Jayjay POV
Airports always felt like tiny moving worlds.
People rushing.
Suitcases rolling.
Announcements echoing.
Some hugging like they hadn't seen each other in years… others already arguing before even leaving the terminal.
And there I was, standing beside Keifer, trying not to yawn every five seconds.
"So…" I stretched my arms a little, "how long will it take for your mom's plane to land?"
He checked his phone.
"About ten minutes."
"Okay."
He glanced at me. "Why?"
"I'm going to use the washroom. I'll be back before… ehem… royalty arrives."
He smirked. "Okay."
I walked off, weaving through travelers like a professional escape artist.
After washing my hands, I stared at my reflection.
You were sleeping one hour ago. Look alive.
Satisfied enough, I stepped out and started heading back.
Then suddenly…
BAM.
I collided straight into someone.
Not lightly.
Not gracefully.
Full impact.
"Sorry!" I said quickly, lifting my head.
And then I paused.
The guy staring down at me had the clearest blue eyes I had ever seen. Not the regular kind. The kind that looked like they stored pieces of the sky.
He didn't blink.
Just stared.
For a long moment.
Long enough for me to become very aware that I was now staring too.
One corner of his lips lifted.
"I know I'm handsome," he said calmly, "but please stop staring at me."
My brain tripped over itself.
"I… sorry."
Before I could say anything else…
"Jay! Why are you—who are you talking to?"
Keifer.
I turned immediately.
When I looked back again…
The blue-eyed stranger was gone.
Just gone.
Like someone had erased him from the scene.
I scanned the hallway.
Left.
Right.
Nothing.
Keifer tapped my shoulder. "Who are you looking for? What happened?"
"Oh… it's nothing. I just bumped into someone."
His expression tightened instantly.
"Are you okay? Did you get hurt? Are you injured?"
I snorted. "Oh silly, I said I bumped into someone, not tripped over a mountain."
He relaxed. "Oh… okay."
"So," I asked, "how long before your mom's plane lands?"
He glanced at his phone again.
"Three to five minutes."
Perfect timing.
We walked back to the waiting area and stood near the arrival gate.
That was when I realized something extremely unfortunate.
The airport was freezing.
Not normal cold.
This was the kind of cold that sneaks into your bones and builds a small igloo.
I rubbed my arms.
Why didn't I bring my hoodie…
Without saying a word, Keifer slipped off his jacket and placed it over my shoulders.
Warmth wrapped around me instantly.
I looked at him. "Wouldn't you need it?"
He shrugged lightly. "I'm okay. I'm a man."
I smiled.
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
For a moment, we just stood there watching people spill out from different gates.
Then movement caught Keifer's attention.
He leaned forward slightly, scanning faces.
And suddenly—
A small boy came sprinting toward him.
"KEIFERRRR!"
Keifer barely had time to react before the boy crashed into his arms.
He laughed, lifting him easily. "Hey! Look at you!"
The boy grinned. "New York was AMAZING! There were tall buildings everywhere and lights and—and—and—"
"Okay, okay," Keifer chuckled. "I can see you enjoyed yourself. But where's Mom?"
The boy pointed behind him.
I followed his finger.
And there she was.
Walking toward us with effortless elegance.
Beautiful.
Confident.
Sunglasses resting perfectly on her face.
A soft smile that somehow made the busy airport feel quieter.
Suitcases rolled behind her like obedient guards.
Keifer's voice softened.
"Mom…"
He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug.
She held his face afterward, studying him carefully.
"Wow… you've grown more than the last time I saw you."
He laughed. "Oh really? How grown? How long has it even been?"
Then her eyes shifted to me.
Sharp.
Curious.
Warm.
"Who is she?"
Keifer gestured toward me. "Oh… she's Jayjay. My classmate."
Her brows lifted playfully.
"Oh? My son has a female classmate?"
"Yes…" he said, suddenly sounding less confident.
Then, with zero warning, he added, "She's very annoying. Always stepping on my shoes, teasing me… bugging me."
My mouth fell open.
"Hm. And he's always alive just to bore me in class."
His mom burst into laughter.
"Oh my… you two must have a lot of fun."
Keifer sighed dramatically. "Yeah. A lot. She's super chaotic."
"WOW," I shot back. "Look who's talking."
She laughed again, clearly entertained.
There was something comforting about her laughter… the kind that made you feel welcome without her even trying.
We talked for a while.
About their trip.
About the flight.
About how the little brother apparently tried five different desserts in one day.
Finally, Keifer glanced toward the exit.
"I think we should head home."
His mom nodded. "Yes, let's go."
Keifer grabbed the heavier luggage before anyone could protest.
We started walking toward the parking lot together.
But as we moved…
I couldn't help it.
My eyes drifted back toward the terminal crowd.
Searching.
For a flash of blue.
For a stranger who vanished too quickly.
And for some reason…
A quiet feeling settled in my chest.
Like that bump hadn't been random at all.