The evening sky was painted in soft shades of orange as Azaan and Viki finally reached Viki’s house. The air between them felt calm, yet strangely heavy with emotions neither of them understood yet.

Viki unlocked the door quietly and stepped inside first. Azaan followed behind him, carefully looking around the warm little house. It was simple, peaceful, and somehow it felt exactly like Viki himself.

Without saying much, Viki bent down near the shoe rack and took out a pair of soft home slippers.

“You can wear these,” he said shyly.

Azaan smiled lightly. “Thanks.”

After changing their shoes, both of them walked further inside. Viki pointed toward the sofa.

“Sit here for a minute. I’ll bring water.”

Azaan nodded and sat down, watching Viki disappear into the kitchen. His eyes unknowingly followed every small movement Viki made. Somehow, even the silence between them didn’t feel awkward anymore.

A few moments later, Viki returned holding a glass of water. But while walking back, a little water accidentally spilled onto the floor. Lost in thought, Viki didn’t notice it beneath his feet.

The moment he stepped on it, his body slipped suddenly.

“Viki!”

Azaan instantly rushed forward and caught him before he could hit the ground. The glass nearly fell from Viki’s hand as he grabbed Azaan tightly out of fear.

For a second, everything became still.

Viki’s heartbeat raced wildly as he realized how close they were. Azaan’s arm was wrapped firmly around his waist, protecting him. Their faces were only inches apart.

“You okay?” Azaan asked softly, his voice filled with concern.

Viki tried to stand properly, but pain shot through his ankle immediately. He winced quietly.

“I think… I twisted it,” he whispered.

Azaan’s expression changed instantly. Worry filled his eyes.

“Why are you trying to walk carelessly?” he scolded gently, though his voice carried more concern than anger.

Without waiting for an answer, Azaan carefully held Viki’s arm around his shoulder and slowly guided him toward the bedroom. Every step Viki took made him hiss in pain, and every small sound made Azaan even more worried.

Once they reached the room, Azaan helped him sit on the bed carefully.

“Don’t move,” he said firmly before quickly searching for a medical kit nearby.

Viki quietly watched him moving around the room. No one had ever worried about him like this before. Somehow, seeing Azaan panic for him made his chest feel warm.

Azaan finally found the medical kit and sat beside him on the bed. He took out a small bottle of pain relief oil and poured some onto his palm.

“This might sting a little,” he murmured.

Before Viki could respond, Azaan gently lifted his injured leg and placed it carefully on his lap.

Viki froze instantly.

The closeness made his breathing uneven. He could feel the warmth of Azaan’s hands against his skin as the other boy slowly massaged the oil onto his ankle. His touch was unbelievably soft and careful, as though Viki was something precious that could break easily.

The room became silent except for the sound of their breathing.

At one point, Viki looked down at Azaan. The serious expression on his face while taking care of him made his heart beat faster than before.

As if sensing the gaze, Azaan slowly looked up too.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them looked away.

For a few seconds, it felt like the entire world around them had disappeared.

Then Azaan suddenly cleared his throat and looked down again, trying to hide the strange nervousness in his chest.

After finishing, he carefully placed Viki’s leg back on the bed and adjusted the pillow behind him.

“You need proper rest,” Azaan said quietly. “And don’t walk around too much.”

Azaan noticed him staring and tilted his head slightly.

“What?”

“Nothing,” Viki quickly replied, looking away.

A small smile appeared on Azaan’s lips.

A few minutes later, Azaan stood up to leave. Before going, he gently pulled the blanket over Viki and switched off the bright room light, leaving only the dim bedside lamp glowing softly.

“Sleep well,” he whispered.

Viki looked at him silently before saying, “Thank you, Azaan… really.”

Azaan smiled again and slowly walked out of the room.

After closing the front door behind him, the smile on his face slowly disappeared. His mind was still completely occupied with thoughts about Viki.

What if his pain gets worse?

Did he eat properly?

Why am I worrying this much…?

Azaan suddenly stopped walking when realization hit him.

“My phone…”

He remembered leaving it near Viki’s bed. For a moment, he thought about going back. But when he imagined Viki finally sleeping peacefully, he decided not to disturb him and returned home instead.

Back inside the bedroom, Viki noticed a phone lying beside the pillow. Curious, he picked it up and switched on the screen.

The wallpaper made him freeze.

It was a photo of Azaan smiling brightly under the sunlight.

Without realizing it, Viki stared at the screen for a long time. His fingers gently brushed against the image.

A soft smile slowly appeared on his lips.

“Idiot…” he whispered quietly, though his voice carried unexpected affection.

That night, both of them fell asleep thinking about each other.

The next morning, Viki’s ankle felt much better. After getting ready, he slowly walked toward college.

As he entered through the gate, he noticed Azaan standing with his friend Sam near the corridor, laughing brightly about something.

For some reason, seeing Azaan smile so freely made Viki stop walking for a second.

A strange feeling settled inside his chest.

At the same time, an old memory suddenly flashed through his mind — memories of someone he once trusted deeply before life slowly changed him.

The flashback disappeared quickly when the school bell rang loudly.

Later, Viki entered Azaan’s class quietly. The moment Azaan saw him standing near the door, relief flashed across his face. After taken the attendance, Viki left for his next class.

Only then did he realize how worried he had been since morning.

After classes started again, break time finally arrived. Wanting to check on Viki once more, Azaan went searching for him near the canteen.

But Viki wasn’t there.

Azaan checked the library.

Then the playground.

Then the empty corridors.

Still no sign of him.

Fear slowly began filling his chest.

His thoughts immediately turned dark.

What if he fainted again?

What if he’s hurt somewhere?

By the time he searched almost the entire school, panic was clearly visible on his face. His breathing became shaky, and his eyes looked close to tears.

Then suddenly—

“Hey…”

A soft familiar voice called out from behind him.

Azaan froze instantly before slowly turning around.