Chapter: The Walk Back Home
✦ Jay POV
Morning felt heavier than usual.
I woke up in Keifer's room, sunlight slipping through the curtains like nothing had happened… like I didn't run away at 3:47 A.M. like a scared child.
For a few seconds, I forgot.
Then it all came back.
The nightmare.
The suffocating feeling.
The way my feet brought me here without thinking.
Keifer was sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me. Not in a creepy way. Not in a questioning way.
Just… watching to make sure I was breathing.
"You're awake," he said softly.
I nodded.
No teasing.
No jokes.
No sarcasm.
Just silence.
"I should go back," I whispered.
His jaw tightened for a second. "You don't have to."
"I do."
Because if I stay… I'll start depending on you too much.
And what if one day you disappear too?
I stood up, my legs still slightly weak. He walked me downstairs without saying anything. His siblings were still asleep. The house was quiet.
At the door, I hesitated.
"Keifer," I said without looking at him.
"Hmm?"
"I didn't mean to cause trouble."
His expression changed instantly.
"You running here because you couldn't breathe is not trouble."
I swallowed.
He stepped closer and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
"Next time," he said quietly, "you don't run alone. You call me. I'll come."
My chest hurt in a different way now.
The soft kind of pain.
I nodded and left before my eyes could betray me again.
✦ Aries POV
She looked small.
That's the first thing I noticed when Keifer's car stopped outside our gate.
Small.
Not physically.
But like the world had pressed on her too hard.
I rushed to her the second she stepped out.
"Are you okay?" I asked too fast.
She forced a smile. "I'm fine."
Liar.
But I didn't call her out.
Kuya Angelo opened the gate, arms crossed, pretending to be strict.
"Running away at 3 A.M.?" he said.
Jay lowered her head. "Sorry, Kuya."
He sighed.
For a second, I thought he'd scold her.
Instead, he walked forward and pulled her into a hug.
A real one.
"You don't scare us like that again," he muttered.
Her shoulders shook slightly.
"I won't."
From inside, Tita Gemma came rushing.
"Jay!" She cupped her face. "Did you eat? Why are you so pale?"
"I'm okay, Tita."
Tito Rachel followed, adjusting his glasses. "You kids think life is drama series, ah?"
But even he looked relieved.
We all went inside.
For once, no one joked.
No one teased.
It felt like everyone finally realized—
Jay isn't just "strong."
She's tired.
✦ Jay POV
Kuya Angelo made me sit on the sofa.
"Listen," he said, softer than I've ever heard him. "Whatever you're going through… you don't face it alone."
I stared at my hands.
I wanted to tell them everything.
About the dreams.
About the fear.
About the shadows that still follow me.
But the words stayed stuck.
Aries sat beside me and leaned his shoulder against mine.
He didn't talk.
He just stayed.
And somehow, that was louder than any speech.
"I'm sorry," I whispered again.
Tita Gemma shook her head. "Don't apologize for being scared."
That sentence broke something inside me.
Because I've always apologized for it.
Kuya Angelo looked toward the door where Keifer's car had already left.
"He took care of you?" he asked calmly.
I nodded.
Aries noticed.
I saw it in his eyes.
Not jealousy.
Not anger.
Just… understanding.
"She ran to where she felt safe," he said quietly.
And for the first time, no one argued.
That afternoon felt different.
Softer.
Like the house itself was trying to protect me.
But deep inside, I knew—
The nightmares weren't done with me yet.
And sooner or later…
I'll have to tell them everything.