Jay POV
I woke up slowly.
For a moment, I forgot everything.
Then my body reminded me.
Not with pain — but with that tired, heavy feeling that comes after a long, difficult day.
The curtains were half open.
Morning light painted the walls gold.
I lay still, listening.
The house was quiet.
No shouting.
No doorbells.
No angry friends.
Just peace.
I moved carefully and sat up.
My stomach felt normal again.
I placed my hand there, almost expecting another cramp.
Nothing.
I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"I'm okay," I whispered.
Last night felt like a dream.
The hospital.
The bright lights.
Keifer holding my hand.
Section E panicking.
So much drama over something my body does every month.
I stood up slowly and walked to the window.
The world looked normal.
Too normal for how scared I had been.
My phone buzzed.
Group chat notifications.
Of course.
I smiled.
I wasn't scared anymore.
I was just tired.
But alive.
Safe.
And ready to face the chaos again.
Afternoon - The unwanted guest committee
I was finally having a peaceful moment.
Wrapped in a blanket.
Scrolling through my phone.
No cramps.
No hospital smells.
Just peace.
Then the doorbell rang.
I stared at the ceiling.
"Why does life hate me?"
Keifer stood up. "I'll check."
I didn't even bother sitting properly.
Big mistake.
The door opened and—
Kuya Angelo walked in first.
Then Aries.
Then Percy.
All three looked way too serious for an afternoon visit.
I sat up immediately. "Why do you all look like my parents?"
Kuya crossed his arms. "Because you don't listen."
"I was sick."
"And dramatic," Aries added.
"I was in pain," I snapped.
Percy waved awkwardly. "Hi, my pretty baby sistah . But not pretty than me , off course. "
I pointed at him. "You're supposed to be on my side."
"I brought chocolates," he said quickly.
My anger paused.
"…What kind?"
"Dark chocolate."
Okay. Maybe I overreacted.
Kuya glared. "Don't distract her."
"I am not distracted," I said, grabbing the chocolate.
Aries sat down. "You scared everyone yesterday."
"I didn't ask you to panic."
"You went to the hospital," Kuya said.
"Against my will."
Percy blinked. "He literally carried you."
I glared at him. "Traitor."
My mood shifted.
Suddenly, I felt tired.
Not angry.
Not dramatic.
Just… done.
"Why are you all here?" I asked quietly.
"To check on you," Percy said.
Kuya sighed. "To make sure you're okay."
Aries nodded. "And to yell a little."
I hugged my blanket.
"That part was unnecessary."
They went quiet.
Kuya cleared his throat. "Are you better now?"
"Yes."
"Really better?"
"Yes."
Aries studied me. "No dizziness?"
"No."
"Pain?"
"No."
Kuya smiled. "Good."
I looked at all three of them.
"You guys are annoying."
Percy smirked. "But you love us."
"…Unfortunately."
I opened the chocolate.
"Sit. You're not leaving until I finish this."
Aries grinned. "Mood swing complete."
Keifer POV
Afternoon - When Angelo lost his patience
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Jay was curled up on the couch with her blanket and chocolate, pretending everything was normal.
Percy was sitting stiffly beside her.
Aries leaned against the wall, watching.
And Angelo?
Angelo stood near the door.
Arms crossed.
Jaw tight.
Eyes sharp.
The kind of look that made people straighten their backs without realizing it.
He finally spoke.
"Jayjay."
Her name sounded like a warning.
She looked up slowly. "What?"
"You think yesterday was a joke?"
Her expression darkened. "No."
"Then stop acting like it was nothing," he said coldly. "You collapsed. You scared everyone. You ended up in a hospital bed and you're sitting here like it was a picnic."
Jay pushed the blanket off her shoulders. "Because I'm fine now."
"That's not the point," Angelo snapped.
The room went tense.
Even Aries shifted.
Angelo stepped closer. "You don't get to decide when something is serious. You ignored your body. You ignored us. And if Keifer hadn't been there—"
Jay stood up.
"Don't finish that sentence."
Angelo didn't back away. "You think I'm being harsh? Good. Because next time, you might not wake up in a hospital. You might not wake up at all."
My heart dropped.
Percy whispered, "Angelo…"
Jay's hands clenched.
Her voice shook — not with fear, but anger.
"Stop talking to me like I'm reckless and stupid."
Angelo's eyes narrowed. "Then stop acting like it."
That was it.
She exploded.
"You don't control me!" she shouted.
"You don't own my body! You don't get to scare me when I'm already scared enough!"
She stepped forward, standing right in front of him.
"I was in pain. I was dizzy. I was exhausted. And I still went to the hospital. I still listened. So stop acting like I'm some careless child!"
The room went dead silent.
Angelo stared at her.
For a long moment, no one breathed.
Then he said quietly, "You think I'm angry because you disobeyed me?"
She didn't answer.
"I'm angry because I almost lost you."
Her face faltered.
But her mood swing kicked in again.
"Then say that," she snapped.
"Don't stand there trying to scare me like a villain in a movie."
Angelo exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair.
"You drive me insane."
Jay crossed her arms. "Join the club."
Percy muttered, "This feels illegal to watch."
I finally stepped in. "Okay. Enough."
Angelo looked away first.
Jay sat back down, grabbed her blanket, and whispered,
"You're still scary."
He replied, "Good."
She rolled her eyes.
"Overdramatic."
But her voice was softer now.
And I knew —
She knew he cared.
Even if he showed it like a storm.
Jay POV
Two Days Later — Back to School
The uniform still felt weird.
Not because I was gone long —
but because everything that happened still felt too fresh.
Two days.
Only two days since the hospital.
Since the drama.
Since everyone panicked like I was dying.
I checked myself in the mirror.
No cramps.
No dizziness.
Just tired… but okay.
"Alright," I whispered. "Back to real life."
Keifer was already waiting outside.
The school gate came into view and my stomach flipped.
Not from pain.
From nerves.
The moment I stepped inside—
"JAYJAY!"
Rakki ran toward me like I'd been missing for years.
"I was gone for TWO DAYS," I said. "Not two decades."
Mica folded his arms. "You look better."
Ella scanned me like a security guard. "Any pain?" ( well yeah , me , Ella and Freya are getting along now )
"No."
"Dizzy?"
"No."
"Lying?"
"…Also no."
Section E gathered around instantly.
Rory grinned. "Hospital celebrity is back."
Felix laughed. "How was your five-star stay?"
"Terrible service," I said. "Too many needles."
The bell rang.
I took a breath.
Then walked into class.
Sat down.
I opened my notebook.
And finally felt normal again.
Two days felt long.
But being back?
Felt right.
Keifer POV
After School — The Quiet Ride Home
Jay sat in the passenger seat, hugging her bag to her chest.
The car smelled like her shampoo and the coffee I forgot to finish.
The road was calm.
Too calm.
"You're staring again," she said.
"I'm driving."
"You're driving and staring."
I sighed. "I'm checking if you're okay."
She leaned her head against the window. "I survived one hospital visit. I can survive one car ride."
"That's not funny."
She glanced at me. "You're still scared, aren't you?"
I didn't answer.
The traffic light turned red.
The silence stretched.
Then she spoke softly. "I'm okay, Keifer. Really."
I nodded. "I know. I just… need to hear it."
She smiled. "I'm okay."
The light turned green.
We drove past the park, the bakery, her favourite ice cream shop.
"Can we stop?" she asked.
"Doctor's orders?"
"No. Human orders."
I pulled over.
She bought a small chocolate cone and handed me one.
"Peace offering," she said.
"For worrying too much?"
"For caring too much."
We reached her street just as the sky turned orange.
I parked in front of her gate.
She didn't move right away.
"Thanks for today," she said.
"For the ride?"
"For staying."
I smiled. "Always."
She opened the door, then paused. "Text me when you get home."
"Deal."
I watched her walk inside.
Only then did I start the car again.
Because some rides aren't about the road.
They're about making sure the person beside you feels safe.
Jay POV
Evening — The Interrogation Room (Also Known as My Living Room)
The moment I opened the door, I knew something was wrong.
Too quiet.
Too neat.
Too… prepared.
I slipped off my shoes slowly.
"Hello?" I called.
Four heads turned toward me at the same time.
My mom.
Tita Gema .
Aries.
And Kuya .
All sitting on the sofa.
All staring.
Like judges.
I froze.
"…Why do you all look like I committed a crime?"
My mom stood up first. "Sit."
I blinked. "That was scary."
Aries patted the empty chair. "Now."
Kuya Angelo crossed his arms. "Don't make this difficult."
Tita Gema sighed. "We're worried about you, Jay."
I slowly sat down. "This feels illegal."
My mom leaned forward. "How was school?"
"Normal."
"Any pain?"
"No."
"Dizziness?"
"No."
"Headache?"
"No."
Aries narrowed his eyes. "Are you lying?"
"Yes— I mean NO."
Kuya pointed at me. "You look tired."
"I went to school after two days of rest. Of course I'm tired."
Tita Gema tilted her head. "Did you eat properly?"
"Yes."
"What did you eat?"
"…Food."
My mom sighed. "Jay."
"Hot dog! Lechon! Sandwich! Apple! I am alive!"
They all stared.
Kuya whispered, "She's defensive."
Aries nodded. "Suspicious."
I groaned. "Why are you interrogating me like I escaped a hospital?"
"Because you scared us," my mom said softly.
That made my chest tighten.
"I didn't mean to," I said quietly.
Tita Gema walked over and hugged me. "We just want you to be healthy."
Kuya looked away. "Next time you feel dizzy, you tell us."
"I will."
Aries added, "Immediately."
"Okay."
My mom pulled me into a hug. "No more hiding pain."
"I promise."
She kissed my forehead. "Go change. Dinner is ready."
I stood up.
Then Kuya said, "And no staying up late."
I groaned. "You're not my dad."
"But I will act like one," he replied.
I rolled my eyes.
But I smiled.
Because being surrounded by people who worry about you…
Is annoying.
And comforting.
At the same time.
Late Night
The house was finally quiet.
Mom was asleep.
Aunt was watching TV in her room.
Aries and Angelo had finally stopped checking my temperature every five minutes.
I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling.
My phone buzzed.
King Of ulupongs ❤️ 🐍 calling…
I smiled and answered.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked.
"No," I said. "Too many people today. My brain is tired."
He chuckled. "You survived school, the ride home, and a full family interrogation."
"I deserve a medal."
"You deserve rest."
I turned onto my side. "Did you reach home?"
"Yeah. I told you I'd text."
"You forgot."
"…Okay, I forgot."
I laughed quietly.
The silence between us was comfortable.
Then he said softly, "You really okay now?"
I closed my eyes.
"Yes. I promise."
He let out a breath. "Good. Because I don't want another hospital run."
"Me neither."
"Scared me."
That made my chest warm.
"I'm sorry," I whispered.
"You don't have to be. Just… take care of yourself."
"I will."
We stayed quiet for a moment.
Then he said, "You did great today."
"For what? Sitting through maths?"
"For being strong."
I smiled into my pillow.
"Goodnight, Keifer."
"Goodnight, Jay."
"Text me when you wake up."
He laughed. "Yes, boss."
Then his voice dropped," I love you Jay until the scientists find the end of the universe ❤️."
I hung up." I love you too Keifer ❤️."
And for the first time since the hospital…
I slept peacefully.
+++++++++++++++++
Spoiler alert : Jay's birthday
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