The afternoon sunlight filtered through the living room curtains, casting soft golden shadows across the floor. The television played some random action movie Raka had barely been paying attention to. What really had his focus was the sound of Kirana's soft footsteps coming from the hallway.
"Kak Kirana!" Raka called, patting the space next to him on the couch. "Come on, watch with me. It's boring if I sit alone."
From the kitchen, Kirana peeked her head out, holding a glass of water. "You always say that when you want to steal the remote."
Raka grinned. "Maybe. Or maybe I just want your company."
Kirana rolled her eyes but walked over anyway, her long hair tied in a loose ponytail, and her casual housewear—an oversized t-shirt and cotton shorts—made her look effortlessly beautiful. She settled on the other end of the couch, crossing her legs.
"Fine. But no lame movies, please."
Raka raised his brows. "Excuse me, this is a classic."
"Classic or not," Kirana said, stealing the remote, "I'm skipping to something decent."
"Hey!" Raka reached across to grab the remote back.
"Nope," Kirana laughed, holding it out of his reach. "Not happening."
In his playful effort to grab the remote, Raka lunged closer. His hand accidentally landed on Kirana's thigh—not in an inappropriate way, but it stayed there a second too long. The softness of her skin under his palm made time stretch unnaturally.
Kirana froze. Her laughter died down, and the teasing glint in her eyes was replaced by something sharper—curious, unreadable.
Raka quickly pulled his hand back. "S-Sorry," he muttered, suddenly all too aware of the silence.
Kirana didn't move away. Instead, she stared at him for a second longer than necessary, her lips slightly parted like she wanted to say something. Then she glanced away and turned back to the TV.
"You're getting bold these days," she said quietly, her tone unreadable.
Raka laughed nervously. "Wasn't on purpose. I swear."
Kirana didn't reply. But she didn't look angry either.
They sat in silence for a while, the movie playing but ignored. Raka shifted in his seat, unsure whether he should speak or just let the tension pass.
Then Kirana spoke again, her eyes still on the screen. "You're not a kid anymore, huh?"
Raka looked at her, surprised by the comment. "You just realized?"
Her lips twitched at the corners. "I guess I did."
The air between them wasn't awkward, but it had changed. Sharpened. There was something unsaid hanging between them now. Raka leaned back into the couch, trying to seem relaxed, but his thoughts were anything but.
"I used to think you were just a hyper little brother," Kirana added after a pause.
"And now?"
Kirana glanced at him. "Now I don't know what to think."
Raka didn't answer. He didn't have to.
The silence that followed was thick but not uncomfortable. It was like they were both realizing something at the same time—but neither of them dared say it out loud.
Later, when Kirana got up to head back to her room, she didn't look back. But before disappearing down the hall, she said one thing:
"Don't let that hand wander next time, okay?"
Raka's face turned red. "I said it was an accident!"
"I know," Kirana replied, smiling just enough to confuse him further. "But still."
Then she was gone, leaving Raka alone on the couch, staring at the paused TV screen, wondering what just happened.