It's been two weeks. Rafa hasn't contacted me once. I feel like there's this weight in my chest, something I can’t quite figure out. Maybe it’s because of all these mixed feelings swirling inside me.

But why did she confess after rejecting me?

We both have smartphones, and yet, she hasn't even sent a message. I feel... sad, I guess. I know she's busy studying, just like me—our finals are coming up fast. But still.

No one else knows about our phones, not even our families. The PGs (paying guest accommodations) where we live don’t allow 16-year-olds to have smartphones, but everyone does it anyway. It’s not like it’s a crime.

Suddenly, I hear my name.

"Azer, stop daydreaming and answer the question!" the teacher snaps, giving me a disappointed look.

I blink, snapping back to reality. Everyone in the room is staring at me. ‘Great, now I look like an idiot,’ I think, trying to pull myself together.

'Sorry, ma'am. I was just a bit tense... my uncle had a stroke, and he's still recovering slowly,' I reply, putting on a somber face, hoping it’ll distract her.

The teacher's expression softens immediately. "Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Azer. But you still need to focus on your studies. Now, pay attention, okay?"

I nod, relieved as she turns back to the board.

(Lunch break)

“That was a smooth one, dude,” Rick laughs, clapping me on the back. “You fooled her so easily! The way you acted so serious, you could be in the movies!”

‘I wasn’t acting. My uncle really is ill,’ I say, frowning.

“That’s famtax of you to say that!” Nisha chimes in, grinning.

‘Where the hell did you learn that word, Nisha? It’s sooo cringe.’

“She thinks using words like that will help her get a boyfriend,” Rick adds, smirking. “Like she’s trying to be some modern Gen Z influencer.”

“Wanna die, b*tch?!” Nisha glares, kicking his leg under the table. “And you’re one to talk, Mr. ‘15 ex-girlfriends’!”

‘I even know all their names,’ I add, rolling my eyes.

“Hey, I’m not a playboy,” Rick protests, putting on a fake offended look. “I’m just a flirty boy who girls fall for in about four weeks. That’s a skill, man.”

‘Yuck, that left a bad taste in my mouth,’ I grimace. ‘How can you even think about yourself like that?’

“You guys are just jealous of my charm,” Rick says, puffing out his chest with mock pride.

Nisha and I exchange a look before bursting out laughing. This guy will never change.

___

Later that night, after pretending to study for hours, I finally sit back in my chair. My phone buzzes, and I glance at the screen—Rafa’s name flashes. A mix of emotions floods me, but I try to stay cool as I pick up.

“Hey,” I say, trying to sound casual.

“Hey,” she replies softly. “How are you doing?”

I hesitate before answering. ‘You know… trying to keep up with school. You?’

“Same. School’s a mess, but I’m managing,” she sighs, and her voice seems lighter now.

“I was thinking about you. I… wanted to call sooner, but things have been crazy.”

‘It’s okay,’ I reply.

‘We’ve both got finals coming up.’

“Yeah, but I should’ve called,” she says, her tone a little quieter.

“Especially after everything… You know, with Dad.”

Hearing her mention it makes the air feel heavier. I’m reminded of her father—my uncle—still recovering slowly and is in bedrest.

‘How’s he doing?’ I ask softly.

“He’s… better, I think,” she says, her voice faltering slightly.

“The doctors said he’s improving, but it’s going to take time. I just wish I could be there more often.”

‘I know. It’s tough being away,’ I agree, feeling the same weight. ‘But he’ll be okay. He’s strong.’

“Yeah,”

she pauses, then adds with a hint of a smile in her voice,

“But I’m not calling to talk about sad stuff. I actually wanted to hear how you’re doing… besides school.”

I chuckle softly, feeling the tension ease.

‘You know, just trying not to lose my mind over assignments. Rick and Nisha keep things interesting, though. Rick’s still being… well, Rick.’

She laughs at that. “Yeah, I can imagine. How many exes does he claim to have now?”

‘Fifteen,’ I say, rolling my eyes. ‘He’s on a roll.’

Her laughter makes me smile, and for a moment, it feels like everything is back to normal.

“Honestly, though,” she says, her voice turning softer again, “I’m glad we’re talking. I missed this.”

My heart skips a beat. ‘I missed it too,’ I admit.

There’s a brief pause, and then she changes the subject with a lighter tone.

“Remember that time we tried to sneak into the kitchen and ended up burning the toast? And your dad scolded us for wasting bread?”

I laugh, recalling the memory. ‘Yeah, he was so mad. We were terrible at that.’

“We were,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “But we had fun.”

‘We did,’

I agree, leaning back in my chair.

‘I kinda miss those days.’

“Me too,” she says softly.

“But I guess we’re supposed to be more grown-up now, right?”

‘I guess,’

I say, though I don’t feel very grown-up at all.

She falls quiet for a moment, then asks,

“Azer, do you think about… us? About what’s going to happen next?”

I pause, my heart pounding. ‘Yeah,’ I say, trying to choose my words carefully.

‘I think about it sometimes. But I’m not sure what’s next… We’ll just have to see, won’t we?’

“Yeah, I guess we will,” she says, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty.

' Don't bite your lips.'

"How did you know", Rafa speaks with an embarrassment tone.

'Well, I don't know my mind just said those words out loud. But maybe because we both remember that night, and maybe want one more.'

I said that, and I'm embarrassed to dig out a hole and stay there, my heart is pounding, I don't know what she'll reply. Why did I say that?

There's a brief silence after I say it, and I start regretting my words. Then, Rafa's voice comes through, soft and a little embarrassed.

"Well... I wasn’t biting my lips, but... maybe I was thinking about that too."

Her voice is quieter now, like she’s hiding behind her words. My heart skips a beat—did she just admit it?

I’m not sure what to say, but she quickly adds, “But... I didn’t think you’d actually say that out loud, you dummy!”

We both are so embarrassed to speak. This feeling, Yes this is the feeling we wanted to experience. I wish she was beside me and we could hold hands and talk together. Well, this is the dream I don't want to end.

After a moment, she broke the silence between us,

“Anyway, you better get some sleep. Don’t let Rick keep you up all night with his stories.”

‘I won’t,’

I laugh. ‘But you should sleep too. You’ve got enough on your plate without pulling all-nighters.’

“True,” she agrees with a soft laugh.

“Goodnight, Azer.”

‘Goodnight, Rafa,’ I say, holding on to the sound of her voice even after the call ends.

I put my phone down, my thoughts swirling as I lie in bed. There’s something about hearing from her that calms me and confuses me at the same time. But for tonight, I decide not to dwell on it too much. I close my eyes, letting the memory of her laugh carry me to sleep.