Jay's POV...
I didn't think my heart could beat this fast without something going wrong.
But nothing was wrong.
Everything was… perfect.
And maybe that's why it scared me.
I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection like I was looking at someone else. The dress, the way my hair fell perfectly, the subtle shine of the jewelry..t all felt too much for a girl who, just days ago, didn't even know she was going to get engaged.
My fingers trembled slightly as I adjusted the edge of my sleeve.
"Stop moving."
Rakki's voice came from behind me as she fixed something I didn't even notice was wrong.
"You're going to ruin it," she added dramatically.
"I'm not doing anything," I muttered.
"You're breathing too loudly."
"That's not even a thing."
"It is today."
Freya scoffed softly from the side. "If she passes out before the ceremony, I'm leaving."
"I'm not going to pass out," I said, even though my stomach felt like it was filled with butterflies that refused to stay still.
Mica stepped closer, her expression softer than the rest. "Hey… look at me."
I did.
"You look beautiful," she said quietly.
And just like that, something inside me calmed down a little.
"Thank you," I whispered.
Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened slowly.
And everything in me stilled.
My mother stood there.
For a second, no one spoke.
She looked at me like she was trying to take everything in at once, like she didn't want to miss a single detail.
Then she walked toward me.
I didn't move.
I couldn't.
When she finally reached me, her hands gently cupped my face, and before I could say anything, she pulled me into a tight hug.
That's when it hit me.
This was real.
"Look at you…" she whispered, her voice slightly shaking.
I held onto her, my fingers gripping the fabric of her outfit as my eyes stung.
"I didn't think this day would come so fast," she continued softly.
Neither did I.
Tita Gema stood beside her, smiling warmly, her eyes soft with emotion. "Our girl grew up too quickly," she said, placing her hand on my head gently.
I let out a small laugh through the emotions building in my chest.
Before I could recover, I felt another presence.
Aries.
He stood a little behind, his usual calm expression softer than I had ever seen it.
"You clean up well," he said, a faint smirk on his lips.
I rolled my eyes slightly, even as my heart felt full. "That's the best you've got?"
He stepped closer, placing his hand lightly on my head for a second, his voice quieter now. "Take care of yourself."
There was something more behind those words.
Something unspoken.
But I nodded anyway.
Then my eyes shifted to the last person standing there.
Kuya Angelo.
He didn't say anything at first.
He just looked at me.
And somehow, that was enough to make my chest tighten again.
When he finally walked closer, he didn't tease, didn't smile like usual.
He simply placed his hand on my head gently and said, "You're happy?"
I swallowed and nodded.
"Yes."
That was all he needed.
He gave a small approving smile.
And in that moment, I felt it.
Acceptance.
Support.
Family.
The moment I stepped outside, everything changed.
Lights, decorations, people
it all blurred for a second as my heart started racing again.
This wasn't just a moment anymore.
This was the moment.
Everyone was already there.
Voices, laughter, music..it all mixed together, but none of it mattered.
Because my eyes found him instantly.
Keifer.
He stood there, dressed perfectly, calm as always, like none of this was overwhelming for him.
But the moment his eyes met mine
Everything else disappeared.
The noise.
The people.
The world.
It was just him.
And the way he looked at me…
Like I was the only thing that mattered in that entire place.
My steps slowed without me realizing.
My heart was beating so loud I was sure everyone could hear it.
I walked toward him, each step feeling heavier and lighter at the same time.
When I finally stood in front of him, neither of us spoke immediately.
We just looked at each other.
"You look nervous," he said quietly.
"I am," I admitted.
"Good."
I let out a small breath, almost laughing. "You're not going to stop saying that, are you?"
"No."
That made me smile slightly.
For a second, everything felt… calm.
Like it was just us again.
Then someone cleared their throat loudly behind us.
"Okay can we continue or are we just going to watch them stare at each other forever?"
Rakki.
Of course.
Soft laughter spread around, breaking the moment just enough.
I looked down, trying to hide my smile.
Keifer didn't.
He never did.
When the ring was finally placed in his hand, my heart almost stopped.
This was it.
No more thinking.
No more questioning.
Just this moment.
He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine.
"Jay," he said, my name sounding different coming from him in that moment.
Softer.
Deeper.
"I don't say things I don't mean."
My breath caught.
"And I don't choose things I'm unsure about."
My fingers trembled slightly as he took my hand.
"I chose you."
The same words.
But they felt heavier now.
More real.
More permanent.
"And I'm not walking away from that."
My vision blurred slightly, but I didn't look away.
I couldn't.
Because in that moment, I believed him completely.
He slid the ring onto my finger slowly, carefully, like the moment actually mattered to him.
And maybe it did.
Maybe it always had.
The second it settled, the world around us erupted.
Cheers.
Claps.
Voices everywhere.
But I didn't hear any of it.
Because he was still looking at me.
Like nothing else existed.
And without thinking....
I smiled.
Not because I had to.
But because I wanted to.
Because this time…
I wasn't scared.