Keifer's POV
Three hours.
Three full hours of studying.
It didn't sound like much.
But for Section E?
It was nothing short of a historical achievement.
The living room looked like a battlefield aftermath — books open everywhere, notebooks filled, pens scattered, bodies slumped in chairs and on the floor like fallen soldiers.
Blaster was lying flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.
"I can see formulas floating."
Felix, sitting beside him, nodded seriously.
"Yes. That's called trauma."
Kit groaned.
"My brain has officially stopped working."
Mayo closed his book dramatically.
"I quit education."
Ci-n didn't even look up.
"You said that thirty minutes ago."
Mayo pointed at him.
"And I meant it emotionally."
Yuri calmly closed his notebook.
"Take a break. Your efficiency has dropped."
David nodded in agreement.
"He's right."
Denzel stretched his arms.
"My hand hurts."
Rory sighed.
"My soul hurts."
Drew added,
"My future hurts."
The room burst into tired laughter.
And then—
Jay stood up.
"That's enough. Lunch time."
Those two words instantly revived everyone.
Blaster sat up immediately.
"I love lunch."
Felix stood up next.
"I was studying for food."
Keiren ran toward the dining table like his life depended on it.
"I'm starving!"
Keigan followed, shaking his head.
"You were sitting."
"I was suffering," Keiren defended.
Eces walked calmly beside Jay, her expression softer than before.
I stood up and followed them.
Watching them.
Listening to them.
Feeling them.
Alive.
We all gathered around the dining table.
Plates were filled.
Food was served.
And just like that—
Chaos returned fully.
Felix took a bite and closed his eyes.
"This is the reason I'm alive."
Blaster nodded seriously.
"Education is temporary. Food is permanent."
Kit laughed.
"That's not how it works."
Ci-n spoke calmly while eating.
"That explains your grades."
Everyone laughed.
Blaster looked betrayed.
"You're supposed to be my friend."
"I never agreed to that," Ci-n replied calmly.
Jay laughed beside me, her shoulder brushing mine again.
That small contact…
It still affected me.
Keiren suddenly looked at Eces.
"Ate."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
He spoke seriously.
"If I score good marks… will Goddess Kali be proud of me?"
The table went silent for one second.
Then Eces answered calmly.
"If you study, yes."
He nodded seriously.
"Then I will study."
Keigan smirked.
"Miracle."
Felix clapped slowly.
"Character development."
Jay laughed softly.
I watched her.
Her smile.
Her peace.
Her presence.
And for the first time in a long time…
This house didn't feel empty.
It felt full.
Full of noise.
Full of warmth.
Full of family.
And as their laughter filled the dining room…
I realized something quietly.
I didn't just have friends.
I had something more.
I had them.
Jay's POV
Evenings always felt different after chaos.
They were softer.
Quieter.
Real.
The house, which had been filled with loud voices, arguments over answers, thrown cushions, and dramatic complaints about exams, was now slowly emptying itself. One by one, Section E left, their voices fading down the driveway, their laughter lingering in the air like a memory refusing to disappear.
I stood near the door as Ci-n dramatically waved goodbye like he was leaving for war instead of going home.
"Jay," he said, clutching his chest, "if I fail exams, remember me as a legend."
"You won't fail," I said, laughing.
He pointed at Keifer. "If I do, it's his fault."
Keifer scoffed. "Get out."
The door closed.
Silence followed.
Not uncomfortable silence.
Peaceful silence.
Behind me, Keiren was already sprawled across the couch, one leg hanging off the edge, his mouth slightly open. He had fallen asleep mid-complaint about math formulas.
Keigan had disappeared upstairs without a word, probably to his room.
Eces stood near the window.
She wasn't doing anything.
Just… standing.
Watching the sky.
The orange glow of sunset fell across her face, softening her sharp features, making her look smaller than she usually allowed herself to be.
Vulnerable.
I walked toward her slowly.
"Eces?" I called gently.
She didn't turn immediately.
Only after a moment did she glance at me, her expression calm, controlled.
"Yes, Ate?"
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"I'm okay."
It was her usual answer.
Short.
Simple.
Guarded.
I studied her for a moment, but I didn't push. Instead, I reached out and squeezed her hand gently.
She squeezed back.
That was enough.
For now.
I left her there and turned away.
And that's when I noticed him.
Keifer stood near the balcony, his back facing me, his broad shoulders outlined by the fading sunlight. His hands rested on the railing, his posture relaxed but distant.
He looked… peaceful.
And thoughtful.
Without thinking, I walked toward him.
The balcony door was slightly open, letting in the cool evening breeze. It wrapped around me as I stepped outside beside him.
He didn't turn immediately.
But I knew he felt me.
He always did.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
We just stood there, side by side, watching the sky slowly darken.
The world felt quiet.
Safe.
His hand moved slowly, deliberately, until his fingers found mine.
He intertwined them gently.
My heart softened instantly.
"Are you tired?" he asked quietly.
"A little," I admitted.
He glanced at me then, his eyes softer than I'd ever seen them.
"You studied well today."
I smiled faintly. "You sound like Kuya Angelo."
He chuckled under his breath.
"Don't insult me."
I laughed softly.
Silence returned again.
But it wasn't empty.
It was full of things we didn't need words for.
After a moment, I spoke.
"Keif…"
He looked at me.
"Are you excited about India?"
His thumb began tracing slow circles on my hand.
"Yes," he said.
Then his gaze deepened.
"But not because of the trip."
I frowned slightly. "Then why?"
He stepped closer.
His free hand moved to my waist, pulling me gently toward him.
"Because I'll be there with you."
My breath caught.
He leaned his forehead against mine.
"I don't care where we go," he whispered. "As long as you're with me."
My heart felt like it was melting.
I placed my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat beneath my palm.
Strong.
Steady.
Mine.
"I'm a little scared," I admitted quietly.
His hand tightened around mine.
"Of what?"
"The future."
He didn't hesitate.
"I'm not."
I looked up at him.
"Why?"
His eyes locked onto mine.
"Because you're in it."
My throat tightened.
He lifted his hand and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my skin.
"I will protect you," he said softly.
It wasn't dramatic.
It wasn't loud.
But it was absolute.
Certain.
Real.
I believed him.
Completely.
I rested my head against his chest, wrapping my arms around him.
He held me instantly.
Secure.
Warm.
Safe.
Above us, the sky darkened fully.
And in his arms, I realized something quietly, deeply important.
No matter what waited for us in India…
No matter what secrets.
No matter what past.
As long as I had him—
I wasn't afraid.
Third Person POV
Dinner that night was quieter than usual.
Not silent.
Just softer.
The kind of quiet that only exists between people who belong together.
All five of them sat around the dining table—Keifer at the head, Jay beside him, Eces across from them, and Keigan and Keiren filling the remaining chairs.
The warm yellow light above them cast gentle shadows across their faces. Plates clinked softly. The aroma of home-cooked food wrapped around them like comfort itself.
Keiren, of course, broke the peace first.
"Ate," he said to Jay, chewing dramatically, "when we go to India, can I ride an elephant?"
Jay blinked. "I… don't know?"
Eces answered calmly, "Yes. In some places."
Keiren gasped. "REALLY?"
Keigan chuckled. "You're more excited about elephants than the actual trip."
"Elephants are cool," Keiren defended himself.
Keifer leaned back in his chair, watching them with quiet fondness. This—this right here—was something he had never truly had before.
Family.
Not by blood.
By choice.
By love.
Jay noticed his expression and gently placed her hand on his thigh under the table. He looked at her instantly.
She smiled softly.
He smiled back.
No words needed.
Keigan spoke next, glancing at Eces.
"You'll show us everything, right?"
Eces nodded once. "Yes."
Keiren leaned forward again. "And temples?"
"Yes."
"And food?"
"Yes."
"And—"
"Eat your dinner," Keigan said flatly.
Jay laughed softly.
Keifer reached over and placed more food on Jay's plate.
"You didn't eat enough," he murmured.
She gave him a small look. "You're watching?"
"Always."
Her cheeks warmed.
Eces watched them quietly.
Something unreadable passed through her eyes.
Something gentle.
Something heavy.
Then—
Her phone vibrated.
The sound was small.
But in the quiet room, it felt loud.
Eces froze.
Her hand stopped mid-movement.
Her eyes slowly lowered to the screen resting beside her plate.
Caller ID.
For a moment—
She didn't breathe.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Keigan noticed immediately.
"Eces?"
She didn't answer.
Jay and Keifer both looked at her now.
Her eyes stayed locked on the screen.
The name staring back at her like a ghost she couldn't escape.
Her jaw tightened.
Her fingers curled slowly into her palm.
The phone continued vibrating.
Waiting.
Demanding.
Calling her back to something she wasn't ready to face.
"Eces?" Jay said gently.
Eces blinked.
Just once.
Then she grabbed the phone and turned it face down.
"It's nothing," she said calmly.
Too calmly.
Keifer's eyes narrowed slightly.
Jay studied her face.
She was lying.
They both knew it.
But neither of them pushed.
Not now.
Not tonight.
The moment passed.
Conversation slowly returned.
Keiren started talking again.
Keigan rolled his eyes.
Jay laughed.
Keifer listened.
And Eces—
Eces stayed quiet.
Her untouched phone resting beside her like a secret waiting to break.
—
Later that night.
The house was asleep.
Keiren had fallen asleep first, sprawled across his bed.
Keigan soon after.
Jay and Keifer, wrapped in each other's arms, breathing in sync.
Peaceful.
Safe.
But Eces—
Eces stood alone on the balcony.
The night air was cool against her skin.
The world was silent.
Above her, the moon hung high and full.
She stared at it.
Unblinking.
Unmoving.
Her phone rested in her hand.
The missed call notification still glowing faintly.
India.
Her grip tightened.
Slowly, her other hand rose to the pendant around her neck.
A small pendant.
Simple.
But sacred.
She clutched it tightly.
Her knuckles turned pale.
And then—
Her hands.
They began turning red.
Not visibly glowing.
But flushed.
Angry.
Alive.
Her jaw clenched.
Her breathing slowed deliberately.
Controlled.
Forced.
She closed her eyes.
And whispered softly.
Quietly.
In Hindi.
" Maa ... Kali ... "
( Goddess Kali )
Her breathing trembled once.
Then steadied.
Her eyes hardened as she looked at the moon.
" Unhe jo karna hai karne do, jise bulana hai bulane do .. "
(Let them do whatever they want , let them call anyone …)
Her fingers tightened around the pendant.
" Main apna bhi ..... aur uska bhi badla lekar rahungi "
(I will take mine… and her revenge too.)
A tear slid down her cheek.
But her eyes no longer held fear.
Only fire.
Only promise.
" Iss baar .... Main nahi rukungi ... Aap unhe shakti dena ... "
(This time … I will not stop ... Give them strength ... )
The night remained silent.
But something inside her had already begun.
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Just creating a little suspense...
And what do you think about the phone call ??