JAY-JAY POV
Time skips to 1 week
Oh god.
It's been almost four years since I last stepped into the Philippines.
Now, setting foot on this land again makes me feel… happy.
Whole.
Like a piece of me that had been missing finally returned.
We decided to go to Tita Gemma's house because she wanted to see me and Keth.
The thought of her waiting, excited, warmed my chest.
"How long will the drive take?" I asked, glancing at Keifer, who was beside me, hands steady on the wheel.
"Soon," he said simply, his voice calm, his eyes focused on the road.
I leaned back, watching the familiar streets pass by—the tricycles, the sari-sari stores, the children playing barefoot by the roadside.
Nostalgia hit me like a wave, memories of my childhood rushing back.
Keth leaned forward from the backseat, his little face pressed against the window.
"Mama, look! So many jeepneys!" His excitement was contagious, his laughter filling the car.
I smiled, my heart swelling. "Yes, bub. This is where Mama grew up."
Keifer glanced at me, his lips curving into a small smile. "Feels good to be back, doesn't it?"
I nodded, my eyes misting. "It feels… like home."
"Papa, where are we going?" Keth asked, his little voice bubbling with curiosity.
"We're going to your Lola's house," Keifer answered, his hands steady on the wheel.
"Yay! Lola house means more cookies and sugar!" Keth shouted, bouncing in his seat, his excitement filling the car.
I laughed, shaking my head. "Oh god, you're going to turn her kitchen upside down."
Keifer smirked, glancing at me. "Better her kitchen than ours."
Keth clapped his hands, already imagining the treats. "Mama, Lola makes the best cookies! Better than Papa's pancakes!"
Keifer groaned dramatically, muttering, "Traitor."
I chuckled, reaching back to ruffle Keth's hair. "Don't worry, bub. Lola will spoil you as much as she spoiled me."
The car filled with laughter, the road stretching ahead, and with every mile closer to Lola's house, my heart felt lighter.
After years away, we were finally coming home—not just to a place, but to the people who had been waiting for us.
We finally reached Tita Gemma's house.
I got out of the car and helped Keth out, his little hand clutching mine tightly.
Keifer parked the car safely—not at the end of the street this time—and came to stand beside me.
I looked at the house, the walls and windows that had witnessed so much of my past.
Where everything happened.
"Brings back so many memories, doesn't it?" Keifer asked, his voice low, almost reverent.
"Yeah," I said, a laugh escaping me. "You always got punched by Kuya for kissing me in front of him."
Keifer smirked, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Still worth it."
I rolled my eyes, but my smile betrayed me. "Idiot."
We nodded, his eagerness making me smile despite the nerves twisting in my chest.
We walked to the door and rang the bell.
For a moment, silence hung in the air, broken only by Keth's impatient bouncing. Then, footsteps echoed from inside.
The door swung open, and there she was—Tita Gemma, her face lighting up the instant she saw us.
"Jay!" she cried, pulling me into a tight embrace before I could even step forward.
Her warmth, her scent, her voice—it all felt like home.
"How are you, sweety?" she asked, her eyes soft but searching.
"Good Tita" I said, smiling through the lump in my throat.
"You didn't miss me in the past four years?" she asked, her voice teasing but with a hint of hurt underneath.
"Oh, so much," I answered quickly, my chest tightening.
"Then why didn't you come?" she pressed gently.
"I wanted to," I whispered, "but things stopped me."
She nodded, her expression softening, her hand reaching out to squeeze mine. "It doesn't matter now. You're here. That's what counts."
She bent down next, scooping Keth into her arms. "Ay, ang gwapo ng apo ko! You look just like your Papa but with your Mama's eyes."
( Oh, my grandson is so handsome! - Ay, ang gwapo ng apo ko!)
Keth giggled, already melting into her hug. "Lola, cookies?" he asked, his voice full of hope.
Tita Gemma laughed, wiping at her eyes before scooping him into her arms. "Ay, this boy! Always food first. Just like his Mama."
Keifer chuckled from behind me, shaking his head. "See? Even Tita knows."
I rolled my eyes, but my smile betrayed me. "Don't start."
Tita Gemma pulled me into another hug, her voice warm and steady. "Welcome home, Jay. This house missed you."
And standing there, with my son in her arms and Keifer smiling beside me, I realized—I had missed it too.
I went inside the house and saw Kuya Angelo. "Welcome, Jay," he greeted me warmly. "How are you?"
"I'm good, Kuya. What about you?" I asked.
"Good," he said simply, his smile steady.
Just then, some lady came forward. "Jay," she said, her voice kind as she hugged me. Her embrace was warm, though I didn't know her.
"I don't think you know me," she said with a smile. "I'm Ion—Angelo's wife."
My eyes widened. Kuya… married?
"Kuya, you didn't tell me!" I exclaimed, staring at him in shock.
He raised a brow, smirking. "Did you tell me about Keth?"
"That's different," I said quickly, trying to defend myself, my cheeks heating.
Keifer chuckled from behind me, shaking his head. "Looks like secrets run in the family."
Kuya's wife laughed softly, her hand resting on my arm. "Don't worry, Jay. We'll have plenty of time to catch up. You'll know everything soon."
Keth peeked out from behind me, his eyes wide. "Mama, who's she?"
"She's your Tita," I explained gently, smiling at him.
Keth tilted his head, then grinned. "Does Tita also make cookies?"
Everyone burst out laughing, the tension melting into warmth. Kuya shook his head, muttering, "This boy really inherited your food obsession."
I rolled my eyes, but my heart swelled.
After four years, surprises or not, it felt good to be back—with family, laughter, and love waiting at the door.
Aries came, his grin already mischievous. "How are you, monkey?" he asked.
"I'm a good horoscope. What about you?" I shot back, smirking.
"Don't call me horoscope," he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Well, you called me monkey," I retorted, crossing my arms.
He flicked my forehead, quick and smug.
I rubbed it, glaring, and was about to pinch him when—
"You two stop fighting," Tita came and said, her voice firm but amused.
Aries immediately straightened, pretending to look innocent. "I wasn't fighting, Mama. She started it."
I gasped, pointing at him. "Me? You flicked my forehead!"
Tita shook her head, sighing. "Ay naku, you two never change. Still like children."
(AY NAKU - OH MY)
Keifer chuckled from the corner, leaning against the wall. "Now I see where Keth gets it from."
Keth giggled, hiding behind Lola's skirt. "Mama's a monkey, Papa's a mosquito, and Kuya Aries is a horoscope!"
The whole room burst into laughter, even Tita couldn't hold back her smile.
I groaned, covering my face. "Great. My son is joining the teasing squad."
Aries ruffled Keth's hair proudly. "Smart kid. He knows how to roast already."
And just like that, the house filled with noise again—playful, chaotic, and full of love.
Just like that time passed
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🌹✨ Author's Note ✨🌹
How was the chapter? 👀💫
I hope it reached your expectations—because the storm is only just beginning 🔥.
Get ready for the chaos, because the next chapters are going to shake everything 💥
For the good or for the bad, nothing will ever be the same🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥💥🔥
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I want to see your theories, your emotions, and your wild guesses 🌹✨.