ᕙ༼Keifer's༽ᕗPOV
"Jay, I'm so sorry. I know I overreacted and I feel terrible about it. I honestly don't even have the courage to call you right now because I'm so ashamed of how I acted. Please forgive me. I promise the second I get home, I'm going to make this up to you."
ᕙ༼Jay Jay's༽ᕗPOV
I was feeling so overwhelmed at home that I ended up getting into an argument with Kuya.
Honestly, my chest felt so tight, like I couldn't even breathe in that house.The worst part was when Kuya started scolding me so harshly. Everyone was right there—Tita, Lola, Aries, even Mamma—but they all just sat in silence. No one stood up for me.
I felt so small and completely helpless, standing there with tears blurring my eyes while everyone just watched.
Even Keifer is angry with me now.I know I shouldn't have overreacted, and I know I'm at fault, but the way everything happened just broke me.
The sun hadn't even fully risen at 6:00 AM, but the weight in my chest was already crushing me. The moment I opened my eyes, the suffocation of yesterday's silence rushed back—the memory of everyone watching me cry and no one saying a word.
Before I could even sit up, the first few tears were already rolling down my cheeks. I felt trapped in my own home, every breath feeling like lead.
When I finally walked into class, my eyes were puffy and my spirit was clearly broken. It didn't take long for the group to notice.
The heavy atmosphere of my 6:00 AM breakdown finally started to lift as the boys went into full "distraction mode." They knew exactly how to make me laugh by leaning into the most ridiculous inside jokes.
Felix: (Pointing at Mayo) "Guys, look at him. He's glowing. It's definitely the pregnancy glow."
Mayo: (Rubbing his stomach dramatically) "Honestly, the morning sickness is killing me. And the cravings? All I want is spicy ramen and Kit's attention."
Kit: (Backing away, hands up) "Whoa, whoa! Why am I always the father in this scenario? I'm too young for this responsibility!"
Rory: "Don't run from your duties, Kit! We saw you sharing your chips with him yesterday. That's basically a marriage proposal in this group."
Adrix: "I'll be the godfather. But I'm teaching the kid how to gamble with lunch money. It's an essential life skill.
Calix: "And I'm the cool uncle who lets him stay up past his bedtime. Mayo, are you having a boy or a girl? Or is it a mini-Kit who's just going to be confused all the time?"
Mayo: (Leaning into Kit's shoulder) "It's a boy, and he's going to have Kit's bad attitude and my fabulous hair. Kit, tell them you'll pay for the diapers."
Kit: "I'm broke! The baby is going to have to wear recycled homework papers at this rate."
David: "I've already started the baby shower plans. We're having it in the cafeteria, and the theme is 'Identity Crisis.'"
Eman: "I'll bring the 'milk,' which is just stolen juice boxes from the teachers' lounge."
Felix: (To me, winking) "See? You can't be sad when Mayo is about to go into labor right here in Algebra class. Kit, start breathing exercises, go!"
I couldn't help it—a genuine laugh finally broke through my tears. These idiots were exactly what I needed.
"Ulupong's".
The scene was chaotic. Ram's men dragged me into the warehouse, half-conscious after they had ambushed me.
I had fought back—I managed to take down two of them with everything I had—but then a heavy blow to the back of my head sent the world spinning.
I fell to my knees, blood trickling down, feeling my strength fade.
Ram: (Laughing, grabbing my hair to force me to look at the camera) "Look at your little warrior, Keifer. She fought well, but she's bleeding now. Want to see more?"
Ram pulled out his phone and started a Video Call. Keifer's face appeared, distorted with pure, unbridled rage.
Keifer: (Voice growling through the speaker) "Ram, if you don't take your hands off her right now, I will burn everything you own. I am coming for you."
Ram: "You're too far, Keifer. You're halfway to the airport for your precious London meeting. Let's see how much you love her."
In front of the camera, while Keifer watched helplessly, Ram backhanded me across the face. The force made my head snap to the side, and I let out a choked sob.
Keifer: (Screaming through the phone) "STOP! RAM, STOP! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Ram: "Then get here. Or don't. Your choice."
Ram hung up, leaving me shivering on the cold floor.
After hours shivering on floor suddenly, the warehouse doors were kicked off their hinges. Keifer didn't just walk in; he stormed in like a demon.
He tore through Ram's guards, his fists a blur of violence until he reached Ram, pinning him against the wall and beating him until he couldn't move.
Keifer didn't waste another second on the fight. He scooped me up into his arms, ignoring the blood on his own shirt.
Me: (Whispering, clutching his jacket) "Keifer... you're going to miss your flight... London..."
Keifer: (Tears in his eyes, his voice trembling) "To hell with London. You're bleeding. I'm not leaving you like this."
He rushed me to the Hospital, refusing to let go of my hand until the doctors forced him to stay in the hallway. Only after the doctor confirmed I was stable—and after he made sure my friends Rory and Felix were there to guard my door—did he finally look at the clock.
Keifer: (Leaning down, kissing my bandaged forehead) "I have to go now to fix the mess Ram started with the company... but I'm coming back for you. I promise."
He turned and ran toward the exit, heading straight for the airport, leaving me safe but heartbroken as I watched him disappear down the corridor.
While Keifer was in the air, the hospital room door burst open, and "the boys" flooded in, led by Mayo and Kit.
Mayo: (Dramatically fanning himself) "Move over, move over! I'm the one in labor here, but she's the one getting the private room? This is hospital favoritism, I tell you!"
Kit: (Sighing, holding a bunch of cheap grocery store flowers) "Mayo, please. You're making the nurses think we escaped from the psych ward. Here, I brought these. I had to fight an old lady for the last bouquet, so you better appreciate them."
Felix: (Checking your IV bag) "Is this pure sugar? Because you're already sweet enough. Also, can I have some? I haven't eaten since second period and David ate my lunch."
David: "I was stress-eating! Do you know how hard it is to maintain this physique while our friend is being a literal action movie star?"
Rory: (Pulling up a chair and sitting backwards on it) "Seriously though, Jay. We heard you took down two of Ram's guys. I'm thinking of hiring you as my personal bodyguard. The pay is zero, but the company is excellent."
Adrix: "And don't worry about Keifer. We tracked his flight. If he doesn't text you the second he lands, we've already agreed that Mayo is going to 'accidentally' leak Kit's embarrassing middle name to the entire school."
Mayo: (Leaning over your bed, whispering loudly) "It's 'Barnaby.' He'll do anything to keep it a secret. You're safe with us, babe."
Kit: "MAYO! You weren't supposed to say it yet!"The room was filled with their chaotic bickering and laughter, and for the first time since that 6:00 AM breakdown, the suffocating feeling was completely gone.
After hours of resting and thinking about him.
My phone Buzzed.
Message from:(king bingi)
Message:
I just landed, but my heart is still back there in that hospital room with you. I'm so sorry I had to leave your side, especially after everything Ram put you through.
Seeing you hurt broke me in a way I can't even describe.You were so brave, Jay. I'm so incredibly proud of you for fighting back, but please, just rest now.
I've already talked to the boys—if Mayo tries to 'deliver' that imaginary baby in your room, tell Kit to kick him out for me.
I'm working as fast as I can here so I can fly straight back to you. Close your eyes and imagine me holding your hand. I love you, and I'm never letting anyone hurt you again. Sleep well, my warrior.
From me:
"You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. I'm okay, Keifer. Seeing you burst through those doors was the bravest thing I've ever seen. Don't worry about the company—just do what you have to do and come back to me. I'm safe here (mostly... Mayo is currently trying to steal my hospital Jell-O). I love you. Hurry home, my hero."
The second i hit 'send' and hugged my phone to my chest, the room went dead silent. I looked up to find seven pairs of eyes boring into you.
Mayo: (Gasping, clutching his 'pregnant' stomach) "Did you see that? The blush! It's spreading! Someone call a doctor, our girl is suffering from a severe case of Keifer-itis!"
Kit: "Ugh, look at her. She's literally sparkling. It's disgusting. I love it."
Felix: (Leaning over to peek at your screen) "Wait, did he call you 'his warrior'? Because if he did, I'm legally required to gag. That is so cheesy, I can smell the mozzarella from here."
Rory: "Leave her alone, Felix. She's a survivor. But Jay, seriously... if he starts writing poetry, we're stage-interventioning. We have standards in this friend group."
David: "I bet he's in London right now crying into a croissant because he misses her. I would. If I were a rich CEO. And had a girlfriend. And knew where London was."
Adrix: "It's in England, David. Anyway, look at her smile. I think we've officially been replaced by a text message."
Eman: "Group hug! If Keifer can't be here to squeeze her, we'll just have to do it for him. Careful with the IV!"
They all piled onto the edge of my bed, laughing and jostling each other, making sure I knew that while Keifer was the hero of my heart, they were the ones who would always keep me laughing through the pain.
Kuya: (Voice cracking) "I'm sorry, Jay-jay. I let my temper get the best of me, and I didn't protect you when you needed me most. Seeing you here... I realized how much I messed up. Please, forgive your brother."i nodded, tears of relief in my eyes as he hugged me.
After a week when everything is better and peacefull.
Then suddenly.
the peace didn't last long.
Suddenly, the lights flickered and went out. A group of masked men burst into the room, "grabbing" Kuya and dragging me out of room into a waiting van.
I were terrified, especially when I saw Tita, Aries, Lola, and even Keifer—who was supposed to be in London—all tied up in the back of a dark room, groaning in pain.
The darkness was heavy, and the air smelled like dust and damp concrete. My heart was hammering against my ribs so hard it hurt. I tried to move, but the ropes bit deep into my wrists and ankles, pinning me to a cold wooden chair.
Through the dim light, I saw them—the people who meant everything to me. Tita, Lola, and Aries were slumped over, tied up and motionless.
And then I saw Keifer. He looked broken, his head hanging low, unresponsive."Leave them alone!" I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat. I thrashed against the restraints, the chair scraping harshly against the floor.
"They have nothing to do with this! Take me instead! Please, just let them go!"I looked at Keifer, my vision blurring with hot, frantic tears.
"Keifer! Keifer, please wake up! Look at me!" My voice cracked as I turned toward the others, my chest tightening until I could barely breathe.
"Tita! Lola! Can anyone hear me?"The silence coming from them was the most terrifying part. I felt a wave of pure, agonizing helplessness. I was willing to give up my life, my safety, anything—just to see them move, just to know they were okay. I kept fighting the ropes until my skin was raw, my eyes never leaving Keifer's face, praying for him to just open his eyes.
Keifer looked like he was in agony, his head lolling to the side. I am sobbing, my heart breaking because i thought everyone me loved was being destroyed on my account.