The clock glowed past midnight as Kean sat cross-legged on his bed, half his clothes already folded, half still scattered around him. His laptop screen shimmered with Kaye's sleepy face on the call. She was sitting on her floor, a travel bag open beside her, her eyes bright even though it was late.
"Are you done packing, bubs?" she asked, tightening her ponytail.
Kean held up a shirt. "Almost! I still can't decide whether to bring the white or the gray one. Which looks better when I finally meet you?"
Kaye giggled. "White. You always look calm in white."
He smiled at that—small, tired, yet full of energy that no hour could drain. "Then white it is. You?"
"I'm packing this yellow top," she said, holding it up to the camera. "My aunt said I look happier in yellow. Do I?"
"You always look happy to me," he said, then caught himself smiling like a fool. "Gosh, I can't believe we're finally meeting later. Feels unreal."
"It does," Kaye whispered, resting her chin on her knees. "After everything, all the late-night talks, the breakdowns, the jokes… this is it."
Kean zipped his bag and leaned closer to the screen. "I swear, I might not sleep tonight. My heart's racing just thinking of it."
Kaye nodded, her smile softening. "Let's promise one thing, bubs—no matter what happens, we'll make this weekend our favorite memory."
"You got my word," he said. "And I'll make sure your first sight of me won't disappoint."
Kaye laughed lightly, covering her mouth. "You already don't. Now go sleep before you oversleep."
"Only if you do first."
She yawned, nodding. "Okay fine. Virtual hug before we go?"
Kean raised his arms toward the screen; Kaye mirrored him. For a long few seconds, both just stayed there—eyes half-closed, smiling like the world outside didn't exist.
"Goodnight, my Kaye."
"Goodnight, my Kean. See you in a few hours."
The call ended, leaving their reflections in dark screens, both hearts pounding in sync miles apart.
A gentle hum of an engine rolled into the compound just as the morning sun peeked between the roofs. Kean peeked through the window and smiled—Aunt Divine's old gray pickup had arrived. The familiar clatter of its door echoed memories from his childhood, and for a moment, he could almost see the younger version of himself waving goodbye on those long summer days.
Raquela stepped out from the kitchen when she heard the car door slam. "Oh! Divine! You came early," she said, her voice light with surprise and warmth.
"Of course I did," Aunt Divine laughed, stepping out with her tote bags filled with groceries. "I promised I'd bring some supplies, didn't I? You can never trust city prices anymore!" The two women chuckled, their voices filling the front yard with that familiar, homely noise.
Noelle, the driver, climbed out next, stretching his arms before spotting Kean by the door. "Oh, Kean?!" he called out with a grin. "You're getting taller, huh? I remember picking you up with this same pickup when you were a kid—always so excited for your Manila vacations!"
Kean smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Haha, yeah, I remember that too. You even used to give me candies for the ride."
"Oh, those were the days," Noelle said, shaking his head with a nostalgic grin.
Inside, Aunt Divine handed a bag of fruits to Raquela, their conversation now drifting from groceries to old family stories, even laughing over the smallest things. Kean watched them quietly for a moment, feeling the soft ache of appreciation for the family he still had.
Then Aunt Divine turned toward him with that gentle smile she always carried.
"You ready?" she asked. "I know today's a big day for you, Kean. I'm proud, you know? You've grown a lot. Just always remember—no matter what happens, I'll always support you."
Kean felt a warmth spread through his chest. He nodded, smiling genuinely this time. "Thank you, Aunt Divine. For everything. I packed my things last night—I'm all set."
"Good boy," she said, patting his shoulder with affection. "Let's make this trip a memorable one, okay?"
Kean nodded once more, glancing back toward his room where his backpack rested beside his guitar case. This is it, he thought. This might be the day everything changes.
The hum of the engine filled the air as the pickup rolled past the countryside highway. The sky was still painted in soft hues of gold and blue, and Kean leaned against the window, the wind brushing his hair as they began their journey to Manila. The smell of coffee from Aunt Divine's cup filled the car.
"So," Aunt Divine started with a teasing grin, "who packed your things this time? Don't tell me Aunt Raquela still ironed your socks for you?"
Kean chuckled, stretching his arms. "Of course not, me, silly! I packed everything myself."
"Oh, very good," Aunt Divine replied, pretending to sound impressed. "Your Aunt Raquela isn't controlling your stuff anymore, I hope?"
"Well… a little sometimes," Kean admitted, laughing softly. "But whatever, she's been like that always. It's kind of her way of showing care."
From the driver's seat, Noelle joined in with his usual humor. "You know, I was drunk last night," he said, half laughing. "That's why I forgot to wear a shirt. Now I'm stuck wearing this sando! Haha!"
Aunt Divine burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh, Noelle! Please just focus on the road! I don't need any shirtless driver stories today."
Kean smiled from the backseat, watching them with amusement. He felt lighthearted—nervous but full of excitement. This trip wasn't just any other drive to the city; it was the day he would finally meet her.
Noelle looked at the rearview mirror. "So, where to again? SEA Mall, right? The biggest one in Asia, they say."
"Correct," Aunt Divine said proudly, sipping her coffee. "That's where our young lover boy here is headed."
Kean felt his cheeks warm up. "Auntie, please…" he mumbled, looking out the window with a shy grin.
The laughter in the car faded into the soft rhythm of the tires against the road. Kean pulled out his phone, opened Lityear, and typed a quick message:
Kean: on the way now, love :)
Kaye: hehe, me too! but earlier than you ;) can't wait!
Reading her message made his heart flutter. The distance didn't feel so heavy anymore. The thought of seeing her—face to face, in the same world—kept him smiling until the drowsiness took over.
He leaned his head back, closed his eyes, and drifted into a calm nap, dreaming of that moment when their worlds would finally align.
Hours later, Noelle's voice woke him. "We're here!"
Kean blinked his eyes open. The sound of the city surrounded them—cars honking, chatter echoing, and the distant splash of fountains. Outside the window stood the grand SEA Mall, shining beneath the bright Manila sky.
Aunt Divine looked at him and smiled softly. "Well, Kean. Welcome to the start of something new."
Kean took a deep breath, his heart racing. This is it.
The morning glow had barely settled when Kean stepped out of Aunt Divine's pickup. SEA Mall towered before them—glass, steel, and a thousand reflections dancing in the light. Families streamed in, the scent of breakfast bread drifting through the plaza.
Aunt Divine smiled as she adjusted her sunglasses. "So, this is the place, huh? The big meetup."
Kean chuckled nervously. "Yeah… finally."
Noelle leaned against the pickup, sipping his coffee. "Well, good luck, lover boy. Don't faint when you see her."
"Ha-ha," Kean muttered, rolling his eyes but unable to hide his grin.
Aunt Divine placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You've grown, Kean. Remember, enjoy this day, whatever happens, okay?"
He nodded, eyes gleaming. "Thanks, Aunt Divine. For everything."
As they waved goodbye, Kean took a deep breath, adjusting his sling bag and checking his phone.
A message blinked:
Kaye: Just arrived too! Aunt Rowena dropped me off—this mall is huge! Hey I saw a buffet there! Gosh I hope that place would be a treat for my 19th birthday soon!
He smiled. His heart pounded faster.
Kean: I'm here already. Near the fountain!
Kaye: Me too! I can see the ferris wheel from here!
The SEA Mall plaza stretched open before them—wide steps, fluttering banners, the hum of summer joy. Kean scanned the crowd, his gaze flicking everywhere. Any moment now...
Kean: Are you wearing the white blouse?
Kaye: Yup! With denim jeans. You?
Kean: Blue jacket.
He looked around, turning full circle. No white blouse. No one holding a phone up like he expected.
Kean: I don't see you… wait, are you near the ferris wheel?
Kaye: Yeah, it's right in front of me. The white and yellow one.
He froze.
Kean: Yellow? No, it's blue.
Kaye: Huh? Are there two ferris wheels here?
The air thickened. Laughter escaped his throat, shaky but trying to stay calm. "Maybe it's a new one," he whispered, walking closer to the attraction.
But something felt off. The sunlight dimmed slightly, colors around him faintly desaturated—as if the world flickered.
He ran to a nearby security guard.
"Sir, there's only one ferris wheel here, right?"
The guard tilted his cap. "Yes, sir. Just one. Always has been."
Kean stepped back slowly. His pulse quickened.
His phone vibrated. A video call request.
He answered—Kaye's face filled his screen, glowing with confusion and light.
"Kean?"
"Yeah, I'm here—look, see?" He turned his camera toward the skyline. The ferris wheel shimmered in white and blue.
Kaye did the same—and hers reflected white and yellow, spinning in perfect sync but under a slightly different hue of sky.
They both turned silent. The air between them felt alive, humming, glitching in faint distortions.
Kaye (softly): Kean… I don't understand.
Kean: I'm right here, Kaye. Why can't I—
Static. A digital screech tore through the call. Both winced, clutching their heads as a sudden sharp pain stabbed their temples. The video cracked into fragments, images bleeding over each other—two worlds trying to overlap.
Then silence.
The connection died.
Both screens saved a single photo—each showing the same ferris wheel, but in different colors, under skies that almost matched… but not quite.
The bright hum of the SEA Mall faded into a blur.
Kean stood near the railing of the second floor, glancing around — searching for that familiar face he'd imagined countless times. His hands were shaking slightly as he gripped his phone. The last message from Kaye still glowed on his screen.
Kaye: I'm here… I can't find you.
Kean: I'm here too. By the ferris wheel. Are you sure you're not pranking me?
Kaye's voice trembled on the call.
"Kean, I'm sorry… I think I can't do this now. I'm feeling dizzy. I can't find you."
Kean's heart dropped. "Hey, don't give up. Maybe you just missed a turn, or maybe—"
He stopped mid-sentence as the world around him slightly blurred, as if a camera lens suddenly lost focus. His vision pulsed in waves of light. "Kaye? Kaye, can you hear me?"
The signal flickered.
Her face pixelated into fragments before the call ended.
Minutes later, both sat — unknowingly in identical lounges, separated not by distance but by reality itself.
Their heads ached, their breaths shallow.
Kaye: I'm here at the lounge. Aren't you here?
Kean: I'm here too.
Kaye: You're not here… What's happening?
Kean: Are you real? Or… are you a ghost?
Kaye: Don't say that to me! I don't know what's happening. I can't even tell my aunt — it'll only make things worse.
Kean: Same here. I told her you cancelled your trip because of an emergency. Let's just… rest for now. We'll solve this later.
Their messages lingered on the dim screen, pulsing faintly as if alive.
Kaye leaned her head against her aunt's shoulder, eyes heavy, whispering softly to herself, "But I saw him. I swear I did."
Kean sat quietly, staring at the mall's lights that no longer felt bright.
It was supposed to be the happiest day of their lives — the day they'd finally meet.
Instead, it became a day that never met.
And then, a new notification popped up.
Both phones vibrated at the same time.
[LITYEAR MESSAGE ALERT]
Sender: Tobie
"I need to meet you on a video call very soon. This is important.
I'm the creator of this app. Please respond ASAP."
Kean stared at the name, brows furrowed.
"Kaye… did you receive this too?"
"Yes," she replied, her tone trembling. "Who is he?"
"I don't know," Kean muttered. "But he might know what's happening. Because right now… this feels like a dream."