Chapter 5
Nights That Felt Like Us
It didn't stop at texting.
It got worse.
Or maybe…
better.
One night…
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
But I already knew.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds.
My heart beating faster for no reason.
Then I picked up.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then—
"Missed me?"
I rolled my eyes instantly.
"No."
A soft chuckle.
"Liar."
"I'm cutting the call."
"Okay okay wait—"
I paused.
"Don't cut it."
Something about his voice…
softer than usual…
made me stay.
"Why did you call?"
"Because texting is boring."
"And talking to you isn't?"
"Hmm…"
Pause.
"Not really."
I frowned.
"Rude."
"I didn't say it's good either."
"Keifer—"
He laughed.
And I hate to admit it…
but I smiled.
That night…
we talked.
About random things.
College.
Friends.
Nothing important.
But somehow…
it felt important.
After that…
it became a habit.
Every night.
Same time.
Same call.
"Hello, idiot."
"Hello, more idiot."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"Say that again."
"Idiot."
"Wow… no respect."
"You don't deserve it."
"Hmm… but you still answer my calls."
I paused.
"…by mistake."
"Every day?"
"…shut up."
He laughed again.
And slowly…
very slowly…
his tone started changing.
More teasing.
More playful.
More… something else.
"Jay…"
"What?"
"You sound cute when you're angry."
I froze.
"Stop it."
"Stop what?"
"Talking like that."
"Like what?"
"…like that."
He hummed softly.
"I like it."
"I don't."
"Liar."
My heart was beating too fast.
"Keifer, I'll cut the call."
"Okay… but before that—"
Pause.
"Say my name once."
"What?"
"Just once."
"…why?"
"I want to hear it."
I stayed silent.
"Jay…"
his voice dropped slightly.
"Say it."
My fingers tightened around the phone.
"…Keifer."
Silence.
Then—
a soft breath on the other side.
"Hmm… sounds better from you."
I felt my cheeks heat up.
"Shut up."
"Make me."
That line again.
And every time he said it…
something inside me fluttered.
I didn't understand it.
Why did his voice feel different at night?
Why did I wait for his calls?
Why did I smile like this?
It didn't make sense.
But it felt nice.
Too nice.
Some nights…
we didn't even talk much.
Just stayed on call.
Silent.
Listening to each other breathe.
And somehow…
that silence felt louder than words.
"Jay…"
"Hmm?"
"Don't sleep."
"Why?"
"Stay with me."
My heart softened.
"I'm right here."
He didn't reply.
But he didn't cut the call either.
And neither did I.
Those nights…
became ours.
Hidden from the world.
Untouched by reality.
Where he flirted…
I scolded…
He teased…
And I—
I fell.
Slowly.
Silently.
Without even realizing it.
And the most dangerous part?
I didn't want to stop.
Because those late night calls…
felt like home.
And I didn't know then…
that one day…
those same nights would turn into memories
I would cry over.
To be continued… 😏💔