Left with just the two of them, the air seems to freeze for a moment.
However, that didn't last for long.
Jay approached Ley and sat down on the sofa beside her.
"How about you, Ley? How are you feeling now?"
"I've noticed that you've been silent since we left the mall."
Ley raised her head and looked at Jay.
The eyes of the two of them directly met and the two of them became quiet.
They didn't shy away from looking at each other.
Instead, they are just taking in the moment with just the two of them.
After a while, Ley finally dropped her head and looked at her hands.
"... I don't know what to feel, Jay…"
"Right now, I still feel anxious. Just like what auntie said, I don't think I'll be able to step outside the same way I did before…"
"Ley…"
Jay stares at Ley with concern, but he doesn't know how he can comfort her.
After thinking for a second, Jay suddenly moved closer to Ley and gave her a hug.
Ley was startled by the sudden hug, but didn't reject it.
The warmth of Jay covered her and her body seemed to relax and found a sense of security.
Ley can't help but close her eyes and enjoy the warmth coming from Jay.
Jay's gentle voice drifted to her ears, saying words of comfort.
"It's okay."
"I know that what we experienced was something that is hard to forget."
"It was something that might even put trauma to all of us. That's why it's understandable if you feel that way."
Pausing for a moment, Jay continued,
"Right now, I know there's no way that your fear would be extinguished immediately. So, if you ever need someone, you can always have me."
"I will accompany you and protect you if necessary. You just have to tell me, okay?"
This time, it's not only Ley's body that is experiencing warmth. Her heart is much more overflowing with it after hearing Jay's words.
For a while, the two remained in place with a peaceful silence in their surroundings.
After a couple of minutes passed with them like that, Jay looked down to Ley and asked,
"Are you feeling better now?"
Hearing him ask, Ley gently separated herself from him while nodding.
"Um… thanks."
A smile appeared on Jay's lips, he playfully said,
"What are you even thanking me for? Don't be like a stranger now. Hahaha."
Ley rolled her eyes at him, but the smile on her face couldn't be hidden.
…
"So, what are you going to do now?" Jay asked.
"I already messaged my mom. She said she'll pick me up here."
Ley answered while tinkering with her phone.
Jay nodded at her words.
Standing up, Jay took a pitcher of water from the refrigerator and poured some on a glass.
Then he came back to Ley and handed it to her.
"Here, have some water first. Your nerves must have been tense from before, it's good to have a drink even if just a little."
"Thank you."
Ley received it and took a sip.
While she's drinking water, her eyes can't help but fall into Jay's shoulder where some bandage could be seen peeking out of his clothes.
Putting down the glass of water in her hands, Ley looked straight into Jay's eyes.
"How are you feeling now, Jay?"
Jay already noticed Ley's eyes on his shoulder and said,
"Oh, well, I'm feeling pretty good now, I guess?"
As he said that, Jay even tried stretching his arms, only to feel pain on his shoulders.
"Hisss! Ouch, that hurts!"
Looking at him being energetic, a smile appeared on Ley's lips and she let out a light chuckle.
"Hahaha, what are you even doing!"
In response, Jay just smiled at her without saying anything.
Actually, what Ley wanted to know wasn't Jay's feelings in the physical aspect, but more on the emotional side.
Jay asked everyone about their feelings, but he didn't really talk about his own emotions the whole time.
But after he answered, Ley couldn't bring herself to ask him about it again.
The two of them chatted for a while, talking about things that happened in their lives recently.
And just like that, time passed by.
Knock knock knock!
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door attracting the attention of the two.
"Wait, let me take a look at who it is."
Jay stood up, walked up to the door, and opened it to take a look.
"Ah, so it's you, auntie!"
When Jay saw the person outside the door, he saw Ley's mother and smiled.
Seeing Jay, Ley's mother, Gina, also smiled.
"Hello Jay, is Ley here?"
"Yes, auntie. Please come inside."
Jay moved to the side and let Gina come in.
Thanking Jay, Gina took off her sandals and entered the house.
Once she's inside, she saw her daughter sitting on the wooden sofa, looking at her phone.
"Daughter!"
Hearing the familiar voice, Ley immediately looked at Gina.
"Mom!"
Ley got up from her seat, ran towards her mother, and hugged her tightly like a child.
Immediately, tears welled up Ley's eyes and she cried in her mother's arms.
Seeing her daughter crying, Gina caressed her daughter's hair.
"Shhh, it's okay, my dear. It's okay…"
Ley continued crying, pouring out the emotions in her heart to her mother.
Jay on the side looked away and remained at the doorstep for a while to give them some time.
After a while, when he noticed that Ley stopped crying, Jay came forward.
"Auntie, come and take a seat."
At this time, Ley is still wiping away the tears in her eyes.
So, hearing Jay's voice, she bowed her head, feeling embarrassed for crying.
As for Gina, she shook her head and said, "No need, Jay. We still have to go back immediately. We won't stay any longer."
"Ah, is that so, Auntie? Would you like to drink some water first?"
"No, no, it's okay."
Hearing that, Jay nodded in understanding.
"Hmm, then please let me accompany you out at least."
Jay didn't wait for them to respond and took the lead going outside.
Seeing that, Gina didn't decline anymore.
The mother and daughter went out of the house with Jay leading the way for the two of them.