Jay and Yuri were walking together in the evening.
The street was quiet.
Jay was happily talking about random things.
About the cats in her colony.
About the aunties gossiping.
About Keifer teasing her that morning.
But suddenly Yuri stopped walking.
Jay looked at him.
"What happened?"
Yuri's expression was serious.
"Jay… we need to talk."
Jay blinked.
"Okay… about what?"
Yuri sighed and crossed his arms.
"I don't like something."
Jay tilted her head.
"What?"
Yuri looked straight at her.
"Keifer."
Jay froze a little.
"Keifer?"
Yuri nodded.
"Yes."
Jay gave a small confused laugh.
"What about him?"
Yuri's voice became slightly cold.
"I don't like how close you are to him."
Jay frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"He is my best friend."
Yuri shook his head.
"That's the problem."
Jay didn't understand.
Yuri continued.
"Everywhere we go… people talk about you and Keifer."
"They say you follow him everywhere."
"They say you are his shadow."
Jay's smile slowly faded.
"That's not true…"
Yuri interrupted her.
"But that's what people think."
Jay looked down quietly.
Yuri stepped closer.
"And I don't like it."
Jay whispered.
"But Keifer has always been my friend…"
Yuri's tone became firmer.
"You have me now."
Jay looked up at him.
He continued.
"You don't need him that much anymore."
Jay felt something strange in her chest.
"But…"
Yuri spoke again before she could finish.
"If you love me… you should respect my feelings."
Jay stayed silent.
Yuri looked directly into her eyes.
"So stop talking to Keifer."
Jay's heart skipped.
"What?"
Yuri repeated calmly.
"Stop talking to him completely."
Jay stared at him in shock.
"But… he is my best friend."
Yuri sighed impatiently.
"Jay… you have to choose your priorities."
Jay's fingers tightened nervously.
"Keifer has always been there for me."
Yuri's voice became colder.
"And now I am."
Silence filled the air.
Jay felt confused.
Sad.
Torn.
Yuri gently held her hands.
"I just don't want people thinking my girlfriend belongs to someone else."
Jay slowly nodded.
Her voice was very soft.
"Okay…"
Yuri smiled slightly.
"Good."
But Jay didn't feel good.
Not at all.
The next day in college…
Keifer was sitting under their usual tree.
Waiting.
Like always.
He looked at the entrance again and again.
Finally Jay came.
But when she saw him…
She stopped.
For a moment their eyes met.
Keifer smiled a little.
"Jay!"
He waved his hand.
But Jay looked away.
And walked past him.
Without saying a single word.
Keifer's smile slowly disappeared.
He stood there confused.
Watching her walk away.
For the first time in years…
Jay ignored him.
And Keifer had no idea why.