Chapter: "Too Much Talking"
The bus was already chaotic.
Music blasting.
Blaster screaming for no reason.
Rory and Mayo fighting over chips.
Ci N narrating everyone's life like a commentator.
And me?
I stood up on the seat like a leader ready for war.
"FIRST OF ALL—" I pointed at Josh. "If you laugh one more time when I speak—"
"Jay, sit down," Drew said.
"NO. Today I will expose every single one of you."
"Here we go," Kit sighed.
Keifer was sitting behind me, way too calm.
"Jay…" he warned softly.
I ignored him.
"And YOU, Mayo, stop acting innocent. I saw you—"
Suddenly—
A hand wrapped around my waist.
I froze.
The bus froze.
Slowly… I looked down.
Keifer.
Before I could react—
He pulled me back.
And in one smooth move—
I landed on his lap.
The entire Section E exploded.
"OOOOOOOOOO!"
"DRIVER UNCLE STOP THE BUS!"
"LIVE ROMANCE SHOW!"
"SHUT UP!" I yelled, trying to get up.
But Keifer's arm stayed around my waist.
Not forceful.
Just firm enough to keep me there.
"You're talking too much," he murmured near my ear.
"I am NOT!"
"You are."
"I have rights!"
"You lost them five minutes ago."
Everyone was screaming and laughing.
I turned around to glare at him—
Big mistake.
Because he was already looking at me.
Calm.
Smirking.
And before I could start Round Two—
He tilted my chin slightly.
"Keifer— don't you dare—"
Too late.
He leaned forward and kissed me on my lips.
Not long.
Not dramatic.
But long enough for the bus to go completely silent for two seconds.
My brain stopped working.
Section E?
They went feral.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"BROOOO!"
"CONFIRMED!"
"WIFEY!"
Josh almost fell off the seat.
Ci N stood up. "Ladies and gentlemen, we have witnessed history."
I pushed Keifer's shoulder lightly, face burning.
"ARE YOU MAD?!"
"You weren't stopping," he said calmly.
"So you KISS me in front of everyone?!"
"Yes."
The audacity.
Blaster wiped fake tears. "True love exists."
Mayo held his heart. "I'm single in this economy."
I tried standing again.
Keifer pulled me back gently.
"Sit," he said.
"I am not a dog!"
"I know."
"Then don't command me!"
"You were about to start a revolution."
"They deserved it!"
He looked down at me, eyes soft but amused.
"Relax," he said quietly.
My heart betrayed me by beating faster.
"I hate you," I muttered.
"No, you don't."
"Shut up."
Section E started chanting again.
"JAY BHABHI!"
"KEIFER JIJU!"
I stood up slightly to shout at them—
Wrong move.
He pulled me closer again and whispered,
"If you stand one more time, I'll do it again."
My eyes widened.
"You wouldn't."
He raised an eyebrow.
I immediately sat down properly.
The bus howled with laughter.
Rory shouted, "So this is how we control Jay!"
Ci N nodded seriously. "New discovery unlocked."
I crossed my arms dramatically.
"I will roast all of you later."
"From his lap?" Mayo asked.
The teasing doubled.
Keifer just rested his chin lightly on my shoulder like everything was normal.
And for the first time in five minutes—
I stopped arguing.
Not because I lost.
Obviously not.
But because for once…
I didn't feel like fighting.
Section E kept laughing.
And I?
I pretended to be angry.
But honestly?
I was just embarrassed.
And maybe…
Just a little happy.
Retreat hasn't even started properly.
And my reputation?
Completely gone. 😭