Living Room Scene — Third Person POV
The living room was filled with laughter.
A loud comedy movie played on the television while the five of them sprawled comfortably across the couches and floor. Keiren was laughing the loudest, nearly falling off the armrest as he pointed at the screen. Keigan sat beside him, trying to act unbothered but failing every time Keiren burst into another fit of laughter.
Jay was curled comfortably against Keifer's side, her head resting lightly on his shoulder. Keifer's arm lay casually around her, his fingers absentmindedly tracing small circles on her arm as he watched the movie.
Eces sat on the single couch opposite them, quieter than usual, though a faint smile still played on her lips.
After a few moments, she muted the television.
The sudden silence made everyone turn toward her.
Keiren blinked. "Why'd you stop it? That was the funniest part."
Eces hesitated slightly before speaking. "I… want to say something."
Her tone made the room instantly serious.
Jay straightened a little. Keifer's hand stilled against her arm. Keigan leaned forward, sensing something important.
Eces took a small breath.
"I have to go back to India… once. After Kuya Angelo's engagement."
The words landed softly, but they carried weight.
Jay frowned slightly. "Go back? Why?"
Eces looked down at her hands. "There's something important I need to take care of there."
She didn't elaborate.
The room fell quiet again, a heavy kind of quiet this time.
Keiren's excitement from earlier faded immediately. Keigan's expression tightened slightly, though he said nothing. Jay looked visibly disappointed, while Keifer studied Eces carefully.
After a few seconds, Keifer spoke.
"Then we'll come with you."
Eces looked up, surprised. "What?"
Keifer leaned back against the couch, calm as ever. "By that time, we'll all be free anyway."
He glanced around at the others.
"Section E was already planning a vacation."
Keigan nodded slowly. "That's true."
Keifer continued, "And if we're going somewhere, might as well make it meaningful. We can go to India together. You know the place better than any of us. You can help us."
Jay's face immediately brightened.
"I love that idea," she said warmly. "It'll be fun… and we'll be with you."
Eces blinked, clearly not expecting that response.
"You all really want to come?" she asked softly.
"Obviously," Keigan replied casually, though his voice held certainty.
Keifer gave her a small nod. "Family doesn't let someone go alone."
Something flickered in Eces's eyes again — that same fragile softness from breakfast.
"…Okay," she said finally.
Keiren suddenly jumped up from his seat.
"We're going to India?!" he shouted, eyes shining with excitement. "I've always wanted to go! I've seen videos — the food, the festivals, everything!"
Jay laughed at his reaction.
"Well then," she said, clapping her hands lightly, "it's settled."
She looked around the room, smiling.
"All of Section E is coming. Aries, Percy, Honey, Grace, Rakki, Mica, Ella, Freya… everyone."
Keigan groaned playfully. "That sounds less like a vacation and more like chaos."
Keiren grinned. "Best kind of vacation."
Keifer chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Eces leaned back against the couch, watching them argue and laugh again as they began discussing plans that didn't even exist yet.
For the first time since she mentioned India, she didn't feel anxious about going back.
Because she wouldn't be returning alone.
And somehow… that made all the difference.
Jay's POV
The house was still buzzing with excitement even an hour later.
Keiren was already googling "Best Indian street food" on the TV. Keigan was pretending not to care but was secretly listening to everything. Eces had disappeared into the kitchen with a soft smile that she was trying to hide.
And me?
I was sitting cross-legged on the couch with Keifer beside me, my phone in my hand.
I opened Section E's group chat.
Group Name: Jay's Warriors 💥
(They had named it that as a joke once. It somehow stuck.)
I glanced at Keifer.
"Should I tell them?" I asked.
He smirked. "Go ahead, Mrs. Watson."
I elbowed him lightly before typing.
I typed.
Jay: Warriors. Attention.
Blaster: Why does that sound like a war announcement?
Drew: Who are we fighting.
Ci-n: If this is about exams, I'm leaving.
Josh: Say fast, I'm gaming.
Yuri: Is someone pregnant.
Me: ????
Keifer: Yuri, log out.
Yuri: Worth asking.
I rolled my eyes, smiling already.
Jay: We're planning a trip.
David: Local or international?
Keifer leaned over and typed before I could answer.
Keifer: International.
The chat paused for three whole seconds.
Then—
Calix: WHERE.
Rory: If it's just another beach trip I'm not excited.
Eren: Budget first. I need details.
Kit: Bro just say it.
I typed.
Jay: INDIA .
Absolute chaos.
Blaster: TAJ MAHAL???
Denzel: Bollywood arc unlocked.
Edrix: I'm learning dance steps right now.
Mayo: Wait what why India??
Eman: Spicy food challenge. I'm in.
Ci-n: Who's planning this.
Josh: Are we serious serious?
I softened a little and typed again.
Jay: Eces needs to go for something important after Kuya's engagement. So we thought… why not make it a Section E vacation too?
There was a different kind of silence this time.
Then:
David: That's actually a good idea.
Rory: We all go together.
Calix: Full squad international trip hits different.
Blaster: Jay's Warriors global domination.
Denzel: Keifer sponsoring?
Keifer: Keep dreaming.
Yuri: Matching airport outfits or I'm not coming.
Edrix: Group reel at Taj Mahal.
Eren: Who's sitting with who on the plane?
And there it was.
The argument started instantly.
Ci-n: I'm not sitting near Blaster.
Blaster: You cried on the last trip .
Ci-n: Turbulence is dramatic.
Josh: Shotgun window seat.
Mayo: That's not how planes work.
I laughed so hard I leaned against Keifer's chest.
He wrapped an arm around my waist and murmured near my ear,
"You see? This is why we can't take them anywhere."
But there was warmth in his voice.
I typed one final message.
Jay:
It's settled.
After Angelo's engagement, Jay's Warriors are going to India. 🇮🇳✨
No backing out.
Immediately:
Blaster: LET'S GOOOO.
Denzel: International era.
Calix: This is going to be legendary.
Yuri: Someone tell me what to pack.
I locked my phone and looked at Keifer.
"They're really coming," I said softly.
He kissed my forehead.
"With us? Always."
And somehow… the idea of all of us in a different country, together, laughing the same way we always do—
It didn't feel chaotic.
It felt right.
The group chat was still exploding when I slid off the couch.
"One more victim to inform," I muttered.
Keifer raised a brow. "Aries?"
I grinned. "Aries."
I walked toward the balcony for better signal and tapped his name.
HOROSCOPE ♈
He picked up on the third ring.
"Why are you calling like this?" he said immediately. "What did you do?"
"Why do you assume I did something?"
"Because you only call me sweetly when you've already made a decision."
Rude. Accurate. But rude.
"Kuya," I started dramatically, "pack your bags."
Silence.
"…For what?"
"We're going to India."
Another pause. Longer this time.
"Who's we?"
"Me. Keifer. Eces. Keigan. Keiren. Section E. After Kuya's engagement."
He let out a slow breath. "You already planned this, didn't you?"
"Maybe."
"Jay."
"It's important," I softened. "Eces has to go for something personal. So we thought we'd all go. Together."
That changed his tone.
"Oh."
I heard the shift in him — protective big brother mode activated.
"When?"
I gave him the tentative timeline. He didn't hesitate long.
"I'm coming."
A smile stretched across my face. "And?"
"And what?"
"Bring Ella."
There was a small chuckle. "She's sitting right here. You tell her."
I heard rustling, then Ella's voice floated in.
"Jayyyy."
"India," I said immediately.
"What?"
"Trip. After Kuya's engagement. You and Aries are coming."
There was a sharp intake of breath. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?"
"Yes. And you are officially in charge of calling Grace, Rakki, Mica and Freya."
A beat.
Then—
"Oh my God."
I could practically hear her bouncing.
"I'm calling them right now. Grace is going to scream. Rakki will start planning outfits. Mica will ask about aesthetics. Freya will pretend she's calm but she'll overpack."
I laughed. "Exactly."
Aries' voice came back in the background, "Tell them no drama."
Ella snorted. "You're asking the wrong group."
"Aries," I said sweetly.
"Yes?"
"If you back out, I'm telling everyone about that one time—"
"I'm coming," he cut in immediately.
Smart man.
"Good," I smiled. "Full squad. No excuses."
Ella was already halfway distracted. "I'm hanging up. I have calls to make. THIS IS BIG."
The line went chaotic with overlapping voices before it disconnected.
I stared at my phone for a second, heart warm.
When I walked back inside, Keifer looked up.
"Aries?"
"Coming. With Ella."
"And the others?"
"Ella's handling it."
He gave a knowing nod. "So that means…"
"Grace. Rakki. Mica. Freya."
He exhaled slowly. "We are never going to have peace."
I leaned against him, slipping my arms around his waist.
"Peace is boring."
He tilted my chin up and smiled down at me.
"India with this many people?" he said softly.
I grinned.
"Legendary."
One name left.
I looked at Keifer.
He already knew.
"Percy?" he sighed.
"Yes."
He leaned back like he was mentally preparing for war. "Put it on speaker. I need entertainment."
I rolled my eyes and tapped Percy's name.
He answered instantly.
"Jay. Quick question. Be honest. In the photo I posted ten minutes ago, do I look better in natural light or studio light?"
I blinked.
"…Hello to you too?"
"Answer first."
Keifer covered his mouth to stop laughing.
"Percy," I said patiently, "you look the same."
"Impossible. Lighting changes bone structure perception."
"You're not a Greek statue."
"Debatable."
Keifer lost it.
"Why is he laughing?" Percy demanded.
"You're on speaker," I informed him.
"Oh. Good. Keifer, tell her my jawline looks sharper in the second slide."
"It doesn't," Keifer replied calmly. "It looks like you tilted your chin."
"That's technique."
"Percy."
"Yes, queen?"
"We're going to India."
Silence.
"…For what? A photoshoot?"
"For a trip. After Kuya's engagement. Full group."
Another pause.
"India has good lighting," he said thoughtfully. "And historic backdrops."
Keifer muttered, "He's thinking about content."
"I heard that."
I ignored them. "You're coming."
"I wasn't invited yet."
"You are now."
He hummed dramatically. "Will there be aesthetic cafes?"
"Yes."
"Cultural architecture?"
"Yes."
"Spicy food?"
"Very."
"Okay I'm in."
I smirked. "Bring Honey."
Immediate shift in tone.
"Oh."
"Don't 'oh' me."
"I wasn't not going to bring her."
"Percy."
He cleared his throat. "Obviously Honey is coming. Why would I go without her? That's emotionally irresponsible."
Keifer snorted.
Percy continued, "Also she'll stop me from overpacking."
"You overpack?"
"I don't overpack. I prepare."
"You bring skincare for three climates."
"And?"
I shook my head, smiling. "Tell Honey. And don't make this about your face the whole trip."
"No promises."
"Percy."
"Fine. I'll limit myself to three mirror checks per hour."
Keifer coughed. "Impossible."
"Excuse me? My face is a public service."
"Goodbye, Percy," I cut in before this spiraled further.
"Wait wait. One more thing."
"What?"
"Do you think India humidity will enhance my curls or ruin them?"
I hung up.
Keifer burst out laughing.
"Is he actually like this all the time?"
"Yes," I said calmly. "And we love him."
My phone buzzed seconds later.
Percy:
Honey said yes. Also she says I am not allowed to pack 11 outfits for a 5-day trip.
Percy:
This is oppression.
I showed Keifer the screen.
He shook his head. "This trip is going to be chaos."
I leaned into him again, already imagining it.
India.
All of them.
Loud. Dramatic. Emotional. Beautiful.
And somehow… perfect.
++++++++++++++++++
Ready for the trip to India !!!
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