Jay-Jay's POV
"I mean, you really did, to be honest."
He looked offended, eyebrows furrowed like I just accused him of a crime.
"What do you mean?" he asked, clearly puzzled.
"I mean, they were asking for more money," I said, still glaring at him like a mom catching her kid sneaking snacks before dinner.
"So what?" he said, unfazed.
"Tsk," I clicked my tongue. "It's like they weren't even grateful for what I gave them. And that's not good! What if someday we're in a bad situation and they ask us for money again? I give them, like, maybe 1000, and what if they still ask for more?" I said, almost out of breath from ranting.
He just chuckled softly. "They won't do that."
He said it so confidently that I actually believed him. He wasn't lying — they wouldn't. I was just… overthinking again.
"I'm sorry, I was just overthinking," I admitted quietly.
"It's okay," he said, smiling gently. "You don't need to be sorry."
I nodded. "You hungry?" I asked.
"Yep! You read my mind!" he said, grinning.
I chuckled and peeled an orange for him, handing it over.
"Thanks!" he said, immediately feasting on it like he hadn't eaten in weeks.
I kept peeling more oranges when the door suddenly opened. It was the same doctor from yesterday — the one who kept telling Keifer to rest.
"Mr. Keifer," he began, "you'll be discharged tomorrow."
"B-but he still needs rest, right?" I asked, confused.
The doctor smiled politely. "No, he had no serious injuries. He's doing fine now."
"O-okay…" I muttered as he left.
I crossed my arms, pouting slightly. What do you mean he's fine? He literally got hit by a truck! Ugh, I hate this.
When I looked back, Keifer was already staring at me, his head tilted.
"What?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
He smirked. "A penny for your thoughts?"
I rolled my eyes and looked away, trying not to smile. He always knows when I'm overthinking.
Before I could even say anything, chaos entered the room. Literally.
Section E — the ulupongs — burst in like a stampede.
"KEIFER'S GETTING DISCHARGED TOMORROW?!"
"GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYERS!"
"FINALLY!"
"CONGRATS, BROOO!"
They were so loud the nurse from the next room peeked in for a second. I couldn't even stop myself from laughing.
I smiled as I watched them cheer and tease Keifer. They really never change, huh?
And just like that, I joined in — clapping, laughing, and yelling with them like the chaos was contagious.
Keifer's POV
If I didn't have this stupid IV attached to my arm, I would've joined them in an instant.
Section E was back to being themselves — loud, funny, and chaotic as always. I couldn't help but laugh watching them mess around.
And then there was Jay — standing right in the middle of them, laughing, smiling, her eyes bright again.
For a moment, it reminded me of that Christmas party we had in our old classroom — when everyone was happy, no one was fighting, and everything felt simple.
I leaned back against the pillows, still smiling.
Yeah, I thought. Maybe this is what peace feels like.