Jayjay'sPOV:
Omg, how long did I sleep? Three hours! And in those three short hours, I managed to get 20 messages.
15 in the group chat.
4 from Keifer.
1 from Sir Alvin (well, that one was in our school group).
First, I'll open the message from Sir Alvin.
Group: Section E ⛪🏚️
From: Sir Alvin 😇
"Section E, you have a five-day vacation because some guests are visiting the school for the next few days. However, your exams will be held immediately after the break, so I hope you use these five days to study."
Okay, five days of rest! (And studying, I guess). Now, I'll open Keifer's messages.
From: King Bingi > Hi, my queen ☺️
Are you awake?
I wanna call you. 🥺
I MISS YOU.
Omg, he just dropped me off and he's missing me already? My heart did a little flutter, but I'll reply to him later. Now, I have to check the 15 messages in our personal group to see what kind of chaos I missed.
I clicked on the group chat, and my phone almost vibrated out of my hand from all the unread notifications.
Group: The Ulupongs & The Mutya 👑🔥
Felix: VACATION!! 5 DAYS!! No Sir Alvin! No Math! No Stress! 🥳🥳🥳
Ci-N: But he said we have to study...
Felix: Ci-N, don't be a party pooper. "Study" is just a teacher's word for "Have fun but don't get caught."
Calix: Exactly. So, what are we doing? My house is boring.
Mayo: We should do something together! A picnic?
Eren: Ohhh, a picnic sounds fun! But where? The park is always crowded.
Drew: Let's just go to Keifer's place. His house is huge, it's basically a park anyway.
Felix: YEAH! Keifer's house! @Keifer King, open your doors for us!
I giggled as I scrolled through. They were already planning to invade Keifer's house without even asking him first. Typical Section E.
Keifer: Ask Jay. If she wants to go, we go. If not, stay at your own houses.
My heart did a little flutter. He was seriously leaving the whole decision to me.
Drew: That's not fair! What if she isn't convinced?
Mayo: Yeah, Drew has a point.
Kit: I don't think she will say no.
Eren: I'm pretty sure she will say no because we have exams in five days. You know she'll just say, "No, we have to study."
Why are they not stopping?
Yuri: Nah, she will say yes.
Edrix: Damn, what if she doesn't?
Felix: Yeah, she'll say yes!
Ci-N: Yeah, I also think she'll say yes.
Rory: Let's just ask Jay. I'll call her.
Keifer: No, don't call her. She is sleeping right now. Don't disturb her. When she wakes up, she'll see the messages and reply. You don't need to call her.
Calix: Ohhhhhhhhhhh, look who's protective about her sleep! 😝😜
Felix: Husband is using his "husband card" again.
Me: Shut up, all of you!
After sending that, I went to reply to Keifer's personal messages.
To: King Bingi
I just woke up and saw that chaos! I miss you too. Are you sure about having the party at your house? If I agree, will you really agree too?
I barely had time to put my phone down before it started ringing. It was him.
I picked up the call immediately.
"Hello?" I said.
"Hello. I miss you," his voice came through, sounding soft and sincere.
"Why? You just saw me three hours ago!" I giggled.
"Those three hours felt like three days," he replied.
"Okay, okay. So, we'll see each other tomorrow?"
"Are you agreeing to the party?" he asked, his tone hopeful.
"Ummm... yes."
"Fine, then. We'll meet tomorrow morning at 9 am."
"Why so early?" I asked, surprised. "I'm pretty sure the Ulupongs won't even be awake by then."
"So? I'm only inviting you at 9 am. I'll just text the others that you agreed and tell them a later time," he said smoothly.
"No, wait!"
"What? Why?"
"First, I need to ask Tita or Kuya Angelo," I reminded him.
"Fine, but ask them quickly. I don't think they're going to stop texting after your 'shut up' message. They've already sent six more!"
"Ok, bye then! I'll go ask them now."
"Love you, bye," he said.
"Love you too. And eat well!"
"Ok, my Queen."
I hung up and headed to the washroom to freshen up. I figured I'd check the group chat chaos later. Once I was ready, I went downstairs and found Tita in the kitchen.
"Good evening, Tita," I said, walking over to her.
"Good evening, Jay," she replied with a smile.
"Tita, Section E is having a sleepover party at Keifer's house... can I go?" I asked, feeling a bit nervous.
"Umm, yeah, sure! If your Kuya agrees, then I don't have a problem," she said kindly.
"Ok! I'll ask Kuya, then I'll tell you, and then I'll tell my classmates," I planned out loud.
"No need to make it such a long process," Tita laughed. "Just get permission from your Kuya and tell your friends. If you're scared he won't agree, talk to Ion first. She'll talk to him, and I'm sure he'll say yes."
"Thank you, Tita!" I said, giving her a big hug. She hugged me back warmly.
"Now go and talk to your Ate," she nudged.
I ran toward Kuya's room. Ate Ion lives there now since they had their simple church wedding—just a small ceremony with her family, ours, and some of Kuya's close friends. I knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Ate Ion's voice called out, and I pushed the door open. I Saw Ate Ion sitting on the bed.
"Ate Ion!" I said, moving closer.
"Oh, Jay! You're awake. You slept for a long time," she said with a smile.
"Yeah, I was really tired. But Ate, I need a favor," I started, trying to look as sweet as possible. "Section E is planning a sleepover picnic at Keifer's house since we have a five-day break. Tita said it's okay as long as Kuya Angelo agrees... can you help me ask him?"
Ate Ion giggled, knowing exactly why I was asking her instead of going straight to him. "So you're using me as your shield, huh?"
"No I'm not using you I'm just asking for your favour, Please? You know how Kuya is when it comes to Keifer and sleepovers!" I pleaded.
Just then, the bathroom door opened and Kuya Angelo walked out, drying his hair with a towel. He stopped when he saw me.
"What are you doing here, brat?" he asked, though his eyes were teasing. "And why do you have that 'I want something' look on your face?"
I looked at Ate Ion quickly, signaling her to start the mission.
"Angelo, actually the WHOLE of Section E is planning a sleepover," Ate Ion started, catching his attention. "Jayjay wants to go. She already asked me and Mom, but Mom said that as long as you agree, she can go. So... can you let her go?"
I swallowed hard, watching Kuya's expression shift instantly.
"Where?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave.
"Keifer's house," Ate Ion said before I could even open my mouth.
"No," he said directly.
"Why not?" I asked, feeling my heart sink.
"What if you get pregnant?" he said bluntly.
"Angelo! What are you saying to the child?!" Ate Ion snapped, her voice full of anger. "Her whole class will be there, so how can you even think that?"
"I know Keifer very well," he muttered stubbornly.
"She is going, and that's my decision," Ate Ion declared. "You're so delulu and dirty-minded for thinking that way!"
I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing out loud. No one had ever called Kuya "delulu" to his face like that! He just stood there quietly listening—honestly, Keifer is exactly like him.
"Ok, fine. She can go," he finally sighed, defeated by his wife. "But only for one night."
"No, she will go for two days," Ate Ion corrected, noticing my face fall when he said only one day. "One whole day and the next half-day."
"Ok, fine. You can go," he said, waving me off. "Now go to your room and tell your classmates."
I stood up immediately, beaming.
"Thank you, Ate!" I said, throwing my arms around her. She hugged me back warmly.
"Anytime. Now hurry up!" she encouraged.
I pulled away and ran to my room as fast as I could. I was so excited for this sleepover—and I couldn't wait to tell everyone (especially a certain someone) the good news.
Once I was back in my room, I grabbed my phone and opened the group chat. They were still at it.
Felix: She's awake! She's awake! Someone ask her!
Ci-N: Ask her, hurry up!
Edrix: Wait, her line is busy.
Rory: Keifer's line is also busy...
Calix: It means...
Felix: They're both on a call together!
Ci-N: Keifer is one step ahead of us. Clever.
Eren: Let's just wait until the lovebirds end their call.
Mayo: Yeah.
Kit: Wait, her line isn't busy anymore!
Drew: His line is clear too.
Calix: Which means...
Felix: The call has ENDED!
Edrix: Who's going to call her now?
Ci-N: I'll do it.
Keifer: Boys, wait.
Calix: Why?
Felix: What now?
Keifer: She's asking her family for permission.
Edrix: Oh shoot, I don't think her Kuya will agree.
Ci-N: I'm sure he will.
Eren: No, he won't.
Felix: He will!
Mayo: How do you guys even know?
Calix: Don't you remember Ate Ion is there? Jay will ask her, then Ate will ask Kuya. I'm pretty sure he won't say no to Ate Ion.
Kit: He has a point.
Mayo: But do you really think he'll agree once he hears the party is at Keifer's house?
Ci-N: Let's just wait for her.
That's my boy, I thought with a smile. These Ulupongs were filling up my storage with all these messages. Time to tease them a little.
Me: Guys... 😞
Felix: Why did you use that emoji?!
Me: Because Kuya said...
Ci-N: Jay, just say it!
Calix: Why are you taking so long?
Drew: Hurry up!
Eren: Don't kill us with the suspense!
Yuri: He'll agree.
Mayo: Did he agree?
Kit: Look at the emoji. I don't think he did.
Edrix: Yeah, it looks bad.
Rory: Then what?
Keifer: Party's canceled. We aren't having a party without Jay.
Omg, that's my boy. He really wouldn't even have the party if I couldn't go. I decided to stop the torture.
Me: He AGREED! 🥳🤪😜
Felix: YAY! Tomorrow is party time! 🎉
Calix: WOO-HOOO! 🥳
Ci-N: OMG YES! 🎊
Eren: So, what time?
Mayo: Yeah, what's the plan?
Kit: Let's do 10 am.
Yuri: Too early!
Edrix: 3 pm?
Rory: Too late.
Drew: 1 pm?
Keifer: Perfect.
After talking with them, I headed downstairs to grab some dinner. Once I was finished, I went back to my room and got ready for bed. I needed my rest because tomorrow was officially party time.
Wait... what am I even going to wear?
I stared at my closet for a second before shaking my head. I'll decide in the morning. Within minutes of hitting the pillow, I drifted off to sleep.