It was Friday night. They were sitting at a coffee shop after work a habit now. Not a date. Not officially. But the barista already knew their order by heart.
Nayla stirred her latte slowly, watching the foam dissolve in lazy circles. Raka sat across from her, elbows on the table, chin resting on his palm, like he was studying a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.
"You know," he said, eyes not leaving her, "sometimes I think we're from two different planets."
She looked up. "Because I'm quiet?"
"Because you're thoughtful. Deliberate. I speak before I think. You think before you speak."
A faint smile touched her lips. "And yet, we still meet in the middle."
"Exactly."
There was a pause. A beat of silence filled only by the low hum of conversation and clinking cups.
Raka cleared his throat. "Can I ask something?"
She nodded.
"Do you ever… want to be more than just friends?"
Her spoon paused mid-stir. The swirl of foam stilled. She didn't look up.
"I…" she began, voice small. "I don't know what I am to you."
"You're someone I look for in a room," he said softly. "Even when I don't mean to."
She stared at him, half-uncertain, half-afraid to believe.
He didn't push. "You don't have to answer now. Or ever. I just wanted you to know."
She looked down, heart pounding in the quiet. The words stayed caught in her throat. But the warmth in her eyes said what her voice couldn't, at least for now.
The bus was more crowded than usual.
Nayla stepped in, scanning for an empty seat. None except one besides Raka.
He patted it with exaggerated flair. "Your throne, milady."
She rolled her eyes but sat. Their arms always brushed too close to him, yet never uncomfortable.
"You always take this bus?" she asked.
"Only on Fridays."
"Coincidence."
"Fate."
That word lingered like dust caught in late sunlight.
She turned to the window, feeling his gaze rest gently on her.
"I like sitting beside you," he said, almost too softly.
She glanced at him. "Why?"
"You make the world feel less loud."
For someone so loud himself, he sure loved the quiet she brought.
She smiled a real, open smile. And when her head tilted slightly toward his shoulder, he didn't move.
He just let her be.