen carefully," he said. "This isn't a picnic. Stick together. No disappearing."
Everyone nodded—except Rory.
"What if we accidentally disappear?"
Angelo's stare answered him.
Leaving the House
By the time they stepped outside, the sun was fully awake.
Cars lined up in front of the house. Luggage, bags, and unnecessary excitement filled the air.
Jay stood at the steps for a second, adjusting her shawl.
Keifer noticed and slowed down.
"Nervous?" he asked.
"A little," she admitted. "Crowds."
He didn't say it'll be fine.
He said, "Stay with me."
Simple. Enough.
As they got into the car, Angelo watched from the front seat through the mirror. Jay caught his eye.
"You okay?" she asked him.
He nodded. "Just making sure everything goes right."
She smiled softly. "It already is."
For a brief second, Angelo looked… relieved.
The cars pulled away from the Fernandez house, sunlight flashing across windows, laughter echoing through open doors.
Jay leaned back in her seat, fingers laced together, heart steady.
The day was about to be long.
But she wasn't walking into it alone.
The moment the cars pulled to a stop, the noise hit them.
Horns blaring, people talking over one another, shopkeepers calling out from open doors—the city was wide awake, far louder than the calm they'd left behind at the Fernandez house.
Jay stepped out last.
She paused instinctively, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag. The crowd moved in waves—faces, colors, voices blending together.
Keifer noticed immediately.
He didn't ask.
He simply moved closer, his shoulder brushing hers as he stood slightly in front of her—not blocking her view, just creating space.
"Stay here," he said quietly.
She nodded.
Angelo scanned the area like a hawk, already in work mode. "We split into groups," he announced. "But nobody goes alone."
Section E protested instantly.
"We'll behave!"
"Define behave."
"Okay we'll try."
Angelo ignored them and turned to Jay. "You with me first. Bridal stores."
Jay hesitated, then glanced at Keifer.
He met her eyes. "I'll be around."
That was enough.
They started walking.
The streets were lined with glass windows and fabric displays—mannequins dressed in heavy lehengas, pastel gowns, intricate embroidery catching the sunlight. Jewelry stores gleamed, lights reflecting off gold and gemstones.
Jay's senses felt overloaded.
So many choices.
So many expectations.
Inside the first bridal store, cool air greeted them, but the mirrors made everything feel brighter, sharper.
A saleswoman approached instantly, eyes lighting up when she saw Jay.
"Bride-to-be?"
Jay nodded.
"Congratulations," the woman smiled. "What are you looking for?"
Jay opened her mouth—then stopped.
She didn't know how to explain what she wanted without sounding complicated.
Angelo stepped in smoothly. "Nothing too heavy. Elegant. Comfortable."
The woman nodded knowingly and gestured toward a row of dresses.
Jay ran her fingers lightly over the fabric, but her breathing slowed just a bit too much.
Keifer lingered near the entrance, pretending to check his phone but watching her reflection in the mirror.
He saw it—the way her shoulders stiffened.
He walked over quietly. "Too much?"
She exhaled. "A little."
"Then we slow down," he said simply. "No rush."
Outside, Section E pressed their faces against the glass dramatically.
Felix cupped his hands. "BLINK TWICE IF YOU'RE BEING HELD HOSTAGE."
Jay laughed despite herself.
The saleswoman smiled. "You have a lively family."
Jay looked around—the chaos, the protection, the patience.
"Yes," she said softly. "I do."
The day had just begun.
Angelo noticed it before anyone else did.
Jay's smile was still there, polite and soft, but her fingers had curled tighter into the fabric she was holding. Her eyes lingered too long on the mirror, not admiring—measuring. Calculating. The kind of look that came when too many thoughts crowded in at once.
He didn't say anything.
Instead, he took a step back.
Literally.
"Take your time," Angelo said to the saleswoman, his voice calm. "We'll look around."
The woman nodded and moved away without question.
Keifer glanced at Angelo, surprised. Angelo met his eyes briefly—just a look that said I see it too.
Jay hadn't even realized the pressure lifting until it did.
The room suddenly felt… wider.
She let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
Angelo walked toward a display near the corner, pretending to examine accessories, giving her space without making it obvious. It was the same way he'd always protected her—never loud, never possessive, just present when it mattered.
Jay noticed anyway.
She always did.
"Thank you," she said softly, not looking at him.
Angelo didn't respond right away. Then, quietly:
"You don't owe anyone a version of yourself today."
That made her pause.
Keifer shifted closer again, this time standing beside her instead of in front. Not shielding—supporting.
"You wanna step outside for a minute?" he asked.
Jay considered it, then shook her head. "No. I just needed… a second."
He nodded. "Then we stay."
Outside the glass walls, Section E had moved on from yelling to ranking mannequins.
"That one looks angry."
"That one looks like it judges you."
"That one's definitely Felix in another life."
Jay laughed under her breath, tension easing from her shoulders.
She turned back to the rack, this time choosing a piece on her own—simple, light, nothing dramatic.
Angelo watched from a distance, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable but steady.
This wasn't about control.
It was about trust.
And Jay—standing there, calmer now, choosing at her own pace—was doing just fine.
The trial room curtain slid shut with a soft sound.
For a moment, Jay just stood there, holding the outfit in her hands.
It was lighter than she expected.
Not heavy with stones or layers. Just soft fabric, gentle embroidery—something that didn't demand attention, but invited it.
She changed slowly, carefully, like she was afraid to rush the moment.
When she finally stepped in front of the mirror, she froze.
The girl looking back at her felt unfamiliar.
Not because she looked different—
but because she looked… at peace.
The outfit fell perfectly, not clinging, not overwhelming. It didn't make her feel smaller or larger than she was. It just fit.
Jay lifted her hand, the ring catching the light.
Engaged.
Chosen.
Her throat tightened.
For a second, old memories threatened to surface—mirrors that once reflected fear, judgment, expectations she could never meet.
She inhaled slowly.
This is not that.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Jay?" Keifer's voice. Careful. "You okay?"
She swallowed. "Yeah. You can… look."
The curtain parted.
Keifer stopped breathing.
He didn't smile immediately. Didn't joke. He just looked at her like the world had narrowed down to that small space.
"You don't look like someone trying on wedding clothes," he said quietly.
Jay frowned a little. "Then what do I look like?"
"Like someone who already belongs there."
Her eyes burned.
From the corner, Angelo watched silently. He didn't comment, didn't intrude—only nodded once to himself, as if something he'd been carrying finally eased.
Section E, of course, ruined the moment.
"BRO HE'S SPEECHLESS—THIS IS HISTORIC."
"TAKE A PICTURE, HE FORGOT HOW TO TALK."
Jay laughed, wiping her eyes quickly.
Keifer exhaled and finally smiled. "Ignore them."
"I am," she said softly. "For once."
She turned back to the mirror—not searching for approval this time.
Just recognition.
And she found it.
The peaceful bubble lasted exactly seven seconds.
The trial room curtain wasn't even fully closed again when the glass doors of the bridal store burst open.
"WE HAVE ARRIVED."
"MAKE WAY FOR THE GROOM'S PERSONAL SECURITY."
"WHY IS EVERYTHING SO EXPENSIVE."
Jay blinked.
Keifer groaned. "They're inside."
Section E poured in like they owned the place—sixteen boys, loud, curious, and absolutely unfiltered. One of them nearly tripped over a display stand.
The saleswoman froze, smile strained. "S-sir—this is a bridal store—"
Felix clasped his hands dramatically. "Exactly. We are emotionally invested."
Rory leaned toward a mannequin. "Why does this one look disappointed in me?"
Cin squinted seriously at a heavily embroidered lehenga. "How much does this weigh? Because emotionally, I'm already exhausted."
Jay tried not to laugh. Failed.
Keifer rubbed his face. "You were supposed to stay outside."
"We were bored," Blaster replied simply.
One of them spotted Jay in the outfit.
Silence fell.
Then—
"OH."
"OH NO."
"WHY DOES SHE LOOK LIKE THAT."
Jay stiffened. "Like what?"
"Like the reason our friend is never recovering," Felix said solemnly.
Keifer shot him a warning look, ears turning red.
Angelo stepped in before things escalated.
"That's enough," he said calmly—but his eyes held amusement. "You're embarrassing her."
Jay shook her head. "It's okay."
Section E instantly softened.
"She said it's okay," Rory whispered dramatically.
"Protect her at all costs," someone else muttered.
The saleswoman cleared her throat. "Would you like to see more designs?"
Before Jay could answer, Section E answered for her.
"Yes."
"No."
"Only if it's comfortable."
"Only if she likes it."
"And nothing too heavy."
Everyone stopped.
Angelo glanced at Keifer.
Keifer nodded.
Jay smiled—small, warm.
For all their noise, they were careful with her.
And somehow, in the middle of the chaos, the bridal store didn't feel intimidating anymore.
It felt like she wasn't alone in the mirror.
The saleswoman brought out the next outfit carefully, like it deserved respect.
This one was different.
Richer. Heavier. Deeper tones, more embroidery, the kind that made people stop and stare. It looked like something meant for ceremonies, for photographs, for tradition.
Jay took it in her hands.
It was beautiful.
But it weighed more.
She didn't say anything as she went back into the trial room. The curtain closed, muting the noise outside—but not completely.
"Bet this one's dramatic," Felix whispered loudly.
"I like dramatic," Rory replied.
"You are dramatic," Cin added.
Jay changed slowly.
The fabric was heavier on her shoulders. The mirror reflected someone… stunning. Regal. Perfect, even.
But her chest felt tight.
She shifted, adjusted the dupatta, tried to smile at her reflection.
This outfit didn't feel like hers.
It felt like expectations stitched into cloth.
When the curtain opened, the reaction was immediate.
Section E gasped like they'd rehearsed it.
"WOW."
"OKAY."
"SHE LOOKS—"
"—EXPENSIVE."
Keifer didn't say anything at first.
Angelo watched closely.
Jay's eyes flicked toward Keifer, just once. Not seeking praise—seeking honesty.
Keifer stepped closer. His voice stayed low. "Do you like it?"
She hesitated.
"It's… beautiful," she said carefully.
"That's not what I asked," he replied gently.
The room went quiet.
Jay looked back at the mirror, really looked this time.
"I don't feel comfortable," she admitted. "It feels like I'm playing a role."
Angelo nodded immediately. "Then it's a no."
The saleswoman blinked. "But it suits her perfectly—"
"She doesn't need to suit the dress," Angelo said calmly. "The dress needs to suit her."
That settled it.
Section E nodded like judges delivering a verdict.
"First one was better."
"Yeah, first one felt right."
"This one feels like it'd yell at you if you sat wrong."
Jay laughed, relief loosening her shoulders.
She went back inside, changed out of it, and when she came out holding the first outfit again, the difference was visible.
She was lighter. Breathing easier.
Keifer smiled then—soft, sure.
"That's you," he said.
Jay met his eyes and nodded.
Decision made.
Not because it looked good.
But because it felt right.
The decision settled over the store like a quiet agreement.
No applause.
No drama.
Just relief.
The saleswoman carefully wrapped the selected outfit, her tone respectful now, as if she understood this wasn't just another sale.
Jay watched the fabric disappear into layers of paper, feeling oddly emotional. It wasn't goodbye—but it felt like a step forward.
Outside, the street noise welcomed them back instantly.
Section E stretched like they'd survived a battle.
"Mission accomplished," Felix announced.
"No casualties," Rory added.
"Except my patience," Angelo muttered, already walking ahead.
Jay smiled, adjusting her bag as she followed.
Keifer stayed close—not hovering, just there. His hand brushed hers once, briefly, like a reminder.
They walked a short distance before stopping in front of a jewelry store.
This one was quieter.
Glass doors. Soft lights. Security standing still and alert.
Jay slowed without realizing it.
Keifer noticed. "Different nervous?"
She nodded. "Rings feel… permanent."
He tilted his head. "They're supposed to."
That should've scared her.
It didn't.
Inside, the air was cool and calm. The noise dropped instantly, replaced by a gentle hum and the soft clink of metal.
A staff member greeted them and led them to a counter.
"Wedding jewelry?" she asked kindly.
Angelo answered, "Yes. For the bride."
Jay stiffened at the word, then relaxed as the woman smiled at her—not assessing, not judging. Just warm.
Trays were brought out slowly—gold, diamonds, delicate designs and bold ones.
Jay leaned forward, careful, curious.
She tried one ring.
Then another.
They were beautiful—but none of them felt like hers yet.
Keifer watched her hands closely. Not the jewelry—her reaction.
"Too much?" he murmured.
She nodded slightly. "They're all trying too hard."
The woman laughed softly. "Then we'll try simpler."
She brought out a smaller tray.
Jay's fingers hovered, then stopped.
There.
She picked it up—simple, clean, understated. The light caught it gently, not loudly.
Keifer's breath caught.
She slipped it on.
And smiled.
Not the polite kind.
The real one.
Angelo leaned forward, eyes softening. "That one."
Jay looked at Keifer. "You think so?"
He nodded. "I knew you'd choose something honest."
Section E crowded behind them.
"That's it."
"Minimalist queen."
"She chose peace."
Jay laughed, shaking her head.
For the first time that day, she didn't feel watched.
She felt chosen.
While the staff finalized Jay's ring, another tray slid quietly across the counter.
"For the groom," the woman said.
Keifer blinked, almost caught off guard.
"Me?" he asked, genuinely confused, like he hadn't considered himself part of the ritual yet.
Angelo gave him a look. "Yes. You."
Keifer exhaled and leaned forward.
The rings were different—bolder, heavier, simpler in design but solid. He picked one up, turning it slowly between his fingers.
"This one?" the woman suggested.
Keifer shook his head. "Too loud."
He paused at another—plain band, slightly worn finish, nothing flashy.
He slipped it on.
Jay watched closely.
It fit perfectly.
Keifer stared at his hand longer than necessary.
Something in his chest settled.
"This feels… right," he said quietly.
Jay smiled, eyes soft. "It suits you."
Section E nodded in agreement like a council.
"Simple."
"Strong."
"Emotionally unavailable-looking."
Keifer shot them a glare. "I am standing right here."
Angelo rested a hand briefly on Keifer's shoulder. Not heavy. Not emotional. Just acknowledgment.
"Good choice," he said.
Keifer nodded once.
That ring wasn't just metal.
It was responsibility.
By the time they stepped out of the jewelry store, the sun had shifted slightly, heat mellowing into afternoon warmth.
Everyone looked tired.
Not drained—just full.
Angelo checked the time. "We eat. Then we go home."
No one argued.
They settled into a quiet restaurant nearby, nothing fancy. Comfortable chairs, muted music, the kind of place that let you breathe.
Jay sank into her seat, shoulders finally relaxing.
Keifer sat beside her, their knees brushing under the table.
Section E was unusually calm—low voices, lazy laughter, food arriving fast.
Jay picked at her plate at first, then slowly started eating properly.
Angelo noticed.
"You did good today," he said, not looking at her directly.
She paused. "I didn't feel rushed."
"That was the point," he replied.
Keifer glanced at her. "You okay now?"
She nodded. "Tired. But… good tired."
He smiled.
Across the table, Cin yawned dramatically. "Weddings should come with mandatory naps."
Felix leaned back. "I vote we never shop again."
Jay laughed softly, resting her chin on her hand.
For the first time that day, she didn't feel like a bride-to-be.
She just felt like herself—surrounded, supported, safe.
As they finished eating and stood to leave, Keifer lingered for a second.
"You handled today really well," he said quietly.
Jay looked at him. "Because you all stayed."
He nodded. "We will."
Shopping was done. For them
Not everything—but enough.
And somehow, that felt perfect.
Next was shopping for rest of them
The next stop wasn't one store.
It was many.
Angelo had warned them.
No one listened.
The shopping complex buzzed with energy the moment they stepped in—families everywhere, laughter echoing, bargaining voices overlapping, colors spilling from every storefront.
This time, no one stayed behind.
Tita Gemma walked ahead with Jay's mom, already deep in discussion.
"Pastels suit her," Tita Gemma insisted.
"But she glows in deeper shades," Jay's mom replied thoughtfully.
Jay walked between them, smiling softly, letting them talk about her without feeling invisible for once.
Behind them, Angelo coordinated like a general.
"Men's section on the right. Accessories after. No one disappears."
Percy raised a hand. "Hypothetically—"
"No," Angelo said flatly.
Section E followed, pretending not to listen, absolutely listening.
Shopping for the Family
The women's section became a swirl of fabric and opinions.
Jay's aunts held up outfits against each other, laughing when colors clashed. Someone called Jay over every few minutes.
"Jay, this one!"
"No, that one!"
"Turn around, let me see your face!"
She complied, amused, a little overwhelmed—but not alone.
Keifer hovered nearby, pretending to check prices while actually watching her expressions. Every time she looked unsure, he caught it.
"You don't like that one," he murmured once.
She shook her head. "Too heavy."
He nodded and quietly moved it aside without making a scene.
Across the store, the men were… struggling.
Aries stood stiffly while someone adjusted his collar.
"I feel like a mannequin," he muttered.
Felix grinned. "Stand still, mutya's brother."
Cin stared at his reflection seriously. "Is this how maturity looks?"
"No," Rory replied. "That's confusion."
Even Angelo got dragged into trying outfits.
Jay saw him step out in a traditional kurta, slightly uncomfortable.
She smiled. "You look nice."
Angelo paused. "I do?"
"Yes," she said simply.
He didn't change it after that.
Small Moments Everywhere
In between racks and counters, moments slipped in quietly.
Jay's mom adjusted her dupatta, then suddenly hugged her.
"You're really grown," she whispered.
Jay closed her eyes briefly, letting the moment exist without questioning it.
Nearby, Tita Gemma argued with a shopkeeper, laughter ringing out when she won.
Section E carried bags like unpaid assistants, complaining loudly but never dropping any.
Keifer paid without being noticed. Angelo noticed anyway.
They exchanged a look. Nothing said.
By Evening
By the time the sun dipped lower, everyone was exhausted.
Arms full of bags. Feet sore. Voices hoarse.
They gathered near the exit, leaning on each other, laughing at nothing.
Jay looked around.
Her family.
His family.
Friends who felt like both.
It didn't feel divided anymore.
It felt shared.
Keifer stood beside her, close enough that she could lean if she wanted.
She did.
He didn't move away.
Angelo watched the group quietly, then nodded to himself.
"This," he said finally, "is how it should be."
Jay smiled.
Not because everything was perfect.
But because everyone was here.
The parking area slowly divided into two sides.
On one end, cars waited to head toward Keifer's mansion—Section E already piling bags into trunks, loud even when tired.
On the other, the cars bound for the Fernandez house—family members settling in, conversations softer now.
It was unspoken, but everyone felt it.
This was the first time since the engagement that Jay and Keifer wouldn't be under the same roof.
Keifer stood near his car, talking briefly with Aries and Percy, giving instructions that sounded unnecessary—everyone knew he was just delaying.
Jay stood a few steps away, holding a bag to her chest, watching him.
When their eyes met, the noise around them faded.
Keifer walked to her.
No teasing.
No crowd.
Just the two of them, standing in the open, pretending this was easy.
"So," he said quietly, hands slipping into his pockets, "two days."
Jay nodded. "Just two."
He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Feels longer already."
She hesitated, then stepped forward.
The hug wasn't rushed.
Jay rested her forehead lightly against his chest, arms wrapping around him like she belonged there—because she did. Keifer's arms came around her instinctively, steady and protective, like he was memorizing the feeling.
"I'll miss this," she murmured.
He exhaled slowly. "Me too."
She pulled back just enough to look at him. "But after this… we won't have to count days anymore."
Keifer swallowed. "Forever sounds better."
Jay smiled softly. "Forever it is."
From a distance, Angelo watched silently, making sure no one interrupted. Section E, surprisingly, stayed quiet for once.
Keifer pressed his forehead briefly to hers—just a second.
"Be okay," he said.
"You too," she replied.
They stepped back, reluctantly.
Jay walked toward the Fernandez car, turning once to look back.
Keifer was still standing there, watching her like she might disappear if he blinked.
She lifted her hand slightly. He nodded.
Two Different Roads
Engines started.
Section E piled into Keifer's cars, already arguing about who got which room at the mansion.
"Shotgun!"
"You don't even drive!"
"I emotionally called it!"
Keifer got into his car last.
As they pulled away, he glanced in the mirror—just in time to see Jay's car turning the opposite direction.
Two roads.
One promise.
At the Fernandez house, Jay leaned back against the seat, fingers brushing over her ring again. Her heart felt heavy—but calm.
At Keifer's mansion, he sat quietly despite the noise, staring out the window, counting days in his head.
Two days.
And then—
They wouldn't have to say goodbye like this again.
The Fernandez house finally grew quiet.
Even the laughter from earlier seemed to have settled into the walls like a warm memory. Jay sat on the edge of her bed, phone in hand, staring at the screen like it might suddenly show a different message.
She didn't want to call him. She didn't want to sound desperate.
But she couldn't sleep without hearing his voice—or at least seeing his words.
Her thumb hovered over his name in her contacts.
Keifer Fernandez.
Her heart beat faster.
She typed a message, erased it, typed again.
Finally, she sent:
Jay: Are you okay?
She waited.
The screen didn't change for a while.
Then—
Keifer: I'm fine.
Keifer: You?
Jay stared at the screen.
It was simple. Too simple. Like he didn't want to worry her.
She replied:
Jay: I miss you.
The moment she hit send, she felt embarrassed. Like she was giving too much away.
But her phone buzzed almost instantly.
Keifer: Me too.
Jay's breath caught.
Then another message.
Keifer: Two days isn't long. But it feels like forever when I'm not with you.
Jay smiled, her eyes watering a little. She wiped them away quickly, not wanting to look too emotional.
She typed again.
Jay: I keep thinking about the ring. It feels real now.
Keifer: It's real.
Keifer: And so are you.
Jay blinked hard.
She didn't respond right away.
Instead, she read his words over and over until the tension in her chest eased.
Then she typed:
Jay: Promise me you'll sleep?
Keifer: I promise.
Keifer: But only if you promise the same.
Jay laughed softly.
Jay: Deal.
A few minutes passed in silence, the kind of silence that felt like being close even when far away.
Then Keifer sent one last message:
Keifer: When this is over… we won't have to count days anymore.
Jay stared at the screen, feeling warmth spread through her chest.
She replied simply:
Jay: Forever.
And in the quiet of the night, it felt like the word wasn't just a promise—it was already happening.
The mansion felt unusually quiet when the day started. It wasn't empty, but the air had a strange calm to it—like everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something that was already coming.
Keifer sat in the living room, staring at the ceiling as if he could memorize every crack and curve. He wasn't nervous. He wasn't scared. He just felt… heavy.
Blaster appeared with a bag of snacks and dropped it on the table like it was a weapon. "Bro," he said, trying to sound casual, "you need a party."
Keifer didn't look at him. "I don't want a party."
Felix leaned forward from the couch, his eyes shining with mischief. "You do want a party. You're just pretending you don't because you're scared."
Keifer finally glanced at him. "I'm not scared."
Aries walked in quietly and sat beside Keifer, his voice calm but serious. "You don't have to pretend you're not."
Keifer's jaw tightened. "I'm not pretending."
Aries looked at him for a moment, then said, "Then tell us what you're feeling."
Keifer stared at his hands. "I'm just… thinking."
Percy, who had been pacing around like a caged animal, stopped and looked at Keifer. "Thinking about her?"
Keifer didn't answer.
The room grew silent. Not the kind of silence that is peaceful, but the kind that is heavy with emotion.
Then Cin, the smallest of them all but always the loudest in his own way, shouted, "Okay, party time! Let's do this!"
Blaster immediately turned on music, the bass booming through the mansion. Felix tried to act like a DJ, flipping the playlist like he was in control of the world. Percy started bringing out drinks, and soon the living room looked like a celebration had already begun.
Keifer sat in the middle, watching them, smiling faintly. He didn't dance. He didn't joke. He just watched.
Blaster shoved a drink into his hand. "Drink. Groom drink."
Keifer looked at it, then looked up. "Why do I feel like this is a trap?"
Section E laughed.
"Because it's a trap," Blaster said. "A trap called friendship."
Keifer finally laughed too, and it felt strange. It felt like the first time he was allowed to laugh without feeling guilty.
The party continued. They ate, they joked, they teased him nonstop. Every time someone mentioned Jay, Keifer's face softened, but he didn't show it.
Felix leaned closer, his voice low. "You okay, bro?"
Keifer nodded. "Yeah."
Felix didn't believe him. "No you're not. You keep staring at your phone."
Keifer's eyes flicked to the phone on the table. It was silent. No messages. No calls. Just quiet.
He stood up and walked toward the balcony, leaving the noise behind.
The air outside was cool. The city lights stretched far below like scattered stars. Keifer breathed in slowly, trying to calm his racing heart.
He pulled out his phone and opened the chat.
His fingers hovered over the screen.
Then he typed.
Keifer: Are you awake?
His heart beat faster as he waited.
The reply came quickly.
Jay: Yeah.
Keifer's lips curved into a small smile. The sound of the party faded, and for a moment, it was just him and her.
He typed again.
Keifer: I miss you.
He waited.
The message appeared.
Jay: I miss you too.
Keifer's chest tightened. He didn't realize how much he needed to hear that.
He turned around and walked back inside, his mind quieter than it had been all day.
Aries approached him, sensing the change.
"You okay now?" he asked softly.
Keifer looked at him. "I'm… better."
Aries nodded. "Good."
Then he added, "You know, you don't have to act like a man who doesn't care. It's okay to love her loudly."
Keifer stared at him, his eyes shining with a mixture of anger and affection. "I love her."
Aries smiled, a little sad. "I know."
The party continued, but the mood had changed. The jokes became softer, the laughter warmer. The boys were still teasing him, but now it felt like they were protecting him too.
Later, when the noise died down and the room grew quiet again, Keifer found himself sitting alone, staring at the empty glass in his hand.
He looked at the ring on his finger, the symbol of the promise he was about to make.
He thought about Jay, about the life they were going to build, about the love that had survived so much.
His heart felt full.
He whispered to himself, almost like a prayer, "Two days."
And for the first time, he wasn't afraid of the future.
He was just waiting for it.
At Fernandez house
Jay's friends arrived at the Fernandez house like a storm of laughter and bright colors. Freya, Rakki, Ella, Mica, Grace—each one carrying a bag, a smile, and the kind of energy that could lift anyone out of their thoughts.
They hugged Jay tightly, like they were trying to keep her from floating away.
"Finally!" Freya exclaimed. "The bride is here."
Rakki grinned. "We are not letting you get stressed."
Ella laughed. "No drama. No crying. Just fun."
Mica nodded seriously. "And lots of food."
Grace added, "And pictures. Lots of pictures."
Jay smiled, feeling her heart lighten. She didn't realize how much she needed this until she saw them. For the first time since the engagement, she felt like she could breathe without the weight of everything pressing down on her.
They decorated the living room with fairy lights and flowers, turning the space into something warm and soft. They played music, ate snacks, and laughed until their stomachs hurt. The noise felt comforting, like a blanket around her heart.
Freya pulled Jay aside, her eyes shining with a softness Jay hadn't seen in her before. "You look happy," she said.
Jay paused. "I am."
Freya nodded, satisfied. "Good. Because you deserve that."
Later, the girls sat in a circle on the floor. The room was dim, the lights glowing softly like stars. Jay stared at her hands, feeling the ring on her finger as if it were a heartbeat.
Mica spoke quietly, her voice gentle. "Jay… are you okay?"
Jay looked up, her eyes a little watery. "I'm… a little nervous."
Rakki reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "It's okay."
Ella added, "You're not alone."
Grace smiled softly, her eyes warm. "You have us. And you have him."
Jay closed her eyes for a moment, letting the love settle inside her chest. The nervousness was still there, but it felt smaller now. Like a storm that was passing.
"I know," she whispered.
The party slowed down as the night went deeper. The girls grew quieter, not because they were tired, but because they understood the moment. It wasn't just a party. It was the last night before everything changed.
Freya stood up and stretched, then looked at Jay with a smile that was both teasing and tender. "Two days left."
Rakki smiled too, her voice soft. "You're about to be Mrs. Watson."
Jay laughed, the sound small but genuine. She looked at her friends and felt something warm rise inside her. She was about to become someone else's forever. And even though it scared her, it also made her feel safe.
"Yeah," she said, her voice steady. "Two days."
And for the first time in a long time, Jay didn't feel like she was losing herself. She felt like she was finally finding where she belonged.