Chapter 21
The Call That Changed Everything
I didn't expect it.
Not at all.
"Call him."
I blinked.
"What?"
Mama looked at me.
"Call Keifer."
My heart skipped.
"Now?"
"Yes."
Panic.
"What will you say?"
"I'll talk."
"Mama—"
"Jay."
Her tone was calm.
But firm.
"Call him."
My hands felt cold.
This was it.
No hiding.
No pretending.
Everything… was real now.
I picked up my phone slowly.
My fingers hesitated over his name.
What if he says something wrong?
What if this goes bad?
What if—
"Jay."
I nodded quickly.
And pressed call.
It rang.
Once.
Twice.
Then—
"…hello?"
His voice.
Familiar.
Calm.
"Keifer…"
"Yeah?"
"My mom wants to talk to you."
Silence.
A pause.
Then—
"Give her."
No hesitation.
That surprised me.
I handed the phone to Mama.
My heart racing.
She took it.
"Hello."
Her voice was different.
Not angry.
Not soft.
Just… neutral.
I couldn't hear his words.
Only her side.
And every second…
felt like a test.
"Hmm."
A pause.
"I see."
Another pause.
"Since when?"
My breath caught.
Silence again.
Then—
"And what are your intentions?"
My heart stopped.
This was serious.
Very serious.
Minutes passed.
Then more.
I sat there.
Restless.
Anxious.
Thinking of every possible outcome.
What if she says no?
What if she tells him to stay away?
What if—
She walked away.
Into the other room.
Closing the door behind her.
And I was left alone.
With my thoughts.
With my fear.
With him…
on the other side of that call.
Time moved slowly.
Too slowly.
I kept staring at the door.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Praying.
More than an hour passed.
And finally—
The door opened.
I stood up instantly.
"Mama—"
I stopped.
Because…
she was smiling.
Not a small one.
Not forced.
A real smile.
Soft.
Satisfied.
My heart skipped.
"What… happened?"
She walked towards me calmly.
Handed me the phone.
The call had ended.
I looked at her.
Confused.
Nervous.
"What did he say?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Just looked at me.
Long.
Then—
"He speaks well."
I blinked.
"What?"
"He's respectful."
My heart started beating faster.
"He didn't try to argue."
I swallowed.
"He didn't try to hide."
My eyes widened slightly.
"He answered everything."
Silence.
"And most importantly…"
She paused.
"He didn't once disrespect you."
My chest felt warm.
Relief.
"So…"
My voice was soft.
"So?"
She smiled slightly again.
"I understand why you like him."
That was it.
That one line…
And something inside me…
finally relaxed.
"He's not perfect," she added.
"I know."
"But he's not wrong either."
Tears filled my eyes.
"Mama…"
She sighed softly.
"I'm not saying yes to everything."
"I know."
"But I'm not saying no either."
That was enough.
More than enough.
Because this…
Was acceptance.
Not loud.
Not official.
But real.
She placed her hand on my cheek.
"Be careful."
"I will."
"And don't make me regret trusting you."
"I won't."
She nodded.
Then turned to leave.
But stopped.
And said one last thing.
"He cares about you."
My heart smiled.
"He really does."
And for the first time…
I didn't feel alone in this.
Because someone else saw him too.
And didn't push him away.
But deep inside…
I knew.
This wasn't over.
Because the one person who hadn't seen him yet…
Was the one who mattered the most.
And when he does…
Things won't stay this calm.
Not at all.
To be continued… 😏💔