Chapter 18
The Night I Went Back
I tried to sleep.
I really did.
Closed my eyes.
Turned to one side.
Then the other.
Nothing worked.
Because my mind…
wasn't quiet.
It kept going back.
To him.
To the terrace.
To that last look.
And something inside me…
just knew.
He was still there.
I don't know how.
But I felt it.
Like a pull.
Like a thread…
still connecting us.
I opened my eyes slowly.
The room was dark.
Silent.
I sat up.
My heart beating softly…
but steadily.
"This is stupid…"
I whispered.
But I still stood up.
Walked towards the door.
Paused.
Then slowly…
opened it.
The house was quiet.
Too quiet.
I walked carefully.
Each step slow.
Careful not to make a sound.
I peeked into the hall.
Papa…
asleep on the couch.
Mama…
in her room.
Everything still.
Safe.
Or maybe…
dangerous in a different way.
I took a deep breath.
And moved towards the stairs.
Up.
Closer.
To him.
My heart started racing again.
"What am I even doing…"
But I didn't stop.
I reached the terrace door.
My hand paused on the handle.
For a second…
I thought of going back.
But then—
I opened it.
Slowly.
Carefully.
And stepped out.
The night air hit my face.
Cool.
Calm.
And there—
He was.
Sitting near the wall.
Back resting against it.
Head slightly tilted.
Eyes closed.
Like he was waiting.
Or maybe…
just staying.
For me.
My heart softened instantly.
"Keifer…"
I whispered.
His eyes opened.
And for a second…
Something changed in them.
Relief.
"You came back."
I walked closer.
"Why are you still here?"
He shrugged slightly.
"Didn't feel like leaving."
I frowned.
"You're impossible."
"Still came."
I sat beside him.
Not too close.
But not far either.
Silence.
The comfortable kind.
The dangerous kind.
"You didn't sleep?" he asked.
"No."
"Why?"
I didn't answer.
Because the answer was obvious.
He didn't ask again.
Because he already knew.
A soft breeze passed.
My hand rested near his.
Not touching.
But close.
Too close.
"Jay…"
"Hmm?"
"You shouldn't have come."
I looked at him.
"You shouldn't have stayed."
A small smile.
"Fair."
Silence again.
But this time…
he moved.
His fingers brushed mine.
Light.
Questioning.
I didn't pull away.
So he held it.
Gently.
Warm.
Familiar.
My heart calmed down instantly.
Like it always did with him.
"This is wrong…"
I whispered again.
"Yeah."
But neither of us let go.
Minutes passed.
Or maybe hours.
I don't know.
Because time felt different with him.
Slower.
Softer.
"Jay…"
"Hmm?"
"If one day…"
He paused.
I looked at him.
"If one day this ends…"
My heart tightened.
"Don't say that."
"Just listen."
I shook my head.
"I don't want to hear it."
Silence.
Then softly…
"Then don't."
He didn't continue.
And I didn't ask.
Because some words…
are better left unsaid.
I leaned slightly against the wall.
Closer to him now.
Not fully.
But enough.
And he didn't move away.
We just stayed there.
Holding hands.
Saying nothing.
Feeling everything.
And in that moment…
It felt like forever.
Like nothing could touch us.
Like nothing could break this.
But deep inside…
Something whispered.
This won't last.
And I ignored it.
Because for that night…
For that moment…
He was mine.
And I was his.
Even if the world didn't know.
Even if the future would take it away.
I closed my eyes slowly.
Still holding his hand.
And for the first time that night…
I felt peace.
Right beside him.
To be continued… 😏💔