Lunch continued slowly, without any sense of urgency, as if none of us were truly willing to disturb the warmth that had quietly settled over the room, wrapping itself around us in a way that felt both fragile and grounding at the same time.
We moved to the table, the quiet comfort from earlier still lingering between us, but now it felt lighter, easier, as plates were passed from hand to hand, small remarks gradually unfolding into fuller conversations, until before long the space was filled with soft laughter and overlapping voices, imperfect and unstructured in the way that only something real could ever be.
Nira, of course, carried most of the conversation without even trying, effortlessly jumping from one topic to another, drawing reactions out of everyone with an ease that felt entirely natural, while my mom listened with a soft attentiveness, occasionally adding something of her own, her tone relaxed in a way I hadn't heard in a very long time.
And Chak…
He was quieter, but never distant—always present in a way that didn't demand attention yet somehow held it anyway.
He responded when spoken to, listened far more than he spoke, but every now and then, his attention would shift toward me, lingering just a second longer than necessary, like a silent check, like something unspoken passing between us without ever needing words.
I noticed it every time.
Even when I pretended I didn't.
At some point, the conversation drifted into something lighter, something easier to hold onto, and my mom leaned back slightly in her chair, her gaze moving slowly around the room again, as if she wasn't just observing the space—
but absorbing it.
Absorbing us.
Then her eyes stopped.
Just slightly to the side.
In the living room.
"There," she said softly, her voice quiet but certain as she nodded toward it.
I followed her gaze.
And froze.
The photo.
Of course.
I hadn't even thought about it.
It sat framed on a low shelf, simple, almost understated, yet impossible to miss once your eyes found it.
Chak and me.
Captured in a moment that hadn't been posed or prepared, something unplanned, unguarded—
real.
My mom stood slowly, almost without realizing she had moved, drawn toward it with a quiet pull until she was standing right in front of it, her attention fully captured.
For a moment, she didn't say anything.
She just looked.
Really looked.
I felt something tighten in my chest as I stood as well, stepping a little closer, uncertainty settling in my thoughts as I wondered what she would say, what she would see in that single frozen moment.
Nira followed behind, curiosity written all over her face as she leaned slightly to peek over my mom's shoulder.
"…You look different here," my mom said quietly at last.
I let out a small breath, almost instinctively. "Different how?"
She didn't take her eyes off the photo.
"Happier."
The word landed softly.
But it sank deeper than anything else she could have said.
Her gaze shifted just slightly, studying the way Chak stood beside me in the picture, the subtle way our bodies leaned toward each other, natural and unforced, as if closeness had never been a question.
Then she turned her head, looking at him.
"You look at him the same way now," she added.
Chak didn't respond immediately.
He didn't need to.
Because she was right.
And we all knew it.
A small, knowing smile touched her lips before she looked back at the photo one last time.
"It suits you," she said gently.
And then she turned away, returning to the table as if, in that single quiet observation, everything that needed to be understood had already been said.
And somehow—
it had.
The moment softened once more as we returned to our seats, the conversation picking up where it had left off, but now carrying something quieter beneath it, something more settled, more certain.
For a while, everything felt easy again.
Then my mom placed her utensils down gently and looked at me, her expression calm but deliberate.
"We'll head back today," she said. "Nira and I."
I blinked, caught slightly off guard. "Today?"
She nodded once, as if the decision had already been made long before she spoke it out loud.
Before I could respond, Chak spoke, his tone even and controlled.
"How are you going?"
"By bus," my mom replied simply.
There was a brief pause.
Then Chak shook his head.
"No."
The word was calm—
but absolute.
My mom looked at him, a hint of surprise in her expression. "It's really fine—"
"I won't allow it," he interrupted, his voice still low, still steady, but leaving no room for negotiation. "My driver will take you."
She exhaled softly, shaking her head. "That's not necessary."
"It is," Chak said.
Unmoving.
Unwavering.
The air shifted slightly, tension threading through the space, not uncomfortable, but firm, like something that refused to bend.
I glanced between them before leaning slightly closer to my mom, my voice softening.
"Please," I said gently. "Just accept it."
She looked at me.
Then at him.
Then back at me again.
"…He won't let it go, will he?" she asked quietly.
A faint smile touched my lips. "No."
A small pause lingered between us before I added, a little softer—
"If you don't, he'll get upset."
That made her hesitate.
Just for a second.
And then—
a faint blush colored her cheeks, subtle but unmistakable.
She looked away briefly, almost shy, before letting out a quiet breath.
"…Alright," she said. "I accept."
Chak didn't say anything.
But I saw it.
That nearly imperceptible shift in him—
satisfaction.
And just like that—
it was decided.
The warmth lingered a little longer, but eventually my mom set her cup down and turned toward Chak again, her expression carrying a quiet intent.
"Could I speak with you? Alone."
The room stilled.
Chak didn't hesitate.
"Of course."
He stood, gesturing toward the hallway before leading her to the home office, the door closing softly behind them, leaving the rest of the house wrapped in a quieter kind of silence.
Nira turned to me immediately, curiosity shining in her eyes.
I exhaled, leaning back slightly.
"What do you think they're talking about?" I asked.
She shrugged, crossing her arms loosely.
"I don't know."
A small pause.
"But it's something important."
I nodded slowly.
It had to be.
Time passed differently in that silence—long enough for thoughts to grow heavier, not long enough to settle them.
Then the door opened.
They stepped out.
And the first thing I noticed—
was how calm they both looked.
Satisfied.
Like something had been quietly resolved.
Chak's gaze found mine for a brief moment before he spoke.
"We should go. We need to get back to work."
Just like that.
Back to reality.
We gathered our things, the moment shifting once again, softer now, already beginning to fade into something that would linger only in memory.
Goodbyes followed.
Warm.
Lingering just long enough to matter.
My mom hugged me first, then Chak again, quieter this time, but no less meaningful. Nira followed, lighter as always, yet holding on just a second longer than usual.
Then we stepped outside.
The car was already waiting.
Chak opened the door for them, making sure they were settled before moving to the driver's side.
The drive passed in a quiet kind of comfort.
When we reached my apartment, the car slowed to a stop.
My mom turned slightly before stepping out, her eyes meeting mine one last time.
"Take care," she said softly.
"I will."
She smiled faintly before stepping out with Nira, both of them waving once more before heading inside.
The door closed.
And just like that—
it was just us again.
Chak pulled the car back onto the road, the silence between us settling naturally.
Then I glanced at him, a small, almost amused breath slipping past my lips.
"You know you'll have to buy Phalin a bracelet now, right?" I said lightly. "Since you lied."
He didn't look surprised.
"I didn't lie," he replied calmly.
I raised an eyebrow. "You said it was for her."
He glanced at me briefly.
"And you made it believable."
A soft huff escaped me as I shook my head.
"You're unbelievable."
A small silence followed.
Then, quieter—
"Are you mad at me?"
The question slipped out before I could stop it.
He didn't answer right away.
His hands remained steady on the wheel, his gaze fixed ahead.
Then—
"I'm not mad at you, Niran."
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
But he continued.
"I'm angry," he said, his voice still calm, but heavier now, "because I have to choose between someone I love…"
A pause.
"…and someone I don't."
The words settled deep.
Something tightened in my chest—not confusion this time, but clarity.
And maybe—
fear.
The silence didn't last long after that.
Chak's hand left the steering wheel, reaching toward me, his fingers brushing lightly against my jaw, turning my face just enough before he leaned in.
The kiss was soft.
Gentle.
Unhurried.
Not demanding—just steady, grounding, like a quiet promise placed between us.
When he pulled back, his gaze lingered on mine, closer now, warmer.
"You can come into my office anytime," he said quietly. "Even without knocking."
Something tightened in my chest again.
But this time, I didn't hesitate.
"I love you."
The words came easily.
Honestly.
For a brief second, something shifted in his expression—subtle, but real.
Then I opened the door and stepped out, the outside world rushing back in as if nothing had happened.
But everything had.
I walked back inside, straightening slightly as I returned to my desk, slipping back into routine.
Amara and Non appeared almost immediately.
"How was it?" Amara asked, leaning casually against the desk.
Non stood beside her, just as curious.
"I'm fine," I said simply.
They both leaned closer at the same time, lowering their voices.
"Did you have lunch with your boyfriend?" Non asked, barely holding back a grin.
I didn't answer.
Just nodded.
That was enough.
They both giggled, exchanging knowing looks.
Then—
"What's so funny?"
Chak.
Serious.
Sharp.
They straightened instantly.
"Nothing," Amara said quickly.
"Nothing at all," Non added.
His gaze lingered on them for a moment.
"Then get back to work."
"Yes, sir."
They disappeared just as fast.
I lowered my gaze, trying not to smile.
A few minutes passed.
I tried to focus.
Failed.
My eyes drifted to his office.
Then back to my screen.
Then again.
You can come in anytime.
I stared for a moment longer.
Then stood.
Walked to the printer.
Printed a random page.
Picked it up.
Looked around.
No one watching.
I grabbed a pen—
and without thinking too much—
drew a small heart in the corner.
I stared at it.
"…This is stupid," I muttered.
But I didn't throw it away.
I turned—
"Going to get that signed by the boss?" Amara's teasing voice came from behind me.
I froze for half a second.
Then nodded. "Yeah."
She grinned and handed me a folder.
"Take these too."
I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"…You're enjoying this."
"Very much."
Of course she was.
I turned and walked toward Chak's office, my heartbeat just a little faster than it should have been.
Right before reaching the door, I slipped my page into the folder, hiding it between the documents.
I knocked once—
and stepped inside.
Chak looked up immediately.
Of course he did.
I walked over, placing the folder on his desk, keeping my expression neutral.
"For your signature," I said.
Then, just before stepping back, I added quietly—
"I want an answer."
A quick wink.
And before he could respond—
I turned and walked out.
As if nothing had happened.
As if I hadn't just left a heart behind.