Afternoon.
Jay walked in.
Humming.
Happy.
Jeena and Jasfer sat waiting.
Too quietly.
Jay stopped.
Eyes narrowed.
"Why are you both sitting like principals?"
Jasfer coughed.
"Come sit."
Jay stepped back.
"No."
Jeena sighed.
"Jay…"
Jay pointed at them.
"First tell me."
"Did I do something?"
Jasfer shook his head.
"No."
"Then I'm not sitting."
Jeena tried not to smile.
"This girl…"
Jasfer whispered.
"Handle her."
Jeena stood up.
Walked to Jay.
Held her hand.
"Sit, mama."
Jay pouted.
"Something is wrong."
Jeena gently pulled her down.
"Nothing is wrong."
Jay sat…
But suspicious.
Very suspicious.
Jasfer cleared his throat.
"We need to talk."
Jay gasped dramatically.
"I knew it."
"I'm adopted."
Jeena hit her lightly.
"Shut up."
Jay laughed.
"Then what?"
Jasfer tried to stay serious.
"We fixed your marriage."
Silence.
One second.
Two seconds.
Jay blinked.
Then…
She burst out laughing.
Loudly.
Uncontrollably.
Jeena looked at Jasfer.
"Told you."
Jay held her stomach.
"Good one, papa!"
"No seriously…"
"Who is the poor guy?"
Jasfer didn't smile.
Jay's laughter slowly stopped.
"…you're serious?"
Jeena nodded softly.
"Yes."
Jay stood up instantly.
"No."
Jasfer spoke calmly.
"Sit down."
Jay shook her head.
"No no no."
"This is not happening."
Jeena held her arm.
"Listen first."
Jay pulled back.
"I don't want to!"
Jasfer sighed.
"At least hear the name."
Jay crossed her arms.
"Fine."
"Say."
Jasfer looked at her.
"Keifer."
Jay froze.
"…Keifer?"
Jeena nodded.
"You know him."
Jay blinked rapidly.
"That crazy guy?"
Jasfer frowned.
"He's not crazy."
Jay started pacing.
"He's loud."
"He's annoying."
"He's—"
Jeena interrupted.
"He's good."
Jay stopped.
Looked at her.
"You like him?"
Jeena smiled softly.
"I do."
Jay looked at Jasfer.
"You too?"
Jasfer nodded.
"I trust him."
Jay sighed dramatically.
"Of course you do."
She walked in circles.
Hands on her head.
"This is insane."
Jeena tried to hold her laugh.
"Why are you reacting like this?"
Jay turned.
"Because it's my life?!"
Jasfer leaned back.
"Overreaction."
Jay pointed at him.
"Underreaction."
Jeena laughed softly.
"Just meet him once."
Jay stared at her.
"You both planned this?"
Jasfer replied casually.
"Yes."
Jay gasped.
"Betrayal."
Jeena rolled her eyes.
"Drama queen."
Jay dropped on the sofa.
"This is my villain origin story."
Jasfer smiled faintly.
"Very funny."
Jay looked at them again.
"You're not changing your mind, right?"
Jeena shook her head.
"No."
Jay sighed deeply.
Long.
Loud.
Annoyed.
"This is blackmail."
Jasfer raised a brow.
"How?"
Jay pointed at her heart.
"Emotional damage."
Jeena couldn't stop laughing now.
"This girl…"
Jay looked away.
Muttering.
"I can't believe this."
A pause.
Then slowly…
"Fine."
Both parents looked up.
"Really?"
Jay raised a finger.
"Just one meeting."
"No promises."
Jasfer smiled.
"Same as him."
Jay frowned.
"He also said that?"
Jeena nodded.
Jay sighed again.
"This is already a disaster."
She stood up.
"I'm going to my room."
Jeena called out.
"Don't overthink."
Jay walked away.
"Too late."
Her steps slow now.
Her smile… gone.
Her carefree world…
Just got interrupted.