JAY'S POV
IT'S TODAY. MY BIRTHDAY.
Exactly 12:00 AM. The kind of moment that feels both magical and anticlimactic like something huge is supposed to happen, but you're just lying in bed, under a blanket that smells like fabric softener, scrolling through old messages.
I don't usually make a big deal about my birthday. No parties, no attention, nothing grand. But still… it's my day. A quiet little reminder that I've made it through another year and that means something.
Just as I'm about to turn off my phone and close my eyes, the screen lights up.
Incoming Call: Keifer Gago 🧡
I grin before I even press accept.
"Happy birthday, my Jasper Jean," Keifer says in that low, sleepy voice of his, the one that sounds like warm tea and late-night drives. "I hope I'm the first."
I laugh, my heart already fluttering like it's heard a secret. "Hah! Thank you, King of the Ulupongs. Technically… you're the very first to wish me, after myself, of course."
He chuckles, and I can hear him smile through the phone. "I'll take second place, only because you're unbeatable."
"One sec, I'll call you back," I say quickly, hearing a knock at my bedroom door.
It creaks open, and Aries peeks his head in. "Happy birthday, dummy. And goodnight."
I smile softly. "Thanks, Aries. Goodnight."
The second he leaves, I flop back onto my pillow and redial Keifer's number.
But before the line even connects, I get a call from him.
Weird.
I pick up. "Hello?"
"Come outside," he says and the call drops.
I sit up, blinking in disbelief.
IS THIS IDIOT FOR REAL?
He wants me to come outside. At midnight. Has he lost his mind?? If Kuya Angelo sees me, I'm finished. Buried. Gone. Say goodbye to Jay. She died sneaking out on her birthday.
But still…
There's something about Keifer. I can't say no to him.
So I slide off my bed, run a brush through my hair, throw on a hoodie over my nightdress to look slightly decent, and tiptoe to the front gate like I'm on a stealth mission.
Every step felt like I was risking my life, my freedom, and potentially my legs if Kuya caught me. But when I saw his car parked just at the corner of our street, all the fear melted into a puddle of excitement.
He stepped out of the car and opened his arms dramatically.
"Surprise."
I laughed, trying to keep my voice low. "Nice surprise. You're gonna get me killed if anyone sees us. Kuya especially. We could've just met at school tomorrow like normal people."
He grinned, unfazed. "Where's the fun in normal?"
I shook my head and went in for a quick hug. "Now go home and sleep, lunatic."
I was about to pull away when he suddenly said, "Jayyy… you haven't seen your surprise yet, though."
I blinked. "What do you mean, Keifer? I saw you. You're the surprise."
He laughed. "No, Jay. I'm not the surprise."
I tilted my head, now thoroughly confused. "Then… what is?"
Without answering, he turned to the passenger side of the car, opened the door, and pulled out a box and a bag.
He handed me the box first.
I opened it and gasped.
Inside was the most beautiful red velvet cake I'd ever seen, with cursive white frosting that read:
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FUTURE MRS. WATSON 🤍"
I squealed. "KEIFER. What the hell?! Mrs. Watson?!"
He shrugged with that cheeky grin of his. "It's the truth. Wait lemme light the candle."
He pulled out a lighter like he'd planned this for days, and soon, the soft orange flame danced in the night air.
"Okay, Jay. Make a wish and blow it out."
I closed my eyes, smiled, and made the simplest wish I could think of:
Peace. Joy. Keifer. Always.
Then I blew out the candle.
He leaned closer. "What'd you wish for?"
I smirked. "If I say it, it won't come true."
He groaned playfully and handed me the bag next. "Fine. Here's your actual gift. I even wrapped it nicely be impressed💪🏻."
Inside was a soft box.
And when I opened it, my breath caught.
A RING. A Diamond…glimmering ring💍 .
"Keifer…" I whispered, my fingers trembling.
"I've wanted to give you this for so long," he said softly. "I had it made especially for you. I gave the jeweler a description based on everything I love about you. This ring… it's you. It's my love. My commitment. My promise that no matter what happens, you're the one I want to grow old with. I love you, Jasper Jean Fernandez Mariano. More than anything."
Tears welled in my eyes. I looked at him, then at the ring, then back again.
All I could manage was, "I love you so much, Mark Keifer Watson."
Then like something out of a drama, he bent down on one knee.
With the streetlight above us flickering like it was part of the plan, he held the ring up and asked:
"Jay… will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me? Be my wife and everything more?"
I felt the world spin. Not in a bad way, in the dizzy, euphoric, once-in-a-lifetime kind of way.
My heart and mouth screamed yes.
But I paused.
"Keifer… I don't want to get married now. I still want to go to university, chase dreams, do things before settling down. I accept your proposal. Just… not the ring. Not yet."
He blinked, surprised but then he smiled so gently.
"Jay…"
I giggled, wiping a tear. "Also, next time you propose, make sure I'm not in a hoodie and nightdress, okay?"
He burst out laughing. "Deal. But it's still a yes for the future, right?"
I nodded. "Definitely. You're all I want."
He stood, hugged me tightly, then suddenly picked me up and spun me around, both of us laughing like idiots under the stars.
"Make sure you keep the ring safe, okay?" I whispered.
"Don't worry," he said, grinning. "The ring is in VERY safe hands."
Then we kissed, right then. Under the moonlight. Just us.
We shared a slice of cake, fed each other like dorks, giggled through the frosting, and held hands until I finally said, "Keifer… it's almost 1 AM. I really need to go now."
"Alright," he said, kissing my forehead. "See you in school, birthday girl. Love you."
(Bg song music : Dekha Ek Khwab To Ye Silsile Huye) (for all my desi 🤍)
I gave him a small wave and sprinted back home like I was running from an action scene. Slipped through the front gate, tiptoed inside, and just as I reached the stairs—
Aries came out of the washroom.
He narrowed his eyes. "Where were you?"
"Uhh… water. I went to get water."
He looked unconvinced.
I dashed to my room before he could interrogate me further.
Jumped onto my bed, still clutching my phone, and smiled like a fool.
Birthday messages were pouring in from all the ulupongs. I replied to each one with a thank you, but my mind?
Still on Keifer. Always Keifer.
And with that, I drifted off to sleep, heart full.
⸻
ARIES'S POV
Does she think I'm stupid?
She can't lie to save her life.
She was outside. No doubt about it.
What did she think? That I wouldn't hear the front gate creak? That I wouldn't notice her sneaking back in like a poorly trained ninja?
And more importantly… Keifer.
That monkey had the audacity to show up at midnight. On my sister's birthday. What's wrong with him?
I mean, yeah. Apparently, they're dating now.
It's weird. Jay's never been like this about anyone. But this time… she actually likes him.
Still. Midnight? Really?
I wonder what they were doing out there. Talking? Cake? Probably. Hopefully.
I SWEAR TO GOD IF HE TOUCHED HER—
I will plan his funeral myself. Custom coffin. Good black interior. Maybe even glitter BHAHAHAAA.
Whatever is going on between them… it won't be easy. Not with the way things are. Not with Section E. Not with the chaos our lives always seem to attract.
But deep down… I trust Keifer. As annoying and stupid as he is, he'd protect her.
She's safe with him.
And Section E? They are fond of her. She has backup. People who care. People who will fight for her.
Still, I made a promise. A long time ago. To protect Keifer, in whatever way I could.
And now, that promise means something different.
I'll do what I can. Even if it's not much.
I wonder what Percy thinks about all this… but he's probably asleep, drooling into his pillow like the useless donkey he is.
Sigh.
I better sleep before I give myself a headache.