Chapter Nineteen – The Friends Reunited
The afternoon sun leaned toward the horizon, scattering orange light across the glass panes as if bidding the day farewell with a tender touch. A gentle stillness settled over the house, broken only by the soft echo of footsteps against the polished floor:
Tap… tap… tap…
Rojin walked toward the door, her small bag slung over her shoulder, a warm smile still lingering on her lips from the hours spent with Selin.
Selin followed her with a light laugh.
— "So, you think you can get rid of me that easily?"
Rojin tilted her head in mock seriousness.
— "Yes. If I don't sneak out now, I might not make it out alive!"
But before her hand touched the doorknob, a short chime rang from their translucent device. The screen lit up, revealing familiar faces: Asia smiling softly, with Lila and Rashad waving cheerfully behind him.
Asia spoke in his calm voice:
— "Hello, little ones… Sorry we couldn't welcome you home, Selin. Something urgent came up outside the Tower, and we'll be gone for a while."
Lila raised her brows playfully and waved.
— "Stay inside, and don't even think about causing trouble. We'll be back later."
The screen went dark, leaving behind a brief silence.
Selin furrowed his brows for a moment, then chuckled dryly.
— "So everyone leaves the moment I return? They didn't even bother greeting me! How tragic, how heartbreaking…"
He lifted his gaze as though complaining to the ceiling, but then he caught Rojin's eyes. She was staring at him, her mouth half-open, an odd smile spreading across her face. A tiny giggle escaped her lips… then grew into a full, almost manic laugh, echoing through the room.
Selin instinctively stepped back, eyeing her with suspicion.
— "W–what's wrong with you?"
Rojin suddenly jumped with childish excitement.
— "Don't you see? This means I can stay with you even longer! Yaaay!"
She spun in circles with delight, like a child handed an unexpected prize.
Selin sighed in exasperation and slowly approached her, his tone dropping lower with each word until it grew serious.
— "But… do you know what else this means?"
Rojin tilted her head curiously.
— "What?"
A sly smile crept across Selin's lips.
— "It means you're trapped here with me… and I can finally take revenge for all those shameless things you did to me."
Rojin's eyes widened, her voice stumbling nervously.
— "W–wait, that was just a joke! Just harmless fun between friends… Nothing serious, right?"
Selin narrowed his eyes, repeating slowly.
— "A joke… so it was all just a joke?"
She nodded frantically.
— "Yes, yes! Purely innocent… totally innocent!"
Suddenly Selin lunged toward her.
— "Then let the game begin!"
Rojin shrieked.
— "Nooo!"
The two burst into a chaotic chase through the house. A glass toppled over in the kitchen, a vase shattered against the hallway wall, and one of them nearly tumbled on the stairs in a frantic escape. Laughter, muffled screams, and playful scuffles filled the air with a storm of childish mischief.
Then, without warning, the front door creaked open, the wood groaning against its hinges.
A hesitant step crossed the threshold. A soft voice whispered:
— "I'm home…"
Ayas stood at the entrance, his eyes sweeping across the room. And then—time froze for him. Rojin lay sprawled on the couch, with Selin above her, far too close for comfort.
His breath quickened, his eyes widening in shock.
— "S–Selin?!"
The two froze, their faces flushed, glances darting nervously away and back again.
Selin stammered in a shaky voice:
— "We were… just joking… right?"
Rojin nodded frantically.
— "Yes! Just a joke, nothing more!"
Ayas cleared his throat slowly, trying to break the heavy silence.
— "Ahem… So, when did you get back?"
Selin answered shyly.
— "Today… I wanted to surprise you."
A hesitant smile tugged at Ayas's lips, a mixture of astonishment and longing.
— "Well… you certainly did."
But Rojin suddenly erupted, her voice sharp with anger.
— "You idiot! Why did you cut off the call on me earlier? I was going to kill you!"
Ayas smirked slyly.
— "After this scene? I doubt you could do anything."
Selin burst into laughter despite her embarrassment, while Rojin swung at Ayas in outrage—only for him to dodge easily, catching her wrist.
He snapped sharply.
— "Stop it, you pervert! I've been drowning in double chores all day. I'm exhausted, and I don't have time for your childish antics."
Selin intervened with a gentle reproach.
— "Don't be so harsh on her, Ayas… She was worried about you."
Ayas grinned mischievously.
— "Alright then… Rojin, go lie down on the bed. I'll come later after I shower."
Rojin and Selin exchanged baffled looks. Selin asked nervously:
— "What do you mean?"
Ayas smirked.
— "Didn't you ask me to be nice to her? And I remembered your little game earlier… so I thought, why not do the same, since you both seemed to enjoy it?"
The girls' cheeks flared crimson. Rojin shouted.
— "And you call me the pervert? You idiot!"
Their bickering reignited—until the sound of footsteps echoed from outside.
Step… step…
Then a familiar voice rang out:
— "Ayas! Where are you?"
All eyes turned toward the door, which creaked open again to reveal Saman's face. He stepped inside, puzzled.
— "What's all this noise?"
But his gaze fell on Selin, and surprise lit his expression.
— "Selin? When did you return?"
She replied briefly.
— "Today."
Ayas stepped in with a smile.
— "Come on in, man. Don't stand there like a statue. Let's sit."
The atmosphere slowly eased as Saman joined them, while the sunlight melted into the shadows of evening—like the night itself had paused to listen to their laughter.
— End of Chapter Nineteen —