It wasn't too late. The air in the house felt damp after the heavy rain that had stopped an hour ago. Raka, as usual, couldn't sleep again. But this time, it wasn't because of homework, nor was it because of YouTube or games...
His thoughts kept wandering to one name: Kirana.
He walked slowly down the upstairs hallway. The bathroom light was on. From the sound of the rushing water, he knew... Kirana was taking a shower.
For some reason, his steps automatically stopped. Raka stood about two meters from the bathroom door. He didn't mean to peek, just... waiting. Just for fun.
Raka (grumbling to himself):
"Why am I standing here? It's rude, Rak. But... I'm curious..."
He glanced at the clock. It was almost nine o'clock. The house was very quiet. Their parents had already gone into their bedroom after watching TV.
Raka sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. He took a deep breath. His head was leaning back. But his eyes remained fixed on the white door at the end of the hallway.
The sound of the water stopped.
Raka's heart immediately started pounding.
Raka (hissing softly):
"Oh my... really?"
Seconds later, the doorknob moved. The door opened slowly, and Kirana emerged... with only a large towel wrapped around her body. Her hair was still wet and dripping, her skin slightly reddish from the warm water.
And... their eyes met.
Kirana was startled for a moment. She reflexively covered her chest with her hands, even though the towel was enough to cover her body. Raka? She could only stare blankly.
Kirana (quickly): "RAKA! What are you doing here?!"
Raka (stuttering): "Eh... I... I was just passing by…"
Kirana (still shocked but smiling amusedly): "Just passing by, why are you sitting on the floor?"
Raka (scratching his head): "I'm tired, Sis... I walked from the kitchen."
Kirana (shaking her head slowly): "What are you doing... what time is it?"
Raka (grinning): "This hour... it's the time for that insomniac kid to be wandering around the house."
Kirana sighed softly. But instead of getting angry, she actually held back her laughter. Then she quickly walked to her room.
Kirana (walking quickly): "Next time, tell me if you want to meet, instead of waiting in front of the bathroom!"
Raka (shouting softly): "I wasn't waiting, Sis! I was just... just in case you fell in the bathroom!"
Kirana (from behind her bedroom door): "Heh! You're really determined, you overslept hero!"
Raka smiled to himself. His eyes were still stuck on Kirana's face—wet, a bit shocked, but still... cute.
He stood up, still grinning. The moment was brief, but it made his heart race for a long time. And... for the first time, Kirana wasn't angry. Instead, she chuckled.
Raka (talking to himself):
"She's not angry... she's smiling... Oh my God, Raka... you're overthinking things... but why are you so happy?"
He returned to his room. This time, his head was full of imagination and a strange, inexplicable feeling.
The next morning, the house was back to normal. Kirana's mother was busy in the kitchen, and Raka's father had already left for work at dawn. Raka still didn't feel like getting up. But the sound of Kirana's bedroom door opening softly brought him awake.
Raka (grumbling softly):
"Ah, I'm still thinking about it this early in the morning…"
He sat on the bed, his eyes peeking through the gap in his bedroom door, which wasn't closed tightly. Kirana slowly walked out of the room, dressed casually: shorts, an oversized hoodie, her hair tied up haphazardly. But she still looked incredibly beautiful.
Raka hurried out of the room as well, pretending to be looking for sandals.
Raka: "Sis, is breakfast ready yet?"
Kirana (turns around, a little surprised): "Huh? You haven't showered yet?"
Raka: "Not yet. But... you can eat first."
Kirana (raising an eyebrow): "Then sit down, I'll get it."
Raka sat at the dining table. Kirana went into the kitchen briefly, then came out carrying two plates of fried rice made by her mother. As they set the plates down, their hands touched slightly.
Raka (reflexively): "Eh... sorry..."
Kirana (smiles slightly): "It's okay."
They ate together, in a strange silence. Not awkward, but... like something was still unfinished from last night.
Raka (pretending to be relaxed): "Sis, last night... are you really not angry?"
Kirana (glances, then chews slowly): "Do you think I should be angry?"
Raka (shrugging): "Yeah... I don't know. I just suddenly showed up... and... you... just... just after taking a shower..."
Kirana (putting down the spoon, then looking at him): "Raka."
Raka: "Yes?"
Kirana (gently): "I'm not the type to get angry easily. But you have to know your limits. We live in the same house, and... well, we have to look out for each other."
Raka (nodding slowly): "Yeah. Sorry, Sis."
Kirana (smiling softly): "But you're cute, though. Sitting quietly in front of the bathroom like a lost child."
Raka (chuckles): "Wow, that's so true."
Kirana (laughing too): "But don't do it again. It's scary."
The atmosphere lightened again. After breakfast, Kirana went upstairs to her room with her laptop. Raka followed later, this time knocking first.
Raka: "Sis, can I come in?"
Kirana (from inside): "What are you doing?"
Raka: "I want to use the Wi-Fi... my room's signal is bad."
Kirana (sighs, then opens the door): "Hurry up, don't disturb me."
Raka came in with a grin. He sat on the floor near the bed and opened his laptop. But he stole glances at Kirana, who was intently typing away at her assignment.
They were silent for the first few minutes. But then...
Raka: "Sis... that night..."
Kirana (without looking up): "What?"
Raka: "I was really nervous. Because you came out of the bathroom... that's it."
Kirana (stops typing, then looks at him): "So what? Do you want to see it again?"
Raka (blushing): "Eh, no... I mean... yeah... I'm just surprised you're so calm."
Kirana (smiles crookedly): "I'm used to being teased by guys, Rak. But I'm not used to being teased by my own sister."
Raka: "But... we're not biological sisters."
Kirana (looks at him for a long moment, then goes back to typing): "Still. That's no excuse to act like you want."
Raka (quietly): "But... I can't lie either, Sis. I like looking at you..."
Kirana stopped typing again. Her gaze was sharp, but also... uncertain.
Kirana (quietly): "Be careful, Rak. Feelings like that can confuse you."
Raka: "I'm not confused. I just... don't know what to do."
Kirana didn't answer. She took a deep breath, then stood up and went to the window. It had started to rain again. A light drizzle wet the glass.
Kirana: "You know what, Rak? Sometimes I'm confused too."
Raka: "Confused about what?"
Kirana: "About... why I can't get mad at you. Even though you're so annoying."
Raka (smiles): "Maybe it's because I'm charming?"
Kirana (turns her head, stares intently): "Or maybe it's because you know my weakness."
They looked at each other for a moment. The atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
Suddenly, Kirana's phone rang. The ringtone was from her mother. She immediately answered.
Kirana (on the phone): "Hello, Mom? ...Yes, with Raka... in the room... Yes, he's bothering me as usual... Hahaha, yes... Okay, be careful, Mom."
The call ended. Kirana turned and looked at Raka, who immediately pretended to be busy with his laptop.
Kirana (sitting down again): "We have to be really careful, Rak. Don't let Mom or Dad pick up any strange signals from us."
Raka (quietly): "I understand, Sis."
After last night's incident, the house felt a little... different this morning.
Raka sat at the dining table, stirring his cereal. His eyes occasionally glanced toward the stairs. Usually, Kirana would be downstairs with her laptop by this time, looking for a quiet spot to work on her assignments. But by the time the cereal was almost finished, Kirana was still nowhere to be seen.
Raka (grumbling softly):
"Maybe she's upset because of what happened last night..."
His mind immediately flashed back to that moment. Kirana's face when she saw him sitting in front of the bathroom—surprised but not angry. And her small smile as she hurried into the room...
That smile remains etched in Raka's mind to this day.
He stood up, took the bowl to the sink. But instead of returning to the room, he went upstairs. Hesitating. Should he make small talk, ask about his homework, or... well, just look at her.
Kirana's door was slightly ajar.
Raka (thinking):
"Didn't she lock the door? It's usually tightly closed..."
He knocked softly.
Raka: "Kirana... are you awake?"
No answer.
Raka: "I... just wanted to return the charger from last night..."
Still no answer.
Hesitantly, Raka pushed the door open. Kirana was sitting on the floor, leaning against the bed with headphones in her ears. His laptop was open in front of him. He looked completely focused.
Raka entered slowly.
Raka (whispering): "Ah... no wonder I didn't hear."
He put the charger on the small table near the bed, then turned around again. Kirana only noticed his presence a few seconds later.
Kirana (shocked, taking off her headphones): "Huh! Raka! You just came in?!"
Raka (raising his hand): "I swear, I knocked. You didn't even hear…"
Kirana (squinting): "Yeah, yeah. That's why you were sitting in front of the bathroom last night, right?"
Raka immediately felt awkward.
Raka: "Hehe... that... I was a bit unclear…"
Kirana stared at him, but not angrily. More with a confused and curious expression.
Kirana: "Raka... what's been up with you lately? You've been looking for me a lot."
Raka (grinning, pretending to be indifferent): "Well... the house has been so crowded since Kirana moved in. So I wanted to... join in the fun."
Kirana (slowly, but sharply): "Or do you just like bothering me?"
Raka: "...Maybe both."
Kirana laughed softly. She stood up and reached for her drink on the table. Her hair was still half-damp, her t-shirt was too big, and her shorts reached her knees. Raka reflexively looked away. For some reason... Kirana looked... different this morning.
Kirana: "Honestly, Rak... I used to be scared of living in a house with someone new."
Raka (staring at her): "Me too. I thought it would be really weird. But it turned out... it was fun."
Kirana (taking a breath): "It's just... sometimes you make me lose focus."
Raka (smiling mischievously): "Then I succeeded, then."
Kirana stared at him for a moment. Then she sat back down, this time on the edge of the bed.
Kirana: "But seriously. Raka... you know your limits, right? I mean, I don't want us to be awkward or... overlook something that could cause problems."
Raka sat down on the floor near the bed.
Raka (more quietly): "I understand, Sis. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. Really."
Kirana (lowering her head): "I'm confused sometimes too... because you're... annoying, but..."
Raka (raising an eyebrow): "But?"
Kirana (smile faintly): "You're funny sometimes."
They stared at each other. Awkward. Silence.
Suddenly, the sound of the front door opening came from downstairs—their parents had returned from the market. Raka immediately stood up reflexively.
Raka: "Okay, I'll... unplug now. I put the charger away!"
Kirana: "Okay... thanks..."
Raka left quickly, but his smile couldn't be hidden. His heart felt lighter. Despite his initial awkwardness, Kirana... responded differently. She didn't chase him away, didn't yell at him. Instead, they chatted quietly, and... there was that little laugh again.
Downstairs, Kirana stared at the now-closed bedroom door.
Kirana (whispering to herself):
"You brat... but why is it getting harder and harder to avoid him?"