JAY'S POV — Birthday Morning (The Next Day)
The morning sunlight spilled through my curtains, soft and golden, and I blinked awake slowly. My body felt like it had been through a storm, but… in the best possible way.
Last night kept replaying in my head — every kiss, every touch, every whispered "I love you" from Keifer. My cheeks were still hot, my heart still skipping like it had a mind of its own. I hugged my pillow, letting myself sink into the memory, trying to convince my brain to let me live there a little longer.
Eventually, hunger and the faint sound of clinking… maybe plates or cups… nudged me back to reality. Reluctantly, I swung my legs off the bed and shuffled toward the stairs.
And then I froze.
The living room had been transformed overnight. Balloons floated lazily toward the ceiling. Streamers hung across the walls. A small table was stacked with breakfast treats and — in the center — a cake that looked far too perfect to eat. Candles still flickered in the morning light, and a faint sugary aroma hung in the air.
And standing around it… smiling like they had been planning this for weeks… were the people who mattered most to me.
Aries, arms crossed but grinning like he had some secret victory.
Kuya Angelo, standing tall, hands on his hips, radiating that dramatic "I survived another disaster" energy.
Mom, eyes sparkling, hands clasped, clearly proud of her decorative skills.
Tita Gema, laughing softly, camera in hand, ready to capture every moment.
"Happy birthday, Jay!" they shouted in unison.
I froze. My mouth went dry. My brain tried to process, failed spectacularly, and my heart threatened to leap out of my chest.
Aries nudged me gently, grinning. "Eighteen already? Don't act like you didn't expect this."
Kuya Angelo held the cake up dramatically, as if the entire world revolved around it. "Do not—I repeat—do not blow out these candles too fast! Someone might get hurt if the flame dies before the wish is made!"
Mom laughed softly. "Ignore him, Jay. He's just enjoying the theatrics."
Tita Gema winked at me. "We just wanted to make it special. You deserve it, sweetheart."
I stumbled forward, voice barely working. "Th-thank you…"
Aries clapped me on the shoulder. "Now, sit. Eat. Smile. And don't even think about escaping. This is your day, and we're keeping you here whether you like it or not."
Kuya Angelo leaned a little closer, arms crossed, smirk tugging at his lips. "And if anyone even looks at you funny, they'll have to answer to me. Consider that a birthday warning."
I looked at the cake. My eyes flitted to the decorations. Then to all of them. My chest warmed. Somehow, after everything — after last night with Keifer, after the chaos of the past week — this felt… perfect.
It was loud. It was chaotic. It was messy. But it was full of love.
I couldn't stop the small laugh that escaped me, despite the fluttering in my chest.
And somewhere, deep down, I knew Keifer would be here later. He always had a way of showing up at the exact right time.
For now, though, this moment — family, chaos, warmth, cake, and love — was mine.
I took a deep breath, eyes shining, and finally smiled. "Thanks, everyone… really."
Aries nudged me with an exaggerated grin. "C'mon, birthday girl. Let's eat before Kuya Angelo starts giving a lecture on manners at the table."
Kuya Angelo raised an eyebrow dramatically. "Hey! I will lecture if necessary. Birthday or not!"
And for the first time that morning, I felt… completely at home.
JAY'S POV — Birthday Morning (Gifts & Surprises, Revised)
The candles on the cake flickered softly as I leaned forward, took a deep breath, and blew them out. Tiny sparks of frosting dusted the air, and for a moment, the whole world seemed to hold its breath.
"Good," Kuya Angelo said quietly, voice calm but carrying that rare, subtle weight that always made me pay attention. "Make it count. Wishes tend to come true when you mean them."
I smiled softly, catching the small warmth in his eyes that wasn't usually there — just for me.
Then came the gifts.
Kuya Angelo stepped forward first, holding a small box wrapped in black velvet. He handed it to me with an almost imperceptible bow, composed as ever.
"For you," he said simply, voice calm but firm. "I thought it might… suit you."
I opened it carefully. Inside lay a delicate bracelet — silver, intricate, with tiny charms that glittered subtly in the morning light. My fingers traced the smooth metal, and I looked up at him.
"It's beautiful…" I whispered.
"Of course," he said, eyes softening for the briefest moment. "Don't lose it. I'd prefer to know it's safe with you."
I laughed quietly, touched. "I won't, I promise."
Next was Aries. He stepped forward, hands full of a box and a grin that practically shouted I know you've been wanting this.
"Happy birthday, Jay," he said, voice warm but teasing. "Don't even think about pretending you don't love these."
I tore the paper away to find the sneakers I'd been dreaming about for months. My jaw practically dropped.
"Aries! You actually—"
"I did," he interrupted, smirking. "Because it's your birthday, and you deserve it. Now stop staring and put them on before they disappear into my closet."
I hugged him quickly. "Thanks, big brother!"
Tita Gema and Mom came next, stepping together with coordinated smiles. Tita Gema handed me a small, dainty pendant on a thin chain, while Mom held a beautifully folded dress in her hands.
"For my shining star," Mom said softly, eyes glimmering. "Because you deserve to feel beautiful, every day."
Tita Gema added, "And because birthdays are excuses for a little sparkle."
I carefully lifted the pendant from its box. A tiny star charm, silver, shining faintly in the morning light. My chest tightened.
"And the dress?" I asked, looking at Mom.
"You'll see," Mom said with a wink. "Try it on later. It's… very you."
I held up the dress, feeling the soft fabric slide through my fingers, imagining how it would feel against my skin. My heart swelled with gratitude.
I looked around at everyone — Kuya Angelo, calm and quietly protective, giving me just enough warmth without saying too much; Aries, open and affectionate, clearly proud to be my brother; Mom and Tita Gema beaming — and I felt completely overwhelmed.
"I… I don't even know what to say," I admitted, voice catching.
"Say you're happy," Kuya Angelo said, his voice soft but firm. "That's enough for me."
"I… am," I whispered, letting the warmth of the room fill me.
Aries grinned, giving me a gentle nudge. "Good. Now eat cake before it melts, birthday girl."
I glanced at the cake, then at my family surrounding me, and realized — this was the best birthday I could have asked for.
And somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew Keifer would be arriving soon. Because no birthday — not even one filled with balloons, cake, and gifts — would ever feel complete without him.
But for now, this moment, this warmth, this love… was more than enough.
I glanced at the cake, then at my family surrounding me, and realized — this was the best birthday I could have asked for.
We started cutting the cake, laughter filling the kitchen as Kuya Angelo handed me the first slice, Aries teasing me about who got the biggest piece, Mom reminding me not to get frosting on my new dress, and Tita Gema snapping pictures like a proud paparazzi.
The quiet joy of the morning settled in — until the doorbell rang.
We all paused.
"Who could that be?" I murmured, a little nervous.
Kuya Angelo's eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, just gesturing for me to go see.
I opened the door… and my jaw almost hit the floor.
Stella and David were standing there, each grinning like they were hiding the world's biggest secret. And behind them — I swear — stacked nearly to the ceiling, were gift boxes of all shapes and sizes. Wrapping paper spilling over, bows sticking out everywhere, and a few balloons tied to the pile for dramatic effect.
"Surprise!" Stella squealed, practically bouncing. "We didn't think one cake was enough for you, Jay! Happy Birthday!"
David waved a hand toward the pile like it was the most normal thing in the world. "We brought… a lot."
I blinked, completely frozen. "A lot?" I whispered.
"A LOT," Stella corrected, dramatically pointing at the mountain of gifts.
Aries chuckled, stepping protectively closer, like a silent warning: Hands off my sister's stuff. Kuya Angelo's calm eyes scanned the scene, a faint, amused smile tugging at the corners of his lips, his hand resting near the door frame — quiet, collected, protective.
Mom and Tita Gema exchanged amused glances behind me. "Well… looks like your friends came prepared," Mom said softly.
I swallowed hard, overwhelmed, staring at the mountain of presents and then back at Stella, who was practically vibrating with excitement.
"You guys didn't have to!" I said, my voice cracking slightly.
"Of course we did!" Stella insisted. "You're turning eighteen, Jay! It's a big deal! And we didn't even get started yet — there are more coming later!"
David gave a small laugh. "We wanted to make sure your birthday actually feels like a birthday."
I laughed nervously, glancing around at everyone — Kuya Angelo standing quietly by, Aries crossing his arms with a faint smirk, Mom and Tita Gema smiling warmly — and then back at the gifts.
I didn't know whether to cry, squeal, or just collapse from happiness.
"Well…" I said finally, taking a deep breath, "I guess I better start opening these before they take over the living room."
And with that, the chaos — and pure, unfiltered joy — of my eighteenth birthday truly began.
---
I spent the next few minutes opening gifts, each one perfectly chosen, exactly to my liking. Shoes I'd been dreaming of, little trinkets, clothes that made me smile — everything felt like it had been picked with me in mind.
Then Stella handed me two big boxes.
I hesitated, feeling my heart thump a little faster.
The first one I opened revealed a black leather jacket. At first, it looked like any other jacket, slightly worn — but then I held it closer, felt the familiar weight and the faint scent that made my chest tighten. My fingers trembled as I traced the leather.
It wasn't just any jacket.
It was Cole's.
A lump formed in my throat. Tears pricked my eyes as memories of him flooded back — his teasing grin, his protective words, the way he'd always been there for me. My hands shook, and I pressed the jacket to my chest, letting the tears fall freely.
Stella gently nudged me toward the second box. "Open it, Jay. You'll want to see this."
With a shaky breath, I lifted the lid. Inside was a beautiful necklace set, delicate and shining, paired with a photo frame holding a picture of all four of us — Stella, David, Cole, and me — smiling on some carefree day.
And tucked beside it… a letter from Cole.
I unfolded it with trembling hands, reading the familiar looping handwriting:
"Dear Jay,
Hey, my baby girl…
If you're reading this, it means you're smiling today. I want you to remember something — even though I'm not there in person, I'm never really gone. I'm in the little things you love, in the laughs you share, in the warmth that surrounds you. I'm in your heart, and I'll always be there when you need me.
I've always thought of you as my own little sister — someone I'd protect, someone I'd cheer for no matter what. So don't ever forget to fight, to shine, to keep being the amazing Jay Jay that makes everyone around you feel alive. You deserve happiness… and love… and all the little moments that make life worth it.
I may not be around to see you open presents, to tease you, to argue with you, or to laugh at your terrible jokes… but I'm smiling. Smiling because you're strong. Smiling because you're loved. Smiling because even now, you make me proud.
Keep me in your heart. Carry me in your smile. And when life gets too hard, remember — I've got your back, always.
And lastly Happy 18th Birthday Jay Jay, you deserve the world...
Love, always,
Cole"
I couldn't breathe for a second, my chest tight and my eyes brimming.
Stella wrapped her arms around me, whispering softly, "He's here with you, Jay. He always will be."
I clutched the necklace and the letter, pressing them close. "I… I miss him so much," I whispered, tears spilling freely now.
Kuya Angelo's calm voice came from behind me. "He's not gone, Jay. Not really. He's in every moment that matters."
Aries came up beside me, squeezing my shoulder gently. "We've got you. Always."
And in that moment, surrounded by my family, my friends, and the memory of someone I'd loved so dearly, I realized that even in the ache of loss, there was warmth, love… and hope....