The afternoon sun spilled through the curtains like melted gold.Jay's house buzzed with laughter. Section E had taken over the living room again — snacks everywhere, shoes scattered, Cin fighting Percy for the last slice of pizza.
"Don't you dare touch that, Percy!" Cin warned, waving a slipper.Percy grinned. "Sharing is caring, Cinny boy!""Then share your brain first!"
Everyone laughed. Even Keifer — though his eyes were glued to Jay sitting cross-legged near the keyboard.
She had her hair tied up in a messy bun, a small smile tugging her lips. Her fingers brushed the keys softly, almost shyly."C'mon, Jay-jay," Mica said, nudging her. "You promised you'd sing again today!""I didn't promise!" Jay protested, cheeks pink."You blinked. That's a yes," Drew said, smirking.
"Guys, no," she groaned, hiding her face behind her notebook.But Section E was merciless."Sing! Sing! Sing!" they chanted in unison, banging the table like a mini concert crowd.
Keifer leaned close, his voice warm and teasing. "You can't escape this one, Jay. Even I'm on their side."She gave him a mock glare. "Traitor.""Number-one fan," he corrected softly, eyes crinkling.
Finally, Jay sighed. "Fine. But if anyone records, I'll throw your phone in the blender."Cin raised both hands. "No promises."Jay rolled her eyes, took a deep breath — and pressed the first note.
The room fell quiet.
Her voice floated out like sunlight through water — soft, clear, and painfully beautiful.No music track. No effects. Just her and the piano.The chaos melted into silence. Even Percy stopped chewing. Drew blinked slowly, eyes wide.
"Holy…" Denzel whispered. "That's unreal."Freya clutched her chest. "Why does she sound like heartbreak and heaven at the same time?"Cin nodded slowly. "Bro, I'm crying and I don't even know why."
Jay didn't notice any of them. Her eyes were half-closed, lost in the rhythm.The melody rose — a little laugh, a little ache — the sound of something she hadn't let out in years.And for the first time in forever, she wasn't scared of it.
Keifer watched her like she was the only sound that mattered. His smile was proud, but his heart twisted.She looked too perfect, too free.And somewhere inside, he thought — please never stop again.
Behind the door
Angelo stood quietly near the hallway, unseen.He hadn't meant to stop. He'd only gone to call them for snacks. But when he heard her voice, he froze.
For years, silence had been their shield.He'd been the one who ended her singing — who made her promise never to touch the mic again after the accident, after the threats.It had been for her safety. For her life.
But hearing her now — laughing, singing, living — something inside him broke.
Tears filled his eyes, sliding down before he could stop them. He covered his mouth to hide the sob that tried to escape.
And in that same second — Keifer, sitting nearest the hallway, noticed.
Their eyes met for half a second.Angelo quickly wiped his face and smiled faintly.Keifer said nothing, but he understood.Later, when everyone left, Angelo pulled him aside quietly.
"Thank you," he said softly, voice rough. "For bringing her music back."Keifer blinked, confused but touched. "I didn't do anything, Kuya."Angelo smiled a little, the kind of smile that hides a secret. "You did more than you think."Then he walked away before Keifer could ask what that meant.
Back to the chaos
Jay finished the last note and opened her eyes.The room exploded into cheers.
"WOOOOO!" Cin yelled."Encore!" Mica clapped."Girl, I think angels just retired because of you," Freya said dramatically.Rakki sniffled. "That was—sniff—beautiful."
Jay laughed, embarrassed. "You guys are too much!""No, you're too good," Keifer said quietly, giving her that soft smile again — the kind that made her heart skip and her brain forget math formulas.
"Stop staring," she muttered, cheeks red.He leaned closer, whispering, "Can't. You look like my favorite song."
Cin groaned. "OH MY GOD, get a room!"Everyone laughed as Jay threw a cushion at him.
That night
The crowd left late, still laughing down the street.