JAY JAY'S POV
The house felt... quiet.
Not empty. Not unfamiliar.
Just quieter than it should've been.
Jay paused at the doorway for a second before stepping in.
"Jay!"
Tita Gemma pulled her into a warm hug before she could even react. 🤍
"Good evening, anak," she said softly. "Go freshen up. Dinner's almost ready."
Jay nodded.
"Yeah... okay, Tita."
She closed the door to her room and leaned against it for a second.
Silence.
Her eyes drifted to the drawer.
She knew what was inside.
Slowly, almost without thinking, she walked over and pulled it open.
The second phone.
Her fingers hovered... then picked it up.
The screen lit up.
No messages.
Her throat tightened.
"They're probably busy... they'll be fine."
She unlocked it.
Opened the group.
The chat sat there—unchanged.
Empty.
Cold.
Her chest felt heavier with every second.
Her fingers moved slightly, almost typing—
Then she froze.
A sharp breath.
"No."
She locked the phone immediately, shoved it back into the drawer, and slammed it shut.
"Not today, Jay. Not today."
She stepped back like it had burned her.
Ran a hand through her hair and turned away quickly—almost escaping.
Dinner was simple. Warm. 🍲
Rice. Adobo. Sinigang.
Tita Gemma talked about little things—random stories, small questions about school.
Jay nodded, replied when needed.
"...and you should talk to him."
Jay blinked. "Huh?"
"Your cousin," Tita said gently. "Convince him to move back. This house feels empty without him."
Jay let out a small, awkward laugh.
"He doesn't really listen to me, Tita."
Not anymore.
"I'll try," she added quickly.
Tita smiled. "That's enough."
Jay looked down at her plate.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For being a burden."
The words came out quietly.
"I know I've caused trouble before... but I'll do better. I won't mess things up again."
Tita's expression softened immediately.
"You are not a burden," she said firmly. "You never were."
Jay didn't reply.
She just nodded.
That night, her room felt colder.
She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
Second day tomorrow.
Great.
She let out a dry breath.
Her eyes flickered toward the drawer again.
Then away.
Pulling the blanket over herself, she turned to her side.
"Just sleep."
A pause.
"...yeah."
And slowly—
Her thoughts faded. 🌙
Meanwhile — Author's Point of View 🍻
"Bro, just admit it—you like her."
"I don't."
"Liar."
Percy leaned forward, grinning. "You were literally staring at Ella."
"I wasn't."
"Oh, sure."
Keifer chuckled under his breath. "This is getting embarrassing."
"Come on, man," Percy added. "At least admit it to us."
"You guys are jobless."
"Better than being in denial."
Aries didn't reply.
For a second, his expression shifted—just slightly.
Then—
"I'll transfer my share," he said suddenly.
Keifer frowned. "What?"
"For staying here."
A pause.
Keifer sat up properly now, tone serious.
"Bro, shut up. You're not a guest here."
Aries looked away.
"You're like my brother," Keifer continued. "Why are you even saying this out of nowhere?"
Percy nodded. "Yeah, what's wrong with you?"
Aries shrugged lightly.
"I just… should contribute."
Keifer shook his head. "You already do."
"Barely," Percy muttered.
That earned him a glare.
Still—
Aries didn't argue.
I shouldn't be here this long.
Percy exchanged a look with Keifer, then smirked.
"By the way…"
Aries's grip tightened slightly.
because he knew where this is going
"Your cousin," Percy said casually. "She didn't seem that bad."
Keifer nodded. "Yeah. Not like how you described her."
A pause.
Then Keifer added, half-teasing,"And she's pretty hot too."
Aries's jaw clenched.
"Don't—"
Ping.
Keifer's phone lit up.
Caller ID: Yuri 📱
Keifer picked it up immediately."Finally."
"wsp guys," Yuri's voice came through.
Percy leaned in instantly."Yuri baby, did you miss my handsome face or not?"
"I did not, Percy," Yuri replied dryly. "And it's not handsome. It's monkey-looking."
Keifer laughed.
"Wow," Percy scoffed. "Jealousy."
"Delusion."
They went back and forth for a second before Keifer cut in,
"Okay, shut up. When are you coming?"
"Soon," Yuri said. "I'll see you."
Before they could ask more—
"Kuya! Onii-san! Ojii-san is calling you!"
Yuri froze. "What—no—he's not—"
"Kuyaaa!" Yumiko's voice got louder as she popped into frame. "He said come now!"
Percy burst out laughing."Bro, your grandfather's calling you like the principal."
Keifer added, smirking,"Go, go. Don't get disowned."
Yuri shot them a look. "Shut up. He's not even—"
"Yeah yeah," Percy cut in. "Go before Ojii-san gets angry."
"Idiot," Yuri muttered.
Yumiko tugged his sleeve again. "Kuya, hurry!"
"Okay, okay," Yuri sighed.
Then to them,"I'll talk later."
"Wait," Percy added quickly, smirking. "We have a surprise for you."
A pause.
Yuri narrowed his eyes slightly."…what did you do?"
"Nothing yet," Keifer said.
"That's worse," Yuri replied.
"I'll be there. Then we'll see."
Call cut.
Silence.
Just for a second.
Ari stood up.
"I'm tired."
Keifer looked at him. "Already?"
No response.
"I'm going to sleep."
And before they could say anything—
He walked off.
Door shut. 🚪
Percy leaned back slowly.
"…he's avoiding it."
Keifer didn't reply.
But the look they exchanged said enough.