Chapter 23
The Night He Bled for Me
Papa left early.
Business trip.
Three days.
The house felt quieter.
Lighter.
Too quiet.
I didn't think much of it.
Until—
"Jay."
Mama's voice.
"Hmm?"
"Get ready."
I frowned.
"For what?"
"We have a guest."
"Who?"
She looked at me.
And smiled.
A knowing smile.
My heart skipped.
"Mama…"
"Don't act."
"You didn't—"
"I did."
"What?!"
"I invited him."
"YOU WHAT?!"
I panicked instantly.
"Mama, what if someone sees—"
"No one will."
"What if—"
"Relax."
"I am NOT relaxed!"
She laughed softly.
"Good."
"Mama!"
"Go get ready."
I stood there.
Frozen.
This was different.
This wasn't outside.
This wasn't hidden corners.
This was…
home.
My home.
And he was coming here.
For dinner.
With my mother.
"This is insane…"
I whispered.
But still…
I got ready.
The doorbell rang.
My heart stopped.
I looked at Mama.
She nodded.
"Open it."
"YOU open it!"
"Jay."
I took a deep breath.
Walked to the door.
Opened it slowly.
And there he was.
Standing there.
Calm.
Like always.
But when he saw me…
A small smile.
"You look scared."
"I am!"
"Relax."
"You relax!"
He stepped inside.
Like it was normal.
Like this wasn't dangerous at all.
"Mama—"
"Come in, Keifer."
He nodded respectfully.
"Good evening, aunty."
Her smile widened.
"Good evening."
I stood there.
Still processing.
Still panicking.
But somehow…
Everything felt okay.
Because Mama was there.
Because he was there.
And for a moment…
It felt like something real.
Something normal.
Dinner was… peaceful.
Surprisingly.
No tension.
No awkwardness.
Just…
conversation.
"What do you study?"
Mama asked.
He answered calmly.
"What are your plans?"
He answered clearly.
No hesitation.
No fear.
And I just…
watched.
Because this side of him…
Was different.
Responsible.
Mature.
Real.
And Mama noticed it too.
Of course she did.
"Eat properly," she said.
"I am."
"Not like that."
He smiled slightly.
"Yes, aunty."
I couldn't stop smiling.
Because this…
This felt like something I never thought I would have.
After dinner—
We were in the hall.
Talking casually.
Laughing softly.
And for the first time…
I forgot to be scared.
Until—
A sound.
A sharp creak.
I looked up.
The fan.
It shook slightly.
Then—
Everything happened too fast.
"Jay!"
His voice.
Loud.
Before I could react—
He pulled me.
Hard.
Out of the way.
And the fan—
CRASH.
It fell.
Right where I was standing.
My heart stopped.
My breath caught.
Everything went silent.
For a second.
Then—
"Keifer—"
I looked at him.
And froze.
Blood.
His arm.
A deep cut.
"OH MY GOD—"
I rushed to him.
"What did you do?!"
"It's nothing."
"IT'S NOT NOTHING!"
Blood was dripping.
Fast.
Too fast.
Mama rushed in.
"Keifer!"
"I'm fine—"
"You're not fine!"
My hands were shaking.
I didn't think.
I didn't wait.
I just—
Tore a piece of my dress.
Wrapped it around his arm.
Tightly.
"Hold it," I said.
He looked at me.
Silent.
Watching.
Like he forgot the pain.
"Press it!"
He obeyed.
Still looking at me.
My hands were trembling.
My eyes filled with tears.
"Why would you do that?!"
He smiled slightly.
"You were under it."
My heart broke.
"That doesn't mean you—"
"It does."
Silence.
I looked at him.
Really looked.
And in that moment…
Everything became clear.
This wasn't just love.
This wasn't just habit.
This wasn't just comfort.
This was…
real.
Because he didn't think.
He didn't hesitate.
He just…
protected me.
Even if it meant getting hurt.
Even if it meant bleeding.
"Idiot…"
I whispered.
But my voice broke.
He smiled again.
"Say thank you."
I hit his shoulder lightly.
Tears falling.
"I hate you…"
"No you don't."
"…I don't."
Mama watched everything.
Silent.
Understanding.
And maybe…
That night…
She didn't just see a boy.
She saw someone…
Who would stand in front of danger for her daughter.
Without thinking twice.
And that changes everything.
Because love…
isn't proved in words.
It's proved in moments like this.
Moments that hurt.
Moments that stay.
Moments that…
you never forget.
And I knew…
This night…
Would stay with me forever.
To be continued… 😏💔