That afternoon, the house felt quiet. A gentle breeze from the open window crept in, making Kirana's bedroom curtains flutter weakly. Kirana was intently working on her laptop, wearing a headset and typing quickly, occasionally tidying up the notes scattered on the floor.
But the tranquility didn't last long.
CRACK!
The door to her room was flung open—without knocking, without asking.
Raka (shouting): "Can I borrow your iPhone charger?"
Kirana immediately took off her headset.
Kirana: "Raka! Could you knock first?!"
Raka just walked in, completely indifferent, carrying his phone, which had only 3% battery left. He immediately sat down on the bed, lying down as usual.
Raka (smiles mischievously): "It's your own house. Why make things complicated?"
Kirana: "Well, you're not a baby. You're a grown man, do you understand manners?"
Raka (laughing): "He's big... but he still needs your attention, pretty sister."
Kirana glared at him, throwing a small pillow at him.
Kirana: "Get out, Rak. I'm concentrating."
Raka (pretending to be surprised): "Huh? Concentrating? Sorry, I thought you were watching a Korean drama. Your expression looks like you're feeling emotional."
Kirana: "Can you shut up?"
Raka (grabs pillow and hugs him): "I can't. Because if I keep quiet, I'll keep thinking about you."
Kirana wanted to get angry... but failed. Part of her was amused by her stepsister's corny sweet talk. But still, she had to focus.
Kirana: "The charger is on the corner table. After that, I'll go out."
Raka grabbed the charger, but didn't leave. Instead, he turned on his phone to play loud music: a really loud EDM song.
Kirana (screaming): "RAKA!"
Raka (laughing out loud): "Just keep your spirits up! You said you needed motivation!"
Kirana stood up from her seat and headed straight for Raka. She roughly pulled the charger cable from his hand.
Kirana (annoyed): "Okay. Take this. But get out now or I'll report it to your dad!"
Raka (still relaxed): "Our dad."
Kirana: "RAKAAA!"
Raka finally stood up, pretending to be obedient as he slowly walked out. But before closing the door, he lowered his head slightly and said in a serious voice:
Raka: "Hey, by the way... you still have a pretty face when you're angry, you know."
Kirana (snorting): "That's so cheap."
The door closed. There was silence again. Kirana stood in front of her laptop, trying to regain focus, but… she couldn't hold back a small smile.
---
An hour later.
Kirana had just entered full focus mode when suddenly—again.
Knock knock knock...
But instead of waiting, Raka came straight in with two glasses of cold teh tarik (pulled tea).
Raka: "Kirana's mom said you haven't had lunch yet. Here, I'll make you something to drink."
Kirana turned, surprised.
Kirana: "You… made it?"
Raka (offering the glass): "Well, the tea is instant, but I boiled the water myself. Then I let it cool in the fridge for fifteen minutes. I'm not kidding, Sis."
Kirana paused, then slowly took the glass.
Kirana: "Thanks..."
Raka (smiling happily): "That's it. Don't be so grumpy."
Kirana sat back down and sipped the teh tarik. As she typed, her eyes occasionally glanced at Raka, who was still standing near the door.
Kirana: "But you're still annoying."
Raka: "But the annoyance is sweet, right?"
Kirana: "Depends on my mood."
Raka (grinning): "Okay then. Then I'll bother you again this afternoon. Prepare yourself mentally, okay?"
Kirana (sighing): "Annoying."
But as soon as Raka left, and the door was completely closed, Kirana looked down at the glass of teh tarik in her hand. The smile returned. Her previously irritated heart suddenly felt warm.
Kirana (in her head): Noisy, but... this kid is also attentive.
Kirana slowly closed her laptop. The lecture material she had just been working on seemed to have gone nowhere. Her focus was broken, not by the assignment, but by the annoying high school kid who had been intruding into her personal space too often lately.
Kirana (whispering softly): "Really... noisy but so annoying."
Just as Kirana was taking a deep breath and about to rest, suddenly another voice came from outside…
Raka (shouting from behind the door): "Hey, Sis! Do you like listening to mellow music?"
Kirana frowned.
Kirana: "What's wrong, Rak?!"
Without permission, the door opened—again. Raka appeared, carrying a small speaker.
Raka: "I just found a sad playlist on TikTok. I think it's perfect for you to listen to while doing your homework."
Kirana (glaring): "Raka! I need peace, not a dangdut concert!"
Raka: "This isn't dangdut, sis. This is a mellow, romantic song. Perfect for you, who sometimes has a stern face but a soft heart."
Kirana: "Get out now, Rak!"
Raka (entering slowly, playing a slow song): "Relax... it's just one song. If you don't like it, I promise I'll leave."
The speaker began playing a mellow acoustic song. The sound was quite low and soothing. Raka sat in the corner of the bed, silent, not disturbing, not speaking. Just listening.
Kirana stared at him from behind her laptop. Confused.
Kirana (lowly): "Tumben's not fussy."
Raka (smiling faintly): "Sometimes, talkative people can also keep quiet. Just accompany them."
Kirana: "What are you trying to..."
But she didn't chase him away. Instead, she listened to his song. Secretly. Deep down, she began to realize: Raka might only be a high school kid, but he knew how to make someone feel... less alone.
---
Later that afternoon.
Kirana went down to the kitchen to get a snack. But how shocked she was to see Raka standing there, a pink apron hanging around his neck, and a small frying pan on the stove.
Kirana: "Are you... cooking?"
Raka (looking away casually): "Not really. I was just making nuggets."
Kirana: "See... I thought you were learning to be a househusband."
Raka: "If you marry me, I'll learn."
Kirana (immediately throwing a tissue at Raka): "NOT FUNNY!"
Raka (laughing loudly): "LOL, just kidding, bro. But if you're serious... I'm ready too, you know."
Kirana could only shake her head as she got a drink of water. But her heart was beating faster than usual. She knew it was just a joke. But why did it feel... like there was a hint of sincerity behind Raka's words?
---
Nighttime.
Kirana was watching YouTube in her room. Suddenly... a soft knock on the door. Soft, three times.
Knock... knock... knock...
Kirana: "What else is there, Rak..."
Raka (from outside): "Can I come in?"
Kirana: "What for?"
Raka: "I don't know... I want to talk."
Kirana sighed, but wasn't angry. She stood up, opened the door, and saw Raka standing there in an oversized hoodie and messy hair. His face wasn't as mischievous as usual.
Kirana: "That's unusual. You look serious."
Raka (entering slowly): "Can't sleep. I just want to hear you nag."
Kirana (smiles softly): "I'm not a nagging machine, you know."
Raka (sitting on the floor, leaning against the mattress): "But your voice is… so soothing. Even when you're angry."
Kirana sat in her study chair, staring at Raka, who seemed calmer than usual this time. Maybe… he wasn't making a fuss just to annoy her. Maybe Raka just wanted to be close.
Kirana: "Rak… why do you like bothering me so much?"
Raka (staring straight at her): "Because… you're different. You never ignore me like other people. You're fierce, but you care."
Kirana: "I care because you're my stepsister."
Raka (quietly): "Yes. But you're also the first person to make me feel… like I want to go home."
Kirana stared at him. This time, her heart couldn't hide. Raka's words sounded completely honest. Not sweet talk, not a joke.
Kirana: "You're weird."
Raka (smiles faintly): "But you're not kicking me out, are you?"
Kirana sighed. A long time.
Kirana: "Tomorrow, if I'm busy with college, can you please not disturb me?"
Raka (raises hand): "Promise. I'll only disturb you when you're free."
Kirana (smiles slightly): "Deal."
And that night, for the first time, they sat together in that room without any noise. No disturbances. There was only soft music playing from the small speakers and light conversation… about life, school, college, and their respective dreams.
And without them realizing it, the distance that had once been just one floor of the house… now felt much closer. Maybe even too close.