JAY'S POV
When I opened my eyes, a wave of dizziness immediately hit me. After a few seconds, I finally managed to compose myself and looked around the room.
White ceiling.
That annoying beep… beep… beep sound.
Ah.
Hospital again.
I already wanted to go home. Somehow, I managed to sit up and lean against the headboard carefully. Just then, the door opened and Kuya Angelo and Kuya Cris walked inside. The moment they saw me awake, both of their shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Kuya…" I whispered weakly.
They immediately sat on either side of me. Kuya Angelo gently looked at me.
"Jay, how are you feeling now?"
Kuya Cris spoke right after him.
"Jay Jay, are you okay now?"
I gave them a small smile.
"I'm fine, my kuyas."
A brief silence filled the room. Then Kuya Angelo looked down guiltily.
"Jay Jay… I'm sorry. I know—"
But I immediately cut him off.
"It's okay, Kuya. I already forgave you."
I looked at him softly.
"You made mistakes. So did I. Let's just start over."
And finally— He smiled. An actual smile. Seriously? Kuya Angelo smiling? I should record this historical moment. But I wisely kept that thought to myself because I was definitely not in the mood for a lecture.
Kuya Cris crossed his arms.
"Jay Jay, why didn't you inform me?"
I sighed dramatically.
"Didn't I tell you? I was going to handle him my way."
Kuya Cris raised an eyebrow.
"And now you're in the hospital."
I shrugged carefully.
"Worth it. From today onward, he won't mess with me again."
Kuya Angelo's expression suddenly darkened.
"He can't mess with anyone anymore."
I frowned.
"Why?"
Kuya Cris answered quietly.
"He's dead."
My eyes widened in shock. Kuya Cris looked away slightly before continuing.
"He killed himself. He lost. He couldn't face the embarrassment anymore."
Silence. I didn't know what to say.
"Oh…"
After a while, another thought suddenly crossed my mind. I narrowed my eyes at both of them.
"Wait… when did you two start talking?"
Kuya Angelo coughed awkwardly.
"The day you introduced Aries and Percy to him."
I blinked once before nodding.
"Yeah… not surprising. He definitely told you everything."
Kuya Cris suddenly looked serious again.
"The doctor said you're weak. Why haven't you been eating properly lately?"
Oh no. Not this conversation.
"Aaah… it's… that… I…"
Kuya Cris gave me the stare.
"Jay Jay."
I immediately raised both hands dramatically.
"Please, CCTV! I'm not ready for a lecture right now. I'm hungry. Please?"
Kuya Cris sighed deeply.
"Fine. We'll talk later. I'll bring food first."
I nodded happily like a child. Both of them stood up and left the room. But before I could even breathe peacefully— The door burst open again. Section E stormed inside like wild animals.
Percy immediately rushed toward me dramatically.
"BABY SISATH!! Did you miss my handsome face?!"
Ci-n instantly looked offended.
"You have an ugly face."
Percy gasped.
"Shut up, you shorty!"
Ci-n pointed at him angrily.
"You circumcised monkey!"
Percy looked horrified.
"Shut up, brat!"
And just like that— They started fighting.
Again.
Meanwhile, the rest of Section E stood there enjoying the show instead of stopping them. Someone save me. I held my head dramatically.
"Shut up already. You're making me dizzy."
The entire room instantly went silent. Wait. Why were they all staring at me like that? I wasn't going to murder them.
Probably.
I frowned.
"Stop looking at me like that. Now tell me why you're all here."
Ci-n immediately answered.
"Keifer wants to see you."
Rory nodded.
"Yeah. He's been asking for you nonstop. We came to take you to him."
For a moment—
My brain completely stopped functioning. He wanted to see me? Talk to me? But… I wasn't ready. What if he told me to stop hoping? What if he said something hurtful again?
What if—
Ahh.
Stop overthinking, brain.
I looked away quietly.
"I don't want to see him… not yet."
Edrix tried speaking.
"But Jay, he—"
I immediately shook my head.
"I'll meet him when I'm ready. Right now, I just want to rest."
They all exchanged glances before nodding quietly. No one argued further. After they finally left, I let out a long breath. The truth was— I really wanted to meet him. But I still wasn't ready to face him. Or face the truth. I was still drowning in my thoughts when my phone suddenly buzzed. One of the Serpents must've found it.
I checked the screen.
FROM : GagonBaliw
MESSAGE:Can't wait to see you, my queen.
For fuck's sake. Could this idiot stop flirting for one minute? I barely even replied to his messages these days. Out of boredom, I randomly started scrolling through our old chats and call history. Then my eyes landed on something.
13 February.
The same day me and Keifer fought Ram. And suddenly— Everything clicked.
I never called GagonBaliw that day. Actually… I only remembered accidentally calling someone. Then how did keifer suddenly show up there so fast?
Unless—
No way.
Could he actually be—
But why would he hide it?
He never admitted it. But he never denied it either. And after a while, I stopped asking. My heart suddenly started beating faster.
Let's find out.
I quickly typed a message.
TO: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE:Hey.
The reply came almost instantly.
FROM:GagonBaliw
MESSAGE:Hello, my life.
I covered my face with a pillow dramatically. Control yourself, Jay Jay. I typed again.
TO: GagonBaliw
MESSAGE:I'm calling you.
Then I pressed the call button. He picked up in one ring. I took a deep breath.
"Hey, GagonBaliw… I'm going to tell you a secret. Keep it between us, okay?"
A faint laugh came from the other side. Then I continued.
"There's a guy I love. But he told me he only used me for revenge against my brother."
My throat tightened.
"I tried finding out if he ever really loved me despite everything… but he said he didn't. I thought that was the end."
I closed my eyes tightly.
"But then he kept showing me that he still cared. Then he left saying, 'I'm giving you time. Space. Wait for me.'"
A tear rolled down my cheek.
"And I did."
My voice cracked.
"But now I found out he's already moved on from me."
My chest hurt badly.
"I'm trying to move on too… but every time he stands in front of me, every feeling comes back."
Love. Anger. Pain. Everything.
I wiped my tears quickly.
"I'm such a fool, right? I should give up right ?
Silence.
And then—
The call suddenly ended. I stared at the screen in shock while tears continued streaming down my face. Then my eyes slowly moved toward the door.
If he really was GagonBaliw… Then he would come. That's what Keifer would do. So I waited. And waited.
But when the door finally opened—
It wasn't him. It was Kuya Cris carrying a tray of food. The moment he saw my face, his expression softened immediately.
"What happened, Jay?"
I couldn't answer. It felt like something was stuck in my throat. Kuya Cris sighed softly.
"Is it about him?"
I slowly nodded. He sat beside me quietly.
"I won't force you to say anything."
Then he gently placed the tray in front of me.
"But remember that I'm here for you."
He smiled softly.
"Now eat first, then get some rest."
I nodded quietly. I ate the food while secretly staring at the door the entire time. But no one came. Eventually, I gave up. Maybe I was just overthinking.
It was already around 2 AM, so I finally decided to sleep.
"Don't give up… please."
A voice suddenly whispered. It sounded familiar. Like Keifer. But deeper. I was still half asleep—or maybe hallucinating. My body felt too exhausted to even move properly. I couldn't even open my eyes fully.
Then the voice spoke again.
"I can't live without you."
My heart stopped.
"Please… say you'll wait for me."
Then I felt something soft touch my forehead.
Lips.
Maybe.
"I'll come back soon."
Another soft kiss touched my cheek.
"And when I come back… I'll fight for you."
My breathing became uneven.
"Until then…"
Then finally— Soft lips touched mine. The kiss was gentle. Short. Hesitant. But somehow It felt real. Too real.
"Please don't give up on me."
And then the warmth disappeared. Using all my remaining strength, I slowly forced my eyes open. It took several seconds before my vision cleared.
But when I looked around—
No one was there. I slowly touched my forehead. Then my cheek. Still warm. Still wet. My heart started racing. It wasn't a dream. It was real.
That asshole actually came here…
And kissed me.