Jay's POV
I heard the door creak open behind me, and I turned — Section E — into my hospital room, where Ma, Kuya, Aries, Tita, and Percy stepped in, their eyes weary with quiet worry. The white walls seemed brighter than usual, the sterile smell sharper. Machines hummed and blinked in soft rhythm, each beep a reminder that I was still tethered here — fragile, human, breakable.
Ci‑n was the first to reach me. His hands fidgeted until they found mine, and then he held on tight — too tight — as if he let go I would disappear . His thumb brushed across my knuckles. His eyes darted over my face, searching for something he was afraid he'd already lost.
"It's okay, Ci‑n," I whispered, my lips curving into a small, tired smile. "I'm still here."
He tried to answer, but his voice caught in his throat. I lifted my hand and gently guided him down until his forehead rested against my shoulder. He shuddered once and then gave in, wrapping his arms around me as I stroked his back in slow circles. His quiet sobs soaked into my gown, each one breaking through the sterile calm of the room. I held him.
Minutes — maybe hours — passed like that, though the clock beside me whispered otherwise. Eventually, one by one, they all began to leave. Ma's hand lingered on the doorframe. Aries gave me a trembling smile. Kuya's eyes glistened, though he turned before I could see the tears fall. Their footsteps echoed down the hall — soft, hesitant, fading. The steady beeping filled the silence they left behind.
Only Keifer stayed.
He didn't move, didn't speak. Just stood there by the window. I studied his face — the faint lines of worry near his brows, the way he pressed his lips together like he was holding back words that would hurt too much to say.
Finally, he crossed the room. I could see the tears gathering in his eyes, not falling yet, just clinging, trembling — waiting for permission. When he reached me, I lifted my hand and brushed his cheek with my thumb.
"You shouldn't cry," I whispered, though my own tears betrayed me.
He caught my hand and pressed it to his face, along the trail of his tears. "I can't help it," he said softly. "
My heart clenched
I reached up, my fingers trembling, touching the edge of his jaw. For a moment, we just looked at each other. The quiet between us was full — heavy, fragile, infinite. His breath mingled with mine, warm against my lips.
"I love you," he whispered. The words cracked halfway through, spilling out raw and trembling.
I smiled through the blur of tears. "I love you more."
He leaned down, hesitant at first, as if asking permission with every inch that closed between us. I closed my eyes and met him halfway.
The kiss was soft at first, almost careful — a trembling brush of lips, tentative and tender. But then something broke. Something deeper, hungrier, desperate. He kissed me harder, his hands in my hair, my fingers clutching at his shirt, our tears mingling together. It wasn't perfect; it was clumsy and real, heavy with love and fear and the ache of knowing it couldn't last forever.
When we finally pulled apart, foreheads resting together, we were both crying — quietly, without shame. His breath warmed my skin, quick and uneven.
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hi guys this is the last chapter,
I'm so sorry 😔 but I will release part 2 soon and also plz read my other book ' shadows we leave behind '
bwaiii 🤪💕🥹🥹✨✨✨🤗🤗🤗