Chapter: Silent Walls – Extended Keifer POV
I parked outside Kuya Angelo's house, the morning sun spilling weak light across the quiet street.
My heart was racing.
Not because of the cold air, not because of traffic, but because of her.
Jay.
Her name alone sent a storm through me. I gripped the steering wheel like I could anchor myself, like I could keep myself from exploding if I didn't see her.
Yesterday's memory was still sharp in my mind—her running, crying, the taxi, the locked door. Every detail haunted me.
I stepped out of the car. The cold air stung my lungs, but I didn't care. I needed her.
I needed to know she was okay.
Aries was leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, eyebrows slightly raised. "Don't mess this up," he muttered quietly.
I exhaled. "I won't. I just… I can't lose her again."
The door loomed in front of me.
I knocked firmly. My knuckles rapped against the wood, echoing in the quiet morning.
"Jay… it's me. Please… open the door."
Nothing.
I waited, listening. Could she be asleep? No… her breathing was uneven, anxious. She was awake.
I knocked again, softer this time. My voice trembled slightly.
"Jay… I know you're in there. Please… let me in. I'm not going anywhere."
Still nothing.
I tried the handle. Locked.
Frustration, fear, and guilt twisted in my chest. My hands shook slightly.
"Aries… she's ignoring me," I muttered, my voice tight.
He shrugged. "She's processing. Let her. Don't push too hard. She needs space."
I shook my head, stepping back a fraction. "Space? I can't just wait while she suffers inside. She thinks I'll leave if she shuts me out. She's wrong."
I knocked again, harder. My voice rose. "Jay! Please! I'm not going anywhere. I'm not leaving you alone. You hear me? Please… don't push me away!"
Silence.
Her breathing was quiet, almost deliberate. She was avoiding me. She wanted me to feel the panic, the helplessness, the ache in my chest.
I clenched my fists, pressing them against the door. "Jay… please. You don't have to go through this alone. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere. I swear to you… I'm not leaving. Not now. Not ever."
Nothing.
The silence inside the house was suffocating. Every second stretched like hours.
I pressed my forehead against the door, closed my eyes, and whispered, "Jay… please… let me in. Talk to me. I can't help you if you don't let me. Please."
I could hear soft shuffling inside. Her footfalls. The creak of the floor. Then stillness.
I waited, holding my breath, willing her to open the door, willing her to realize that I wasn't a threat. That I wasn't going to abandon her.
"Keif… maybe step back," Aries said softly, though I barely heard him. "Let her breathe. Give her space."
Space. I needed to respect it. But every second I took a step back, my heart clenched.
I could imagine her inside her room, curled up on the floor, tears streaming silently. She was fragile. She was scared. And she didn't trust anyone—not after yesterday.
Not even me.
I leaned against the wall beside the door, my hand still on the knob. "Jay… please. I know you're scared. I know you think you have to face this alone. But you don't. Not ever. You're not alone. Not while I'm here. I swear to you…"
Her soft, trembling voice came through, muffled but distinct. "Leave me alone…"
My chest tightened. My heart felt like it had been ripped from me.
"I can't do that," I said quietly. "I can't. Not when you're hurting. Not when I could help you. I won't let you hurt alone."
She sniffled. I could hear it. I could hear the faint sobs. My chest ached.
"Keif… go away…"
"I can't," I whispered. "I won't. I'm not leaving. Not now, not ever."
I pressed my forehead gently against the door again, closing my eyes. I could feel her presence inside, her fear, her guilt, her shame.
And I hated it.
I hated that she thought she had to face it alone.
I hated that I couldn't reach her.
I hated that I had to stand here and wait while she suffered.
Minutes passed like years.
Finally, I whispered her name softly, almost a prayer.
"Jay… I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Not ever. You don't have to face this alone. You hear me?"
The softest whimper came from inside. My heart jumped.
"Keif… I…"
The voice broke off.
Tears stung my eyes, but I swallowed them. I had to be strong. For her.
"I know, Jay," I said softly. "I know. I'm here. I'll stay as long as it takes. I promise."
Her breathing shifted. She shifted inside her room. I could feel her presence moving closer to the door.
But she didn't open it.
Not yet.
I stayed, hands on the door, forehead resting lightly against it. My heart ached. My chest burned.
And I whispered again, a mantra, a vow, a desperate plea all at once.
"I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not ever. You hear me, Jay? You're not alone. Not while I'm here. I swear it."
Her muffled sobs continued, slow and broken, and I stayed.
Hours could pass. Days could pass. I didn't care.
Because she was worth it.
Because losing her once had already taught me how unbearable life could be.
And I refused to lose her again.
I was going to wait. I was going to stay.
No matter what.
No matter how long.
No matter how much she tried to push me away.
I was not leaving.
Not her.
Not ever.