It was almost eleven o'clock at night. The house was starting to get quiet. Their father and stepmother had been asleep since ten, and the atmosphere was starting to calm down.
Raka was lying on the bed scrolling through TikTok, earphones plugged in only one ear. His hands were swiping randomly across the screen, but his mind wasn't focused. It wasn't because the videos were boring... but because of a new habit that had recently become addictive.
Peeping at Kirana.
Not in a creepy way, though. But every night, there's always an accidental moment that catches his eye.
Like tonight.
The sound of soft footsteps from the hallway made Raka immediately sit up and take off his earphones. His bedroom door was unlocked. And when he looked outside—his eyes widened.
Kirana emerged from her room wearing only a light blue housedress. The material was thin, the style loose, but enough to highlight the curves of her body that didn't need explaining.
Raka immediately swallowed. Slowly.
Raka (whispering softly): "Oh my gosh, Sis... why are you out at this hour..."
The dress was only knee-length. Kirana's hair was tied in a messy bun, but that made it even more... oh. She looked like she'd been lying down, but she was thirsty, or maybe hungry. Because Kirana was walking towards the kitchen.
From behind his dimly lit room, Raka peeked through the open door. His eyes automatically followed Kirana's movements from the hallway to the kitchen. Her voices were faintly audible: the refrigerator being opened, glasses being prepared, and mineral water being poured.
And when Kirana turned around—their eyes met.
Kirana (thoughtfully): "Oh my gosh... is he watching?"
But Kirana pretended not to see. She walked casually back to her room, as if nothing had happened. But Raka clearly noticed her movements slowing slightly. Kirana felt like she was being watched. And she didn't deny it.
Raka could only gape from behind his half-open door. His breathing was a little heavy, not because he was tired, but because his heart was suddenly working overtime.
Raka (mutter): "Did he do it on purpose? No way… Really…"
But that night, the image of that light blue housedress wouldn't leave Raka's mind. Even when he finally closed the door and lay down again, his eyes couldn't fully close.
---
A few minutes later.
Kirana had just entered her room. She sat in front of the dressing table, doing her daily skincare routine. But something was different.
Her mind was… disturbed.
Kirana (speaking softly into the mirror): "Why is he looking at me like that…"
Her hand was applying toner to her cheek, but her mind was on Raka's eyes. Those eyes that had been mischievous and noisy before were now more mature. Something had changed since his birthday last week.
Raka used to be just a naughty kid. Now… a young man who was getting taller, his eyes were getting sharper, and… he was making her heart race more often.
Kirana (grumbling softly): "Why did I leave my room without changing..."
But part of her didn't regret it either. Because oddly enough, she didn't feel uncomfortable being stared at by Raka. In fact... there was a small part of her that liked it. Really liked it.
---
The next morning.
Raka went down to the kitchen early. No one was there yet. But he found a cup of warm tea on the dining table. Teh tarik, his favorite.
Beside it, there was a small post-it note that read:
"Don't stay up too late, you noisy kid. — K."
Raka smiled broadly.
Raka (inwardly): "You're looking at me too, Sis..."
That morning the house was a little quiet. Raka was already sitting at the dining table, sipping the teh tarik Kirana had made. There was still a small post-it note stuck to the glass:
"Don't stay up too late, you noisy kid. —K"
Her smile hadn't faded from last night. Thin housedress. Messy bun. Slightly white thighs. Everything was still playing in her head.
Raka (talking to himself quietly): "Noisy kid, huh... But you still made me tea, Sis."
Suddenly, Kirana appeared from the stairs, tying up her hair. This time, she was wearing an oversized hoodie and shorts. She still looked cute. But different from last night—now she looked a little stiff.
Kirana (cold, half-avoiding her gaze): "What are you doing sitting there so early in the morning like you won a lottery?"
Raka (smiling widely): "Have some love tea from Sis Kirana."
Kirana pulled up a chair and sat down without comment. But her cheeks were red. Raka knew she'd been hit.
Raka (grinning mischievously): "The tea is delicious. But the post-it notes are what's making my heart race."
Kirana (still acting indifferent): "Oh, so you don't fall asleep at two o'clock all the time. Your brain's starting to go crazy, huh?"
Raka: "What's wrong? What are you doing to see me doing something crazy?"
Kirana turned her head slowly, her eyes narrowed.
Kirana: "Seeing me at eleven at night in a thin nightgown... that's crazy enough."
Raka immediately chuckled, grinning guiltlessly.
Raka: "Well... the eyes don't lie. And... what should I do, Sis... it's not my fault you're so handsome."
Kirana glared, but couldn't bring herself to get angry. Especially when she saw Raka's innocent but meaningful smile.
Kirana: "Raka..."
Raka (slowly, but clearly): "Yes, Sis?"
Kirana: "Next time... don't look at me like that, okay?"
Raka (lowers, then glances mischievously): "Okay. Next time I'll just record it."
Kirana: "RAKA!"
Raka (quickly stands up, laughing): "Just kidding, Sis! Oh my gosh, you're so serious..."
Kirana grabs a small pillow from the chair and throws it at Raka, who runs up the stairs laughing. But as soon as he's out of sight, Kirana sighs softly.
Kirana (quietly): "This is bad... he's getting crazier... and I'm getting weaker."
---
Afternoon.
Raka is lying on the living room sofa, playing with his phone. Suddenly, Kirana comes downstairs with a laptop and some books.
Kirana: "Rak, do you have a power outlet here?"
Raka (still playing with his phone): "Yes. But if you want to plug it in, you have to pay tax."
Kirana: "Tax?"
Raka (smiles slyly): "Kiss me on the cheek first, then you can plug it in."
Kirana: "Dream on!"
Raka: "Fine, just plug it in the kitchen. But your cable's too short, right?"
Kirana glared. But finally, she sighed and sat next to Raka, plugging in the laptop on the edge of the table. They sat quite close together. Raka's breathing was slow, but his eyes kept peeking at her.
Kirana (without looking): "Don't look at me like that."
Raka: "How could I see it?"
Kirana (whispering slightly): "Like... you want to eat me alive."
Raka (smiles slightly): "Maybe so."
Kirana didn't answer. But her fingers stopped typing. The atmosphere became awkward. Her breathing slowed. Their eyes met. Neither said a word. But both of their hearts were racing.
Raka (quietly): "Sis... last night... you realized I was watching, right?"
Kirana: "Yes. I realized."
Raka: "And you... didn't go straight into the room."
Kirana: "Because I wanted to know... whether you'd keep watching or not."
Raka: "And... if I kept watching?"
Kirana (quietly): "Maybe... I'll keep walking slowly."
At that moment, Raka wanted to kiss her. But he held back. Not yet. It was still too soon. But the feeling... was getting harder to control.
---
Later that night.
Raka was sitting on the balcony of his room, idly scribbling on his phone notes. Suddenly, soft footsteps came from the stairs.
Kirana appeared again.
Wearing... the same house dress.
That thin, light blue house dress.
Raka (quietly): "Again, Sis? Really?"
Kirana (smiles casually): "Again, Rak. So you can see again."
Raka (surprised): "Wow... you did that on purpose."
Kirana: "Maybe."
Raka: "It's dangerous."
Kirana (approaching): "Are you really dangerous, Rak?"
Raka: "It depends... whether you want to be teased or not."
Kirana (standing in front of Raka's door): "If I stay quiet, does that mean I want to?"
Raka: "Then I have to tease you slowly, so you don't run away."
Kirana smiled slightly, then went into her room. But she left the door ajar. As if giving a signal.
And that night, Raka couldn't sleep.
---
A few days later.
Kirana started wearing that house dress more often at night. And each time, Raka felt less and less able. But he held back. It wasn't time yet.
The chemistry between them was getting stronger. Eye contact, smiles, brief touches of hands as they fought over the TV remote. It was all getting more and more crazy.
But neither of them dared to make the first move.
Not yet.
They both knew... one wrong move would be impossible to turn back.
But they also knew that if things continued like this... everything would explode at any moment.