The Ember and The Queen

Rain's POV 

The moment we reached the pantry, the familiar buzz of Nica and Solene's gossip session floated through the air like background music. They were leaned over the table, giggling and whispering, but the second they saw us, their eyes lit up like sparklers.

"Well, well, who's the drama queen and the rooftop rookie?" Nica said with a teasing smirk, crossing her arms like she was ready for a full-blown interrogation.

We were just about to sit down when—boom—Kai's crew popped out of nowhere like they were summoned by some hidden signal.

"Keisha!! OMG, kanina ka pa namin hinahanap!" Luna's voice rang out, and for a second, it felt like the whole pantry turned to look at us.

Then she paused, eyes landing on me. I caught her grin—the type that spelled dangerously curious. "Heya!" she greeted like we were already besties.

Kai, looking just a tad bit cornered, tried to keep it casual. "May pinuntahan lang kami—"

But Luna, of course, wasn't letting it slide. "Kami? Like you and who?" she asked, already turning toward me with a full-on knowing look.

Kai sighed and gave in. "Girls, meet my crew—the loudest people I know. Luna and Elisse."

Solene gave them a nod. "Hey, Luna. Hi, Elisse."

Then Luna practically squealed like she was in a K-drama. "OMG! OMG! Kinikilig ako!"

All of us blinked, confused.

"Bakit ka naman kinikilig?" Kai asked, looking almost scared of what would come next.

"Kasi... kasi... AHHH! I've been dying to meet you guys and here we are—OMG OMG talaga!" Luna clutched her own face like she was holding in a scream.

Nica, ever the straight-shooter, raised an eyebrow. "Well, you are really that loud ha," she deadpanned, making Elisse laugh.

Then Elisse said, "Kai, tumawag nga pala si Tita Lynn. Hinahanap ka—hindi ka daw niya matawagan."

Kai's expression shifted instantly. "Oh shit," she muttered, pulling out her phone. "Wait lang, girls ha."

She turned around and walked a few steps away, already dialing.

While the rest of us continued chatting and giggling—mostly Luna taking the role of lead gossiper—I caught sight of Kai from the corner of my eye. Her back was tense, shoulders slightly raised. And even though she tried to keep her voice low, there was something in her expression... something off.

Her brows furrowed, and her hand gripped the phone tighter. It was subtle, but I knew that look. That wasn't a casual check-in call. That was something else.

I didn't say anything—yet—but a knot slowly formed in my stomach.

Something was definitely wrong.

Kai's POV

"Anak, parang lumalala na talaga ang mama mo."

That was the first thing I heard when I picked up the call. Tita Lynn's voice was tired, thick with worry. I felt my chest tighten.

"Nung umalis kayo papuntang eskwelahan, nagwawala na naman siya. Hinahanap si Keith. Nakita niya daw kasi si Keith—kaya napilitan akong sabihin sa kanya na wala na si Keith."

She paused for a moment, and I could hear her trying to compose herself. I felt like my lungs couldn't expand enough.

"Kaya ayun... nagwawala na naman siya."