The Ember and The Queen

Kai's POV

The next morning, the world dragged me out of sleep by the throat-
-or rather, Luna did.

"KEISHA!!!"
Her voice echoed through the apartment like a siren.
"Gumising ka na!!"

I jolted awake, heart hammering against my ribs. For a second, I thought I was back at the ER, about to sprint into another trauma case.
But no-
the smell of garlic rice and fried eggs wafted from the kitchen, and the low hum of Luna's old radio was playing some upbeat morning show.

I groaned into the throw pillow I had used as a makeshift blanket.
My entire body protested every slight movement. My muscles were stiff, my back ached from the awkward way I had passed out on the couch, and my brain still felt like it was soaked in wet cement.

"Keishaaa, kung hindi ka babangon ngayon, ako mismo ang magbubuhos ng malamig na tubig sa'yo!" Luna threatened from the kitchen, the sound of a frying pan clanging against the stove for dramatic effect.

I forced one eye open and mumbled toward the ceiling,
"Five more minutes, Ma..."
then immediately winced at how automatic that was.

"Wala kang Mama dito!" Luna yelled back, laughing. "May tapsilog ka dito, pero kung ayaw mo, akin nalang lahat to!"

At the mention of food, my stomach gave a painful growl.
Apparently, my body could override exhaustion for the promise of garlic rice and fried beef.

With a groan, I swung my legs off the couch, dragging myself upright.
Every movement felt like I was made of broken glass and dried cement.
But somehow, somehow, I made it to the kitchen, where Luna was plating two heavy servings of breakfast.

She turned around, hands on her hips, glaring at me like a mother hen.
"Look who's alive," she said, snickering.

I just slumped into the nearest chair and muttered,
"Remind me to never ever again pull a 12-hour surgery and ER trauma shift back-to-back."

Luna slid a plate in front of me and said, "Eat. Then complain."

And for once, I obeyed.

We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, the clink of forks against plates and the faint buzz of the radio filling the room. It was peaceful-almost too peaceful-until Luna decided she couldn't hold back anymore.

"Kamusta naman ang operation?" she asked between bites of garlic rice, keeping her tone casual.

I shrugged, swallowing down a spoonful before answering,
"Okay lang. Nakakapagod pero successful naman."

She nodded, then without missing a beat, asked,
"Nandoon ba si Rain?"

I shot her a wary look.
"Yeah," I said shortly. "She was observing sa gallery. Kasama yung ibang higher ups at ilang resident doctors."

Luna chuckled, a mischievous glint lighting up her sleepy eyes.
"So... kamusta ang puso mo after ten years of not seeing her?" she teased, wiggling her eyebrows like an idiot.

I groaned and dramatically dropped my head onto the table.
"Luna," I muttered into the wood, "wala na. Binaon ko na yon sa hukay, sinemento, sinabugan pa para sure."

She burst out laughing.
"Aba, triple burial! Sigurado ka? Malay mo, multuhin ka niyan."

I lifted my head and scowled at her.
"Kung multuhin man ako, siguro dahil binigyan mo ako ng tapsilog habang lutang pa utak ko."

Luna only laughed harder, clearly enjoying herself.
Then she leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm, her smile turning sly.

"Eh ikaw, may napupusuan ka ba sa Germany?" she asked, voice dripping with fake innocence.