Evening.
The sky was turning soft orange.
Jay stood outside a café.
Smiling.
Laughing.
Arjun stood beside her.
"Still dramatic."
Jay rolled her eyes.
"And you're still irritating."
Arjun laughed.
"Missed this."
Jay smiled lightly.
"Same."
From across the road…
Keifer stepped out of his car.
His eyes found her.
Instantly.
Then…
That smile.
Not for him.
For someone else.
His jaw tightened.
He watched.
Arjun leaned closer.
Jay hit his arm playfully.
They laughed.
Easy.
Comfortable.
Too comfortable.
Something twisted inside Keifer.
Sharp.
Unfamiliar.
Jealousy.
He started walking toward them.
Slow.
Controlled.
But his eyes…
Not calm.
Jay noticed him.
Her smile faded slightly.
"Keifer?"
Arjun turned.
"Hey—"
Keifer didn't greet.
Didn't smile.
He just looked at Jay.
"Who is he?"
Jay blinked.
"What?"
Keifer repeated.
"Who is he?"
His tone…
Not soft.
Not accusing.
But intense.
Jay stepped closer to him.
"He's my friend."
Keifer didn't look convinced.
Arjun raised his hand slightly.
"Arjun."
"Her old friend."
Keifer nodded stiffly.
"Keifer."
Silence.
Awkward.
Heavy.
Jay noticed it immediately.
She turned to Arjun.
"I'll talk to you later?"
Arjun understood.
"Yeah."
He smiled.
"Nice meeting you."
Keifer gave a short nod.
Arjun left.
Now…
Just them.
The air felt tight.
Jay looked at him.
"What was that?"
Keifer exhaled.
"I don't know."
Honest.
Unexpected.
Jay softened a little.
"You looked… angry."
Keifer looked away.
"I was."
Jay frowned.
"Why?"
A pause.
Then quietly…
"I saw you."
Jay waited.
"With him."
Another pause.
Longer.
Jay stepped closer.
"And?"
Keifer finally looked at her.
His voice lower now.
"I didn't like it."
No ego.
No pride.
Just truth.
Jay blinked.
Surprised.
"You didn't like… me talking to my friend?"
Keifer shook his head slightly.
"Not that."
"Just…"
He struggled.
To say it right.
"To see you like that with someone else."
Jay's expression softened.
A lot.
"You got jealous?"
Keifer let out a small breath.
"Yes."
Simple.
Clear.
Jay's lips curved slightly.
"You could've just said that."
Keifer looked at her.
"I'm saying it now."
Jay smiled softly.
Then stepped even closer.
"So listen carefully."
Keifer raised a brow.
"I'm listening."
Jay spoke gently.
"He's just a friend."
"Nothing more."
Keifer watched her eyes.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Just honesty.
Jay continued.
"And you…"
A small pause.
"You're not."
Keifer's breath slowed.
"What am I?"
Jay smiled faintly.
"You're the one I chose."
Silence.
But soft this time.
Keifer stepped closer.
Almost closing the distance.
"And you expect me to stay calm after seeing that?"
Jay laughed lightly.
"No."
"I expect you to trust me."
Keifer nodded slowly.
"That… I can do."
Jay smiled.
"And next time?"
Keifer smirked slightly.
"I'll come and stand next to you."
Jay raised a brow.
"Possessive?"
Keifer tilted his head.
"Protective."
Jay laughed.
"Same thing."
Keifer smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
A small silence.
Comfortable.
Easy.
Jay spoke softly.
"You could've misunderstood."
Keifer nodded.
"I almost did."
Jay looked at him.
"But you didn't."
Keifer met her eyes.
"Because I came to you."
Jay smiled.
"Good."
Then gently…
"Keep doing that."
Keifer nodded.
"I will."
The tension faded.
Completely.
Replaced by something stronger.
Understanding.
Trust.
And a quiet promise…
That no misunderstanding…
Would ever break them.