Jay sat in her room, the soft afternoon light spilling across the floor, when her father spoke.
"We've spoken to a good family," he said gently. "A match has been arranged for you, Jay."
Jay blinked, calm as ever. "I see."
"You're okay with it?" her mother asked, a little worried.
"I… am," Jay said simply. "It feels right. I agree."
Later that day, Keifer found her sitting on the veranda, sipping tea. He approached quietly, careful not to startle her.
"Congratulations," he said, his voice steady, though his eyes lingered a little too long.
Jay smiled softly. "Thanks. I… hope you're happy for me."
"I am," he said, nodding. "Truly."
They shared a moment of silence, just watching the garden sway in the wind. Then, almost on instinct, they leaned slightly closer.
"You'll make him happy," Keifer said, and his voice carried a strange undertone, almost grudging admiration.
Jay tilted her head, reading the subtle tension behind his words. "And you…? You'll be happy too, right?"
Keifer's lips pressed into a thin line. "I… I will be," he said, though he glanced at the empty space beside her where she would have sat with anyone else. And when he imagined her with the boy her parents had chosen, a small pang twisted in his chest.
Jay noticed the flicker in his expression but didn't comment. She just smiled faintly, sipping her tea.
"Don't… overthink it," she said lightly, almost teasing. "You're still free, Keifer. No one's taking that from you."
He looked at her, caught between relief and frustration. "I know," he muttered, though his jaw tightened. Seeing another boy near her—laughing, talking, sharing moments—made him realize how much he actually wanted her for himself, even if he had never admitted it.
Jay tilted her head, curiosity hidden behind her calm exterior. "Funny," she said quietly, "how people only notice what they've been missing when it's almost too late."
Keifer didn't respond. He just watched her, silent, wishing he could rewind time—or fast-forward it—until things made sense, until he could claim her in some way that didn't hurt anyone, but he knew deep down… some part of him already wanted her entirely.
Jay smiled faintly, unaware of the storm he was trying to hide.
And for now, that was enough.