Keifer's POV – 10:15 AM
I was already at the café.
Don't judge me. This was a friendly lunch date.
Totally friendly.
I checked my watch for the tenth time.
The meeting was at 11.
I ordered water so the staff wouldn't think I came too early.
10:22 – Checked the door.
10:24 – Checked reflection in phone camera.
10:26 – Adjusted hair.
10:28 – Checked door again.
Jay's POV – 10:45 AM
Traffic.Of course.
Why today?
I kept checking the time.
10:47
10:49
10:52
Oh no. He's going to think I didn't come.
I texted.
Jay: On the way! Don't panic!
Keifer's POV
Phone buzzed.
She's coming.Okay.Relax.Be normal.
Don't look desperate.
I immediately sat straight.
Then realized I had been sitting straight for 20 minutes.
I relaxed.
Then sat straight again.
Door opened.
Not her.
Door opened again.
Not her.
Door opened again.
Still not her.
At this point I was emotionally greeting every stranger.
Relax, Kiefer.
It's just a friendly date.
Then the door opened.
And Jay walked in.
Light blue dress. Hair loose. Simple. Beautiful.
And my brain said—
We are not surviving today.
Jay's POV
I entered the café and immediately saw him.
Light blue shirt.
Matching? Totally coincidence... totally unintentional!!
When he saw me, he stood up so fast his chair made a loud screech.
Half the café looked at us.
Great. Entry level: dramatic.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi," he replied.
Silence.We sat...Silence again.
Wow. Ten years apart and now we forgot how to talk.
Kiefer's POV
Say something.
Anything.
"Umm... you look nice."
Why did that sound like a school viva answer?
She smiled. "You too."
Silence again.
Then suddenly—
She said " you came early... right? "
I shrugged like it was a Total lie...
" No ! I just reached 5 minutes ago!"
Before she could say something a waiter passing by said " Sir has been here for 40 minutes."
She burst out laughing..and I hid my face.... Total EMBARASSMENT!!!!
"Remember when you cut your own hair in Class 4?" she asked....to lighten up the mood..
I choked.
"That was a strategic mistake!"
"You gave yourself a triangle haircut!"
"I said strategic!"
She laughed.
And just like that... everything felt easy again.
Jay's POV
We started talking about childhood.
"How about the time you cried because your ice cream fell?" I teased.
"I was emotionally attached to that ice cream," he defended.
"And you blamed gravity."
"Gravity betrayed me that day."
I laughed so hard...then the waiter came ....the same one who made him embarassed not long ago ...
"Sir, ma'am, what would you like to order?"
We both looked at the menu.
And then at each other.
"Order for me," he said.
"No, you order."
"You know my taste."
"You know mine!"
The waiter didn't move.
He just stood there.
Watching.
Judging.
Finally he said, "Should I come back after you both decide your friendship level?"
We both froze!
Jay : no ...we are ...not in some kind of friendship.. level...
Then the waiter gave us a teasing smile and said ..
"then I can come back after you both finish this couple argument."
"WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!" we said together.
The waiter nodded slowly.
"Understood. I will bring two waters for the not-a-couple."
And left.
I buried my face in my hands.
Kiefer's POV
The waiter returned again to take order...
Waiter: have you decided your order.. Sir?
Kiefer: Umm... what are you having?
Jay: Whatever you're having.
Waiter (writing):Two same orders. Strong emotional synchronization.
Kiefer: "No, wait—"
Waiter: "Don't worry, sir. Happens with couples."
Both: "WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!"
Waiter (calmly crossing it out):
"Two same orders. Denial phase."
I quickly ordered random things to stop both of us from getting unpaid 2nd hand EMBARASSMENT!!!
"Two pastas, garlic bread, and cold coffee."
The waiter wrote it down, then asked,
"One cold coffee with two straws or separate?"
I choked.
"SEPARATE!"
Jay was laughing so hard she couldn't speak.
The waiter smiled knowingly.
"First dates are always like this, sir."
I whispered, "It's not a date."
He whispered back,
"Denial is the first stage."
And walked away.
I wanted to transfer cafe.😭😭
Jay's POV
We started talking about childhood again.
"Remember when you promised to marry me in Class 2?" I teased.
"I was six!"
Suddenly the waiter appeared and said...
Waiter: Very good. Childhood love has high success rate.
Kiefer: WHERE DO YOU KEEP COMING FROM??
The waiter laughed and walked out...I said smiling continuously....
"You said, 'If no one marries you, I will.'"
He went quiet.
Then softly—
"I still can."
I stopped breathing.
He panicked immediately ...
Keifer: I mean... as a friend! Friendly marriage. Friendly support. Friendly everything.
I burst out laughing again... typical keifer....
At that exact moment, the waiter returned.
With a huge tray.
And placed a heart-shaped dessert on the table.
We both stared.
Kiefer: We didn't order this."
The waiter smiled proudly.
"Complimentary for couples."
"WE ARE NOT A COUPLE!" we shouted again.
He leaned slightly closer and whispered,
"Sir, you both have been smiling at each other for thirty minutes. Even the kitchen staff is invested."
I almost fell off my chair laughing.
Kiefer's POV
While eating, our hands accidentally touched.
We both pulled back like we touched electricity.
The waiter passed by and said,
"Don't worry, sir. Physical contact is normal."
I stared at him.
Why is he monitoring us?
Ugh!!!! I hate the cafe...was he also from section E??? Why is he so nosy!!!
Jay's POV
Between childhood memories...
Matching outfits...
Accidental hand touches...
And a waiter who was emotionally more invested than both of us...
This "friendly date" was becoming very dangerous.
Sometimes we just looked at each other.
And in those quiet moments—
It felt like we both knew.
But neither of us was brave enough to say it....once I thought of confessing to him but my mind screamed to wait..because I still wasn't truthful to kiefer... about me ...about Jayden... About my identity!!
Kiefer's POV
When we got up to leave, the waiter stopped us.
"Sir."
I turned....
Keifer: what now buddy? I am already 69.67% embarassed.....
He handed me a small chocolate
"For her."
I froze.
"I didn't buy this."
He winked.
"Consider it motivation."
Jay looked away and I hid my face again....
As we walked out, I heard him tell another waiter—
"Table 6. Future couple. Very high potential.Give them discount next time. Long-term customers."
I am never coming back here again.
***************************************************************************
Hello sweetie's...so how was the chapter ?? Did you laugh a lot ?? Well exam month is going on ...I know how stressful it is ..so I wrote something funny to lighten up you guys ...hope this chapter becomes a mood freshener for you ...
Do vote and comment ❤️ ❤️