Jay‑Jay's POV
After everyone left that night, the house felt softer. The plates were stacked in the sink, the laughter still clinging to the walls, and for once there wasn't a shadow lurking behind every good moment.
Angelo and Aunty Gemma were still talking quietly in the kitchen, their voices a gentle hum. Aries and Percy were arguing over who ate more dessert. Ella had fallen half‑asleep on the couch, clutching a throw pillow like it was a life raft.
And Keifer was beside me, close enough that our shoulders brushed every time one of us moved.
"Thank you for coming," I said, fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth. "I know it's been… a lot."
He huffed a small laugh. "Understatement of the year."
I nudged him with my elbow. "You know what I mean."
He looked at me then, really looked — not the guarded, worried, ready‑to‑fight gaze he'd worn for months, but something softer. Lighter. "I should be the one thanking you," he said quietly. "If you hadn't stood your ground, I don't know where I'd be. Probably still waiting for him to show up at my door."
I thought of Kaizer in handcuffs, of Yuri dropping the phone, of the way everyone had moved as one when danger came. "We did that," I corrected. "All of us. You. Me. Angelo. Section E. Even Yuri, in his messed‑up way."
He made a face at that, but didn't argue.
From the living room, Percy's voice cut through. "Jay! Tell Aries he definitely ate more cake than me!"
"You absolutely did," I called back without turning around.
"Traitor!" Percy shouted.
Keifer snorted. "Your family is loud."
"They're mine," I said, a little proudly. "Noisy, annoying, dramatic… and mine."
He went quiet for a second. Then, in a softer voice, he said, "I'm glad they're safe."
"So am I."
We sat there in comfortable silence for a moment, the kind where nothing needed fixing or hiding. It felt strange. Good.
"Hey, ulupong," I said suddenly.
He sighed. "What now?"
"Tomorrow," I said, turning to face him fully, "no gangs, no lists, no secret meetings. Just… normal. School. Section E. Maybe Eman's after class. Can we do that?"
He smiled — a real one this time, not the tired, forced kind. "You asking me out, Jay Jay?"
I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed. "I'm asking if my boyfriend wants to walk me to school like a decent human being."
He leaned in, resting his forehead lightly against mine. "I'll do you one better," he murmured. "I'll bring breakfast."
My eyes lit up. "Deal."
"Of course that's what convinces you," he said, laughing under his breath.
Angelo peeked in from the kitchen, eyebrows raised. "Everything okay in here?"
"We're fine," I answered, shooting him a small smile. "Just… planning tomorrow."
He studied us for a second, then nodded, satisfied. "Good. You both deserve a boring day for once."
"Boring sounds perfect," I said.
Keifer squeezed my hand under the table, fingers warm and sure.
For the first time in a long time, tomorrow didn't feel like a threat. It felt like a promise — of school gossip, bad math jokes, C‑in's chaos, Percy's shouting, Aries' lectures, Keifer's terrible flirting, and a life that was finally ours again.
And if danger ever came back, I knew one thing for sure.
We wouldn't face it alone.